Tag Archives: Baylor

Here’s to you, Baylor

After moving back from New York, I headed to stay in Waco for the week prior to graduation. I expected my street to have it’s usual busyness: people constantly on the sidewalk and our porch, cars flying by with sonic cups hanging out the windows, and the guys next door blaring Lynard Skynard. But to my surprise, it wasn’t like that at all. All of the undergrad students had headed home for summer, and all that remained were me and my gals and our class.

The quietness and calmness of my porch swing at dusk gifted me the opportunity of reflecting on all of the ways Baylor has cultivated me; the way I carry myself, the way my mind works and the condition of my heart. If you’ve ever spoken to a Baylor alum or current student, I think we all say the same things about our university. “There’s really no place like Baylor,” or, “I left my heart in Waco,” or, “Actually, I like Waco,”… I mean…Where else can you get free Dr. Pepper floats, play tennis, see live bears on campus, have Chick-fil-A and buy every Heisman t-shirt imaginable within about 15 yards of each other!?! BUT. In comparison of what this university and it’s people have done to challenge, grow and condition me for this world, those amenities are miniscule. I’m a passionate believer in worth, purpose and continual forward progress in all aspects of life. And things, objects, and tangibles that the world brings do not contribute to progression. The catalyst for authentic improvement and passionate persistence are derived from the core of your being, and the people that have helped in contouring your zeal for life.

In a society where everything is changing, it’s inevitable that to ‘stay with the pack’, a person or organization must grit their teeth and make adjustments – no matter what. Technology, social media, job markets, ways of competing, strategies for forward progress: they’re all constantly evolving – and consequently, weeding out the laggers. A common ‘mistake’, if you will, in this ongoing process, is altering the core of your being to keep up with society.

“To be yourself in a society that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Enter Baylor. My four years at Baylor was an era where I watched the entire eclipse of the process. Thousands of students and I witnessed Baylor be bold. Making moves. Making changes. But Baylor didn’t take these leaps to stay with the pack: she jumped up front and said, “I’ll lead”.

I’ll reflect on our athletic program, since that’s where I devoted my studying, time and attention. I have to believe that for this 2011-2012 school year, Baylor is the hottest athletic program in the country. But it wasn’t by mere chance. I wrote in an earlier post regarding the rapid change in Baylor’s football program over the course of four short seasons. Producing a Heisman winner didn’t come by chance. It didn’t come by doing what other schools or programs did. But  Briles made changes in order to produce different results. The vision for change comes from an inner desire to be loyal to the university while lovingly making bold changes at the same time. And when the nation started scratching their heads and peering into campus, quickly recognized the authenticity of Baylor.

I have been blessed enough to spend the most revolutionary, exciting and memorable era at Baylor in many years. The people I have worked and studied alongside are on the move, headed for success and happy. There is an inner peace and contentment knowing that the people surrounding me are supporting my every move. I am confident that my best friends, coworkers, classmates and professors will rejoice with me when I succeed, help me up when I’m down and walk with me through life. Baylor fam.

So to the professors who listened to me spill about my dreams for so many of your after hours – thank you for realistically preparing me, yet still encouraging me for my future. To the SID’s and coaches – your loyalty and faithfulness is the backbone of our program, and the success ultimately rests on your love for this university. Thank you for giving us an example of dedication paying off. To my late night hoopers – I always felt like I was wearing #15 on my back, and each time I got knocked down after a long day made me better – thanks for physically pushing me. (And to the people working out next to me in the SLC – we were always competing whether you knew it or not.) To my friends and classmates – you showed me what community and love and support looks like… at all times. Thank you for a beautiful picture of service and support. And to everyone coming to, going from or just passing by: join me in thanking Baylor for so earnestly chasing after success while still remaining true to the foundational beliefs as an institution. Thank you, Baylor, for displaying to me the most beautiful portrait of success imaginable.

