Baylor Proud

Mar

2013

Men’s basketball headed to postseason for 5th time in 6 years following NIT bid

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Athletics, Honors

Pierre Jackson For the fifth time since 2008, Baylor men’s basketball is headed to the postseason.

The Bears are a No. 2 seed in the NIT and will host Big West Conference regular season champ Long Beach State in first-round action Wednesday at 8 p.m. CT. Tickets are on sale now; season ticket holders can reserve their same seats between now and Monday at 2 p.m., and like in the regular season, students get in for free. If you can’t make it to Waco, you can watch on ESPN2.

The bracket is lined up such that, if the higher seeds win as expected, the Bears would have a rematch with Kentucky in the quarterfinals; Baylor beat UK in December in Lexington to end the Wildcats’ 54-game home winning streak.

Head coach Scott Drew’s squad made a valiant late-season push for the NCAA tournament, pounding No. 3-ranked Kansas and playing both No. 13 Kansas State and No. 14 Oklahoma State close. (Both BaylorBears.com and ESPN.com made outstanding arguments why Baylor deserved strong consideration.) But in the end, gut-wrenching losses to those two squads (with 1 second to go vs. KSU and 2 seconds left vs. OSU) kept the Bears from making the NCAA’s field of 68.

Instead, Baylor is headed to the NIT for the first time since 2009, when Tweety Carter, LaceDarius Dunn, Curtis Jerrells, Josh Lomers and Kevin Rogers (with Quincy Acy, Henry Dugat, Mamadou Diene and Anthony Jones coming off the bench) led the No. 3 seed Bears to the NIT Championship Game at Madison Square Garden.

The postseason bid continues the program’s longest period of sustained success. Before Drew’s arrival in Waco, the Bears had reached the postseason just seven times in 101 years (4 NCAA bids, 3 NIT). In the past six years, Baylor has now advanced to postseason play five times (3 NCAA, 2 NIT).

Next up: the No. 1-ranked Baylor Lady Bears, who will learn the path they must take to a second straight national title Monday night. The NCAA women’s basketball selection show airs at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN; join the team for a watch party in the Ferrell Center’s Stone Room.

Sic ’em, Baylor basketball!

Mar

2013

National survey of BU alumni finds they are, indeed, Baylor Proud

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Alumni

Last fall, Baylor commissioned a national survey of its alumni to learn how BU graduates feel about their alma mater, the third in a series of regular studies. The results? Baylor alums are … well, Baylor Proud.

Baylor alumni are proud Some of the key findings from the survey:

96% of BU alumni say they are proud to be graduates of Baylor University (including the 84% who say they are “very proud”).
More than 9 out of 10 alumni say they are interested in maintaining a connection to Baylor and that it is important that Baylor work to stay in contact with them.
Almost 90% said that an alumni outreach program should be a high priority for the university.
Asked about the most important thing an alumni outreach program could do, far and away the most popular answer was ”communicate the good things happening at Baylor.”

[Click here to read the full results.]

From the beginning more than five years ago, that’s been Baylor Proud’s focus: sharing the good news about what’s going on in the Baylor community — like the Baylor family refrigerator door.

And from what you’ve reported, it sounds like you value that. 85% of alumni said Baylor does a good or excellent job communicating with its alumni, and 78% said they receive the right amount of communications from the university.

We do our best to help connect you with the university and to let you know that you’re an important part of the Baylor family, whether you live in Texas or Thailand. If you ever think there’s anything we could be doing better (or if you have a Point of Pride to share with us), use the submission form at top right — we’d love to hear from you.

Sic ’em, Baylor family!

Mar

2013

Life of Texas Governor (and Baylor alum) Ann Richards being retold on Broadway

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Alumni, Extraordinary Stories, Videos

Ann Richards play on Broadway This September would have marked Ann Richards‘ 80th birthday. Instead, the life of the Baylor alum and former Texas governor was cut short by cancer in 2006.

But her legacy lives on, most recently in a one-person play, “Ann,” which debuted on Broadway last weekend. Written by and starring Holland Taylor (perhaps best known as the mother on Two and a Half Men), “Ann” received favorable reviews following its opening Thursday. [Click here to see video from "Ann."]

