mulkey « Search Results

Search Results

Apr

2013

Lady Bears’ loss brings out showings of support from Baylor family

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Alumni, Athletics, Student life

If anything good came from the Lady Bears’ stinging one-point loss to Louisville on Sunday night in the Sweet 16, it was seeing how the Baylor family rose up together in support of the program and its student-athletes.

In fact, in the 48 or so hours since the loss, I have yet to see a single person knocking the women in any way. Instead, I’ve seen hundreds of tweets, Facebook posts, etc. commending the Lady Bears for their efforts — including comments from some of Baylor’s most prominent alumni.

NFL Rookie of the Year Robert Griffin III, BA ’10, went off in defense of his fellow Bears via Twitter, attracting even the attention of Texas Monthly (who described RG3′s comments as “unfiltered, angry and fiercely Baylor proud”). For example:

Whew…..ok I took my time to calm down and not go off on twitter about the Baylor Girls Basketball game….BUT I CAN’T DO IT!!!!!

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 1, 2013

NBA first-round pick Perry Jones III was in attendance at the game and was comforting the Lady Bears in person after the game (that’s him with Odyssey Sims at right in a great photo taken by the Dallas Morning News‘ Vernon Bryant).

ESPN studio host Trey Wingo, BA ’85, kept it short and sweet Sunday night:

Baylor, we are. Forever proud of @brittney4griner and @kimmulkey

— trey wingo (@wingoz) April 1, 2013

University President Ken Starr was among those in Oklahoma City cheering loudly for the Lady Bears, and he, too, joined the voices of support in an email to the entire Baylor family. “We salute this magnificent team,” he wrote. “These student-athletes — and their coaches — will forever be remembered by Baylor Nation — and indeed, the entire country.”

HLN anchor Richelle Carey, St. Louis Ram Terrance Ganaway, Seattle Mariner Kelly Shoppach, and others were also vocal in support of the Baylor players and coaches. This tweet from a current Baylor student seemed to sum up the night:

SO much baylor love on my TL right now. Just goes to show how much of a family we are and how all students will always be @baylorproud

— Tessa Espinoza (@tesshuhh) April 1, 2013

Sic ’em, Lady Bears and the entire Baylor family!

[Another way to show your support for the Lady Bears? A gift of $5, $15 or $50 to the Baylor Bear Foundation Endowed Athletic Scholarship Fund.]

Mar

2013

Griner’s 3 dunks lead top-ranked Lady Bears to fifth straight Sweet 16

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Athletics, Honors, Photo Galleries, Videos

Brittney Griner waves to fans after final game in Waco

From the outset Tuesday night, it was clear that Brittney Griner wanted to put on a show in her final game in the Ferrell Center — especially after learning there was a special guest in the house.

With former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, in attendance, Griner scored 33 points, pulled down 22 rebounds, and became the first woman in NCAA history to dunk three times in a game as the No. 1-seeded Baylor women’s basketball team beat Florida State, 85-47.

With this victory and the Lady Bears’ opening round win over Prairie View A&M, Baylor advanced to a fifth straight Sweet 16 (the eighth in Kim Mulkey’s 13 years at Baylor).

[LINKS: Highlights from ESPN, including Griner's 3 dunks || Photos from Baylor Photography and the AP || Griner & Mulkey reflect on the seniors' final home game || President Obama picks Baylor to win it all || Players do their best Mulkey impersonations || Jalen Rose on Brittney Griner's numbers || Griner's 15th career dunk || Baylor/Sweet 16 t-shirt available from the Baylor Bookstore]

Over the last four years, Baylor’s senior class of Griner, Nae-Nae Hayden, Jordan Madden, Brooklyn Pope and Destiny Williams led the Lady Bears to an astounding 72-2 record in the Ferrell Center. But their final goal still awaits; they hope to leave with back-to-back national championships — something only three other schools have ever accomplished (Southern Cal, Tennessee and UConn).

Next up for the Lady Bears: 16th-ranked Louisville on Sunday in Oklahoma City, with the winner of that game facing either Tennessee or Oklahoma Tuesday in OKC. Baylor has sold-out of its allotment of tickets for the regional, but fans may purchase seats directly from the Chesapeake Energy Arena web site. Gameday bus trips from Waco to OKC and back are also available for both games from Anthony Travel.

