Big Weekend for Baylor Basketball

It is exciting to note, that as March arrives, both the men’s and women’s basketball teams have terrifically significant games yet to play. Although we have quickly become accustomed to having Coach Kim’s teams roll into the March Madness season with Big 12 Championships and NCAA Tournament seedings at stake, we are now doubly blessed with tournament implications at stake for Coach Drew’s bunch as well. The men (68-57) and the women (76-62) each defeated Colorado Wednesday night. This was particularly important to the men’s program as it was a road win and gave the Bears some separation from what had been a four-way tie for 4^th place in the Big 12. The women’s victory preserved a one game lead for first place in the Big 12 over Oklahoma and Kansas State.

Now here is how the drama unfolds for the two teams beginning this weekend: The Ladies travel to College Station to play the defending Big 12 champs Texas A&M on Saturday. This game is huge in that it is our last truly tough opponent in the regular season. We have swept the three games against 2^nd place Oklahoma and Kansas State and will not see them again until the Big 12 Tournament. Therefore, a victory against the very tough A&M team will preserve our lead for the championship of the Big 12 and put us in great stead to claim the title with the remaining game against Oklahoma State. So important is the A&M game that Friends of Baylor is chartering busses and purchasing tickets for students to send them to College Station Saturday to support the Lady Bears.

The men currently have a 7-6 record in league play and a victory against Missouri at home this weekend could arguably qualify us for a NCAA Tournament bid and will guaranty that we will not have a losing record in Big 12 play, a first! With a road game against Texas Tech and a home finale against Texas A&M remaining, both of whom we have beaten this year, the Bears have an opportunity to really solidify a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

The excitement and entertainment value of our collective basketball programs is immeasurable. What great coaches, what great student-athletes, what a great March Madness for Baylor University!

Sic’em Bears and Lady Bears!

Friends of Baylor at Work

Just so you know that Friends of Baylor puts its “money where its mouth is” in supporting Baylor, here are some of our most recent projects:

1. Chartering busses and purchasing tickets for Lady Bears game at A&M
2. Catering dinner for men’s basketball team and buying restaurant gift certificates
     for coaching staff as encouragement after heart breaking loss to Oklahoma
3. Chartering busses for students for men’s basketball game at Texas
4. Raising over $60,000 to complete Kyle Woods house for Coach Teaff
5. Delivering 200 roses to Coach Kim to commemorate her 200^th win
6. Sponsoring Coach Drew’s summer “Elite” basketball camp
7. Sponsoring Baylor sports radio coverage through “Grant Teaff” radio spots
8. Providing funds for finishing out volleyball Coach Jim Burn’s offices

Of course the individual members of the Steering Committee of Friends of Baylor also respond generously to the major capital campaigns of the University. It is difficult to navigate the Baylor campus without seeing the names of Robinson, Getterman, Hawkins, Bailey, Gray, Stone, Livesay, Scott, Robbins, Byrd, Crenshaw, Dorr and Manning displayed on a project. Friends of Baylor is about giving and supporting Baylor unconditionally. We are grateful for Baylor, its distinctive Christian mission, and the opportunity to support the University.

Ian McCaw in Big “D”

Baylor Business Network Breakfast, March 4^th

All of you Dallas area fans don’t miss Baylor Athletic Director, Ian McCaw, at the Baylor Business Network Breakfast next Tuesday morning. Ian is one of the hottest AD’s in the country with two National Championship’s, sixteen Big 12 Championships under his belt and every single Baylor sport nationally ranked this spring. Ian is a terrific ambassador for Baylor as his spiritual witness matches his competence in governing Baylor athletics. Come support the Baylor Business Network and hear about this exciting era in Baylor sports. Click here for more information.

Baylor Black Alumni Event

Another interesting event for your calendar is the 10^th Annual Dr. Vivienne Malone – Mays Scholarship Luncheon on April 5^th at the Hughes-Dillard Alumni Center. Sponsored by the Baylor Black Alumni Club the guest speaker will be the Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court, Wallace B. Jefferson. Click here for more information.