More on Baylor’s hottest year in athletics, ever: Ian McCaw Should Be AD of Year / BU Athletic Program Hits the Big Time / Baylor Sports Revival / For Baylor, Business is Finished / Baylor sees rise in applications  / Baylor has made a remarkable rise in redemption

NYC through my lens

There’s really no way to “sum up” time spent in a place like New York City. The describing, reminiscing, and learning are all continual. Each day since moving back to Texas, I’ve uncovered another lesson, admiration or respect for NYC. Fueled each morning by the fire of chasing a dream, competition of the millions of people you brush against on the streets and sometimes merely functioning off of adrenaline sounds daunting – and it is. NYC truly is it’s own world.

I have so much to say about NYC! But for now, here are a few (of millions) of my favorite pictures and memories from my semester in NYC:

More than just numbers >

You’ve heard the campaigns all season long. The Heisman standings ride week-to-week on performances by Trent Richardson, Andrew Luck, and my favorite – Robert Griffin III. You can sift through his impressive statistics and numbers at the click of a button. You’re a few Google searches away from seeing our 9-3 season stripped down and dissected in incredible detail by some of sports greatest analysts.  But I’ll give you something to think about – and it’s not all about the ‘now’.

See that picture? I took that when I was a freshman. Baylor played Washington State on September 12, 2008, winning 45-17. Can you see the stands across the field? That’s what I knew my freshman year. In a span of just four years, my class has seen our football program undergo such a profound transformation. And it all happened because Rob and Coach Briles joined arms and said, We are going to change this program.

And that’s exactly what they’ve done. Our entire university has a totally different mindset that has ricocheted off our team’s success. We’ve watched our Rob, and our team, project itself to the frontline of Heisman runners. And he deserves it. I’m not going to argue that, we all have YouTube and a pair of eyes. That’s all you need.

BUT there are SOME out there who use the (WEAK) argument that, “He can’t win the Heisman. He goes to Baylor.” Well, you are missing the point, obviously. Because that is the point.

There are roughly 15,000 of us circulating around campus here in the beautiful Waco, Texas. I never really see a face twice when I take different routes on campus, but sure, it’s considered a ‘small’ university. A private university, at that.

Baylor is currently the only school in the nation ranked in the Top 15 in Football (12th BCS), Men’s Basketball (6th AP) and Women’s Basketball (1st AP). Last month in November, those three teams combined for an undefeated 17-0. I’m proud to say I’m a student during possibly the greatest era in the history of Baylor athletics. So yes, people, you’re right. We are Baylor. No need to tell the nation what they’re already aware of…

Am I being defensive? No. Am I biased? Sure. I’ve poured my heart into Baylor for four years, and Baylor has absolutely poured back into me. It’s impossible for you to understand the extent of this if you didn’t attend. This place is incredibly special. Take it from my girl Erin Andrews. She joined us here in Waco for the Baylor/OU game last month. The gal has attended thousands of college sporting events, at places I’d have to say are probably more exciting than Floyd Casey stadium. But after the game, she tweeted this:

“Such an awesome night..even tho my iPhone is not working well after [gatorade] bath..so blessed to be doing what I’ve always wanted to do..”

She was on our turf that night. And was moved enough by the genuine spirit of our football team and fans (Baylor Nation!), that she felt compelled to tweet about being truly thankful for her job. Take what you want from my case, but I haven’t stopped smiling since that game. And I don’t think anyone else on campus has, either.

*** Check the timeline of big names who are in support of RG3 for Heisman!

*** And of course, you still have a few days left: Don’t forget to VOTE for Rob!

*** Here’s the highlight reel for RG3’s Heisman candidacy:

Midnight Madness at Baylor

Over 5,000 people packed the Ferrell Center on Friday night for Baylor’s Midnight Madness hour with ESPNU. Shout out to everyone who came – What fall break?!

The Ferrell Center was full of laughter, cheering and pure entertainment. It’s no secret that Baylor basketball is about to bring it this season. Everyone around Waco is itching for that first tipoff. And after a little nationwide samplin’ last night, no doubt that many eyes are on our squad. I personally love this group of guys – Coach Drew’s got a very special team on his hand.