In Oklahoma City, Baylor fans can join the Baylor Alumni Network for send-off parties at the team hotel (the Skirvin Hilton) 90 minutes prior to each game, as well as a pep rally at the hotel from 8-9 p.m. April 1 if the women advance to the Elite Eight.

Sic ’em, Lady Bears!

Mar

2013

Lady Bears named NCAA tourney’s No.1 overall seed for second straight year

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Athletics, Honors, Videos

Lady Bears named No. 1 seed

Big 12 regular season champs.
Big 12 tournament champs.
The unanimous No. 1 team in the country.
The nation’s No. 1 seed entering the NCAA tournament.

That was the formula the Baylor Lady Bears followed on the way to the national championship a year ago, and it’s the path head coach Kim Mulkey’s squad has charted again this year, having been named a No. 1 seed yet again when the NCAA bracket was announced Monday night on ESPN.

[LINKS: Full NCAA bracket || ESPN experts each pick Baylor to win it all || ESPN analyzes Baylor's region || Griner's live ESPN interview || Pictures from the selection show gathering]

The Lady Bears will host first- and second-round action in the Ferrell Center March 24 and 26. Baylor will play SWAC tournament champion Prairie View A&M on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN2; the winner of that game will face the winner of Florida State and Princeton on Tuesday the 26th at 8:30 p.m. CT.

Mulkey’s team enters the tournament at 32-1, having claimed both the Big 12 regular season and tournament titles for the third straight year. Baylor also swept Big 12 Coach (Mulkey) and Player (Brittney Griner) of the Year honors for the third year in a row; led by that pair, the Lady Bears have gone an astounding 106-4 over the past three seasons.

Are you ready for March Madness? Tickets are on sale now, as is Lady Bear Big 12 Champion gear from the Baylor Bookstore.

Sic ’em, Lady Bears!

Mar

2013

Lady Bears sweep Big 12 regular season, tournament titles for third straight year

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Athletics, Honors, Photo Galleries, Videos

Baylor Lady Bears Big 12 Tournament champs

Across all 23 sports, in the history of the Big 12 Conference, just four teams have managed to sweep both the regular season and tournament conference titles three years running. Three of those four are from Baylor.

Baylor women’s basketball became the latest team to accomplish the feat, beating Iowa State Monday night to win the 2013 Big 12 tournament, the program’s fifth postseason conference title.

[LINKS: Video from Baylor Athletics || Photos from Baylor Photography and the AP || ESPN: "Baylor's ready for the Big Dance"]

For those keeping track, here’s what head coach Kim Mulkey’s resume now looks like:

5 national titles (two as a player, one as an assistant coach, two as Baylor’s head coach)
5-time Big 12 coach of the year
14 Final Fours (four as player, seven as assistant, three at Baylor)
24 Sweet 16s (four as player, 13 as assistant, seven at Baylor)
9 Big 12 championships (four regular season, five tournament)

I could go on, but I think you get the idea. We’re blessed to have one of the best here at Baylor.

[Get your Lady Bears gear here, including 2013 Big 12 Champion t-shirts.]

The Lady Bears now have to wait until Monday night (6 p.m. CT, ESPN) to learn what their NCAA tournament bracket will look like. This we do know: Baylor University will host the first and second rounds in Waco March 24-26; tickets are available now.

Sic ’em, Lady Bears!

[In case you were wondering, the four teams to sweep both Big 12 titles three straight years: Texas women's tennis (1997-98-99-00), Baylor men's tennis (2002-03-04-05), Baylor women's tennis (2008-09-10-11) and Baylor women's basketball (2011-12-13).]

Mar

2013

Mulkey, Griner sweep Big 12 Coach/Player of the Year honors for third straight year

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Athletics, Honors

Kim Mulkey and Brittney Griner In the nearly 20-year history of the Big 12 Conference, no coach in any of the Big-Four sports (football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, baseball) had ever won three straight Coach of the Year honors — until Thursday, when the Baylor Lady Bears’ Kim Mulkey was so honored.

Only one player in that time, across all four sports, had ever been named Big 12 Player of the Year three times — Oklahoma women’s basketball’s Courtney Paris. That number is now two, as the Lady Bears’ Brittney Griner claimed her third straight trophy this week.

