Friends of Baylor: August 30, 2004

Jeremy Wariner ran a 44 flat 400-meter race to lead the U.S. to a 1-2-3 finish at the Olympics. Teammate Darold Williamson joined Jeremy and anchored the 1600-meter relay that also claimed gold for the U.S. Coach Clyde Hart has once again produced not only the greatest sprinters in the Olympics (for the 3rd straight time) but also blessed Baylor with mega doses of great publicity. The Michael Johnson – Jeremy Wariner – Darold Williamson – Clyde Hart – Baylor connection story must have aired a thousand times all over the world. And most importantly for Baylor, it was a good story!! God Bless you Coach, Jeremy, Darold and Michael too. Your crowns are our crowns.

Baylor lost one of its greatest teachers when Ray Wilson unexpectedly died July 9 while on a study-abroad program in Rome. Ray was famous for successfully preparing pre-med candidates as well as keeping Tri-C/Phi Delta Theta on campus while serving as the fraternity’s faculty sponsor.

Ray was also this author’s personal friend and traveled with him to Europe (at Ray’s expense) while a poor Baylor student 30 years ago. Ray was a member of the Faculty Senate and courageous in his support of Vision 2012. Thank you Ray from a whole lotta Baylorites. (See tribute in Baylor Magazine)

http://www.baylormag.com/story.php?story=005288
http://www.baylormag.com/story.php?story=005289

This fall marks the 30th anniversary of Baylor’s upset of the University of Texas and its ultimate SWC Football Championship. FOB Steering Committee member, Coach Grant Teaff, was the author of that victory and is featured in a terrific article in the Baylor Magazine. (click here to read: http://www.baylormag.com/story.php?story=005274) The greatest aspect of Coach Teaff’s miracle was that, thereafter, beating Texas didn’t require a miracle, he applied it regularly. FOB Co-Chairman Neal Jeffrey guided that team and continues to be remembered by that singular event. Speaking from the pulpit of Prestonwood Baptist Church where he was honored yesterday for 20 years of service, it was the video of that ’74 game that captured the church audiences’ attention. That audience represented a bigger crowd than some of the games Neal played in (pre-Teaff)! Thanks Coach and Neal for the memories!

Speaking of Baylor Magazine, the edition out off the presses with the “Miracle on the Brazos” cover is a must read item. Cover to cover, it is filled with wonderful articles that celebrate all aspects of Baylor life. From sports, to Deans, to students to alums, it is interesting, encouraging and praise the Lord, not political! Congrats to editor Vicki Marsh Kabat and her staff for creating such a positive product.

BAYLOR BEARS VS. U.A.B.

Coach Guy Morriss and the Baylor Bears kick-off at 6:00 P.M., Saturday, September 4th in Birmingham Alabama to begin the 2004 Football Campaign. The Bears will return to Floyd Casey Stadium the next Saturday for 6:00 P.M. kick-off against Texas State. Coach Morriss is going to “get us there” so lets support him. Speaking of support, congratulations to Baylor Bear Foundation President and FOB Steering Committee member Joel Thompson for a highly successful Bear Foundation Fund Drive. See story in The Insider.

With the new school year beginning, it’s a great time to “rededicate” ourselves to support the Baylor students. This time a year ago was rough, but God is good, Baylor is stronger, and her opportunities are bright. Lets do all we can to make sure these wonderful students on campus have a fabulous experience this year. Encourage all of Baylor’s leadership to focus on one agenda, the best interests of these students. A simple agenda of “less agendas” could be very powerful. How about giving it a try guys?

Sic ’em Bears!

Friends of Baylor
support@friendsofbaylor.com