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