The long local partnership behind Baylor football’s equipment truck

If you follow Baylor football closely, you’ve likely seen this massive 18-wheeler that carries the team’s gear to away games. Other than getting the players, coaches and staff where they need to go, one of the most important parts of any away game is getting the equipment truck there on time.

It may surprise you, though, to know that it’s not Baylor who owns the truck; it’s Central Transportation Systems, a local service with nearly a century of history (and almost that long a partnership with the Bears).

Central Transportation (recently renamed from Central Forwarding) has been around since the 1920s, and the company has been hauling Baylor gear for much of that time. Over the years, they’ve grown to become a major relocation service provider for the Department of Defense, all major medical facilities in Central Texas, and of course, Baylor University. Fittingly, the president of Central’s parent company, Appleton Moving Companies, is a Baylor Bear: Elizabeth Appleton, BBA ’02.

[READ: It Takes a Village, Or at Least a Small Army: Take a Glimpse Behind the Scenes at How Baylor Football Travels.]

Central Transportation’s archives include several old photos of billboards advertising Baylor football games, with their name added in the corner as a supporting sponsor.

“With changes in time and technology, our Central Transportation logo is displayed on the jumbo screen at the Baylor football games even to this day,” the company said in a press release. “The historical relationship between Baylor University and Central Forwarding speaks volumes for the mutual support and loyalty between the two Waco-based organizations.”

There’s something so fitting about such a local, long-standing partnership. “It is an honor to serve Baylor University, and we hope to expand the relationship in various logistical needs for Baylor University as we move towards our 100-year anniversary,” said the company.

Sic ’em, Central Transportation!