Griner was also named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year for the fourth straight year and was joined by junior guard Odyssey Sims on the All-Big 12 First Team (Sims’ third straight first-team selection). Seniors Jordan Madden, Kimetria Hayden and Brooklyn Pope were each named All-Big 12 Honorable Mention. Griner and Sims also made the All-Defensive Team, while senior Destiny Williams received the Sixth Man Award and Alexis Prince made the All-Freshman Team.

With their third straight Big 12 regular season title already in the bag, the Lady Bears will now look to extend their Big 12 tournament championship run to three straight years as well. Baylor will face either Kansas State or Texas in the tournament quarterfinals Saturday at 1:30 p.m. on FSN.

Sic ’em, Lady Bears!

Feb

2013

Lady Bears celebrate third straight Big 12 title by beating No. 2 UConn on the road

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Athletics, Honors, Videos

Brittney Griner and Rebecca Lobo You know your program has reached a new level when you can win a conference title, then beat the No. 2 team in the country on their own court, and barely bat an eye.

That’s Baylor women’s basketball for you. When Oklahoma and Iowa State each lost on Sunday, the Lady Bears clinched their third straight Big 12 regular season championship (and fourth overall) — with more than two weeks left to go in the season.

The next night, Baylor had to face UConn (ranked No. 2 in one poll and No. 3 in another) on the road in front of 16,000+ Huskies fans. Head coach Kim Mulkey’s squad showed why they are the No. 1 team in the country for the seventh straight week, however, fighting back from an 11-point first-half deficit to win 76-70. [See video highlights from Sic 'Em Sports and ESPN.]

An added bonus from the game: Brittney Griner became just the eighth woman (and 15th person) in NCAA Division I history to score 3,000 career points. At her current pace, Griner (pictured being interviewed postgame by ESPN’s Rebecca Lobo) is on pace to finish her career second all-time in NCAA D-1 career scoring.

If you want to see Griner play in Waco, you’ve only got two more chances guaranteed: this Saturday, when Baylor hosts Texas and will celebrate the 2013 Big 12 title; and March 4, when the Lady Bears host Kansas State in the regular season finale.

Sic ’em, Lady Bears!

Nov

2012

2012-13 Baylor Meritorious Achievement Award winners to be honored at Homecoming

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Alumni, Honors

Baylor Alumnus of the Year Medal One of the things I enjoy most about writing this blog is researching the variety of ways in which members of the Baylor family are leading and serving, all over the world and across most any field you can think of.

Baylor’s 2012-13 Meritorious Achievement Awards honor some of those outstanding Bears. We’ve covered many of them recently — Philip Gunn, Steve Green, Ray Perryman, and of course Kim Mulkey spring to mind — while this may be the first time you’ve read about others. (Click on each honoree’s name to learn more in features from the latest issue of Baylor Magazine.)

* Alumnus of the Year: John Eddie Williams Jr., BBA ’76, JD ’78, founder and managing partner of the law firm Williams Kherkher and a Baylor Stadium Founder.

* Young Alumnus of the Year: Jay Brown, BBA ’95, CFO of Crown Castle International and a passionate supporter of organizations providing care for orphans and developing solutions for clean drinking water.

* Pro Texana Medal of Service: Philip Gunn, BBA ’85, a leader in the legislative efforts of his home state as Speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives.

* Pro Ecclesia Medal of Service: Billy Graham, an esteemed Baptist evangelist who has preached the Gospel to more people in live audiences than anyone else in history.

* Pro Ecclesia Medal of Service: Steve Green, Hobby Lobby president who has given BU faculty and students research access to his family’s collection of rare biblical artifacts.

* Business and Commerce Medal of Service: Dr. Ray Perryman, BS ’74, a popular former Baylor professor and past nominee for the Nobel Prize in Economics.

* Business Leadership Medal of Service: Danny Prince, BA ’73, Paramount Healthcare president who has partnered with Baylor to help prepare students for the care of older adults.

* Medal of Service for Contributions to the Professions: Hospital Administration: Boone Powell Jr., BBA ’59, longtime president and CEO of the Baylor Health Care System.

* Medal of Service for Contributions to the Professions: Healthcare Administration: Jon Foster, BBA ’84, president of Southwest Group of HCA, the nation’s leading provider of healthcare services.