Taylor spent four years researching and writing the play, as detailed in this New York Times story. In three parts, Taylor-as-Richards recounts her life growing up in Texas, relives a day as governor (one of four Baylor graduates to have governed Texas), and her life out of office.

Richards, BA ’54, is also the subject of a new book by Jan Reid. Let the People In: The Life and Times of Ann Richards benefits from the author’s long friendship with Richards, retelling her entire life story, from growing up in Waco through her final years.

Sic ’em, Gov. Richards!

Mar

2013

Robert Griffin III Day at Texas Capitol culminates in RG3 Scholarship announcement

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

Robert Griffin III in Austin

Tuesday was “RG3 Day” in Austin, as the former Baylor All-American and current Washington Redskin was honored on the floor of both the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas Senate. Senate Resolution 314 and House Concurrent Resolution 10 commended Robert Griffin III, BA ’10, for his outstanding representation of the state of Texas.

[LINKS: Video from Baylor Athletics || Pictures from Baylor Photography || Texas Monthly: "RG3: A Gentleman and a Scholar" || Houston Chronicle: "Could RG3 soon be a Texas lawmaker?"]

Senator Watson had the honor of announcing the establishment of the Robert Griffin III (RG3) Quarterback Scholarship at Baylor. To participate in this effort that honors RG3′s legacy at Baylor, visit www.baylor.edu/nation/rg3.

The events were just part of a busy week for Griffin around Central Texas that also included visiting Baylor football practice last week (along with former teammates and fellow NFL players Kendall Wright and Danny Watkins), having a street named in his honor (“Robert Griffin III Blvd.“) in his hometown of Copperas Cove, and taking in Baylor men’s basketball’s big win over Kansas (complete with pregame pep talk and his own No. 10 “electricity” jersey).

If you were ever worried about RG3 hitting the big time and forgetting about where he came from… I think you can stop fretting.

Sic ’em, RG3!

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

Men’s hoops routs No. 3 Kansas to keep postseason hopes alive

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

Fans and players celebrate Baylor's win over Kansas Saturday

Maybe it was the magic of RG3′s presence. Maybe it was the added focus of Senior Night, as Pierre Jackson and A.J. Walton played their final regular-season games on the Ferrell Center floor. Maybe it was just head coach Scott Drew’s squad clicking the way they’ve known was possible all year.

Whatever the key, the end result grabbed the nation’s attention, as Baylor men’s basketball stunned No. 3-ranked Kansas, 81-58, Saturday night at the Ferrell Center in front of a national ESPN audience.

[VIDEO/PHOTOS: Highlights from ESPN and Baylor Athletics || Pictures from Baylor Photography and the AP]

The 23-point loss was the Jayhawks’ worst in seven years and kept KU from winning the Big 12 title outright; instead, they finish tied for first with in-state rival Kansas State. Baylor, meanwhile, won its 18th game for the sixth straight season; prior to Scott Drew’s arrival, the Bears had won 18 or more games just six times in 101 years.

Will the victory be enough to get Baylor off the bubble and into the NCAA tournament? We won’t know that for another week; the NCAA selection show is March 17 at 5 p.m. CT on CBS. Between now and then, the men could likely use another win or three in the Big 12 tournament, which begins next week in Kansas City. As the No. 6 seed, the Bears will face No. 3 seed Oklahoma State in the quarterfinals Thursday at 8:30 p.m. CT (Big 12 Network).

For now, let’s enjoy this one. Jackson and Walton certainly did, combining for 40 points and 15 assists. Junior Cory Jefferson also had himself a night, with 25 points, seven rebounds, three blocks, several monster dunks, and the first three 3-pointers of his career.

Robert Griffin III, BA ’10, decked out in his own Baylor “electricity” No. 10 jersey, also seemed to be having a good time, seated right behind the BU bench. The Redskins QB was in the area after having seen his hometown of Copperas Cove dedicate a street, “Robert Griffin III Blvd.,” in his honor on Friday.

Sic ’em, Baylor basketball!

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!

Mar

2013

Whether university, healthcare system or college of medicine, Baylor name remains strong

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Just for Fun

If you’ve spent much time in Texas, you know that Baylor University isn’t the only prominent organization using the Baylor name. Most notably, the Baylor Health Care System (BHCS) in North Texas encompasses 30 hospitals that treat almost 3 million patients a year, while the Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) is annually among the nation’s very best medical schools.

Both the BHCS and BCM share their names with Baylor University because they came from Baylor University. Though functionally independent today, the three institutions are inextricably linked to one another through their shared history and vision. Recognizing their commonalities, Baylor University, Baylor Health Care System and the Baylor College of Medicine have joined forces to celebrate and reinforce the power of the Baylor name.

Over the past year, you may have noticed billboards, print advertisements and radio commercials that feature the stories of the advances and historic “firsts” at all three institutions. Included among these are the story of Baylor Law School (the first in the state to offer law classes), the story of Dr. Michael DeBakey (renowned Baylor cardiac surgeon who pioneered development of the artificial heart), and the story of Baylor nurse and First Lieutenant Mary Louise Roberts (the first woman in history to earn the Silver Star for heroic actions). [Click here to see and hear more of the ads.]

Each ad ends with the same closing line, which sums up the effort: “For more than 170 years, great institutions have shared more than a vision; they’ve shared a name. They still do: Baylor.”

Sic ’em, Baylor Health Care System, Baylor College of Medicine, and Baylor University!

You might also like:
* DeBakey legacy lives on in Baylor medical humanities scholarship (Feb. 2013)
* After merger, Baylor Scott & White Health system to be led by Baylor alums (Dec. 2012)
* Baylor University and Baylor College of Medicine ties evident in newest BCM Board appointees (Feb. 2011)

Mar

2013

Nobel Prize-winning poet goes out of his way to visit Baylor

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Academics

Seamus Heaney at Baylor New York City, Boston, Atlanta, Waco. Those were the four stops for arguably the world’s most famous living poet on his brief tour of the U.S.

Monday night, nearly 1,000 people filled Baylor’s Jones Concert Hall for a reading by Ireland’s Seamus Heaney, winner of the 1995 Nobel Prize in Literature, on his first visit to Texas since 2006. Heaney’s presentation was a special event of the 19th annual Beall Poetry Festival, which will take place at Baylor April 4-6, 2013.

Heaney has been the recipient of dozens of honors for his work, including 15 collections of poems, literary criticism, essays, translations and a play. Among his past professional titles are Professor of Poetry at Oxford University and the Ralph Waldo Emerson Writer-in-Residence at Harvard. His most recent collection of poems is Human Chain (2010). Fifty broadsides of a new Heaney poem written for the occasion, “On the Gift of a Fountain Pen,” were sold at the event.

The coordinator of Heaney’s visit, Dr. Richard Rankin Russell, authored an award-winning critical study of Heaney’s work in 2010: Poetry and Peace: Michael Longley, Seamus Heaney, and Northern Ireland. That book played a role in persuading Heaney, who was scheduled to visit Baylor a few years ago but had to cancel due to health issues, to stop at Baylor on his now infrequent trips to the U.S. Russell, the Beall Poetry Festival’s director and 2012 Baylor Centennial Professor, has another Heaney-related book, Seamus Heaney’s Regions, under contract and set to be released in late 2014.

Sic ’em, Seamus Heaney and all lovers of literature!

Mar

2013

Baylor social media efforts rank among nation’s best in higher ed

Posted by The Baylor Proud Team in Alumni, Just for Fun, Student life

February was a busy month of milestones for many of Baylor’s social media offerings, as the Facebook page topped 111,000 likes, our Pinterest page picked up its 2,000th follower, and Instagram crossed the 5,000 follower plateau.

In a new ranking that looks at college and university Facebook and Twitter accounts, Baylor ranked in the 93rd percentile nationally for total fans and followers. Ranked 45th out of more than 600 schools across the country, Baylor comes in ahead of many larger, arguably better-known schools such as Virginia Tech (31,000 students), Southern California (38,000 students) and Florida State (42,000 students).

If you’ve been following along with us on Facebook, Twitter (both @BaylorProud and @Baylor), Pinterest and Instagram — thanks for your support! With every post shared, tweet retweeted and pin repinned you’re helping spread the good word about Baylor. If you haven’t yet joined thousands of your fellow Bears, then give us a look — check out this handy directory for an in-depth listing of where you can find Baylor in social media!

Sic ’em, Bears in social media!

You might also like:
* Baylor named one of top 30 social media colleges in the nation (April 2011)
* Alum at forefront of campaign social media outreach (Nov. 2010)