* Baylor Legendary Mentor: Kim Mulkey, the Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer who has led the Lady Bears to two national titles and 328 wins in 11 seasons at Baylor.

* Baylor Legacy Award: Ed, BBA ’73, and Denise Crenshaw, dedicated philanthropists who helped build Baylor’s Ed Crenshaw Student Foundation Building and generously support scholarships at Baylor.

* Baylor Legacy Award: Paul, BBA ’79, and Alejandra Foster, Baylor Stadium Founders and active supporters of education who also provided funding for Baylor’s Paul L. Foster Success Center.

* Baylor Legacy Award: Mark Hurd, BBA ’79, president of Oracle Corporation who has given generously to develop the Hurd Tennis Center on campus.

* Baylor Legacy Award: Anita Collier Jones, BA ’61, whose lifelong commitment to scholarship support has long aided Baylor students.

* Baylor Founders Medal: Drayton McLane Jr., BBA ’58, who has supported projects from the carillon bells of Pat Neff Hall to student scholarships and student life, most recently including the naming gift for Baylor Stadium.

Sic ’em, Bears!

Oct

2012

Lady Bears will open as nation’s No. 1 team for second straight year

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Athletics, Honors

Brittney Griner For the second year in a row, the Baylor Lady Bears will begin the season as the nation’s No. 1-ranked team.

Associated Press voters made the defending national champions the first Big 12 women’s basketball team ever to start consecutive seasons at No. 1 in the poll. Head coach Kim Mulkey’s squad received all 40 first-place votes and have now sat at No. 1 in 20 consecutive polls.

And really, how could you not? Baylor returns all five starters from last year’s team that went 40-0, including All-Americans Odyssey Sims and Destiny Williams and consensus national player of the year Brittney Griner.

The Lady Bears will face another tough road to the championship. Last year, Baylor faced the preseason Nos. 2, 3 and 4 teams (Notre Dame, Tennessee and UConn before Christmas; this year’s non-conference schedule includes No. 2 UConn, No. 4 Stanford, No. 6 Kentucky, No. 7 Notre Dame and No. 20 Tennessee, plus No. 12 Oklahoma, No. 17 West Virginia and No. 23 Oklahoma State waiting in Big 12 play.

Baylor’s title defense (and run at the program’s third national championship) begins Friday, Nov. 9, when the Lady Bears host Lamar at noon on Fox Sports Southwest.

Sic ’em, Lady Bears!

Sep

2012

Seven Baylor head coaches now the winningest in program history

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Athletics, Honors

Baylor soccer coach Marci Jobson at right With the addition of baseball’s Steve Smith and soccer’s Marci Jobson, seven Baylor head coaches are now the winningest coach in their program’s history.

In April, Smith, BSED ’86, set a new record for not just Baylor baseball but for any sport at Baylor with his 650th career win. Approaching his 19th season as head coach at Baylor, Smith has a career record of 668-432 and has led the Bears to 13 NCAA postseason appearances, including four Super Regionals and a College World Series.

Earlier this month, Jobson set a new Baylor soccer record for career wins, passing the program’s first head coach, Randy Waldrum, with her 47th victory. Jobson (pictured at far right) is now 48-28-15 in her fifth season at the helm of the Bears. The former U.S. National Team member led Baylor back to the NCAA tournament last fall for the first time since 1999, and she has the Bears on track to return to the postseason again this year.

Smith and Jobson joined volleyball’s Jim Barnes, men’s tennis’ Matt Knoll, softball’s Glenn Moore, women’s basketball’s Kim Mulkey and women’s tennis’ Joey Scrivano as active head coaches who hold their programs’ record for career wins. (In case you’re wondering, Scott Drew is second in Baylor men’s basketball history, and Art Briles is seventh among BU football coaches.)

Sic ’em, Baylor coaches!

Sep

2012

New Baylor commercial debuts during victory over SMU

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Just for Fun, Videos

Well that’s a nice way to start the week — first the 59-24 win over SMU in the Baylor football season opener, followed by a day off for Labor Day!

Speaking of the game… Did you catch the new Baylor commercial during the broadcast?

I heard a few questions from viewers wondering about some of the scenes, asking who those people were or where the scenes were shot. Click through for a quick rundown after break.

(more…)