Fran Fraschilla called it “an embarrassment of riches,” saying Coach Drew is going to struggle with choosing which five to put on the court. Talk about a genuine, likable guy. Fraschilla is an instant favorite. Waco was overjoyed to have him join us.

Here are some pictures/videos from our Midnight Madness!

(Videos are sideways because I shot them on my phone and they aren’t rotatable. Just cock your head sideways and work with me here!)

Fran Fraschilla:

When John Morris interviewed Fran in front of the Ferrell Center crowd, he asked what the nation was expecting of Baylor’s upcoming season. He replied, “Well, ESPN sent one of their best reporters to cover Baylor if that tells you anything!” Loved that.

Fran talking BU bball
Fran & Perry Jones III
Fran & the Ferrell rockin’

DUNK CONTEST

Deuce Bello:

Your Dunk CHAMP Pierre Jackson:




More Pics

Love having Mamadou around

Kickin the night off...I spy BG!

Autographs for fans

Autographs for fans

With AJ and Freddy

A track you shouldn’t skip

As finals are sneaking up on me, I often daze in and out of studying and drift into this semester’s memories. I think back to my first day walking up to Baylor’s track and field complex to do my first set of interviews for The Lariat. I never ran track in high school, so embracing the fact that I had a ton to learn, I sat on the bleachers to spend some time observing. Would you have ever guessed I walked away with tears running down my face? I can explain…

The dynamic of track and field is unlike any other sport. Girls and guys training together: one second, laughing and talking in the sunshine, the next, testing their limits, completely in the zone. Lap after lap, hour after hour, technique after technique, all while no mainstream sportsfan even lends a thought. Incredible. I remember calling my mom when I got to the car – she ran track in college – explaining to her her my newfound respect and admiration for all her dedication and determination as an athlete!

I left the complex that day with this empty hole in my heart from being on a team, working after something every single day with my closest friends and teammates. But I’ve walked away from countless games and practices at Baylor – without crying like a little girl – something about this particular squad was different.

Think about how you rank track athletically, in your own mind. Now think about track, the mental and personal aspect of it. Let’s pretend I run track (HAHA). Every time I run, compete and cross the finish line, the time and rank up on the board is mine. Nobody helped me, nobody hurt me. It’s a product of my mental decision to push myself and is a reflection of the work and sweat I’ve put in. What other sport takes one’s inner drive and motivation and puts it on display for the world to see, in the rawest form?

Being the oldest sport in history, track originated in the Panhellenic Games in Greece. Around 200 B.C. the games spread to Rome and Italy for the Ancient Olympic Games. Sprints, long distance running, hurdles, relays (there’s your teamwork), jumps and throws, all so the world could be entertained by the beauty of athleticism. Through track and field events. Pretty cool, right?

Besides being in awe as I watched them run, or being able to celebrate with them the NCAA records they broke, my favorite part was spending time with what I believe are some of Baylor’s most incredible athletes.

Freshman Tiffani McReynolds weighs 90 lbs and is the fifth strongest person on the squad. Gabriel El Hanbli holds the Canadian Senior national title in the 400-meter hurdles. Senior Tiffany Townsend has been an All-American over 15 times. Skylar White gives the sassiest/quirkiest quotes. Olympian Michael Johnson ran track at Baylor for cryin’ out loud… Respect.

The truth about track and field is that frankly, it’s overlooked. Talking to Coach Harbour on my last day, I told him how much joy it gave me to cover the most dedicated and talented athletes at Baylor. (I don’t think many people realize that in a couple of years, these guys and girls will be in the blocks ready to run at the Olympics. I sure didn’t.)

Harbour made a great point. I remember him shaking his head saying, “Track gets the least coverage out of any sport. Locally, nationally. Across Texas, baseball, football and basketball get all the coverage, when in reality, the most parents of athletes in Texas are for track.”

Interestingly enough, he’s completely right. These athletes receive the least coverage and recognition, (not one feature on any track athlete was done by Waco news this season) and they must remain the most consistently driven. The way this squad ran, trained and competed will be seared in my mind forever. Next time you’re out on a jog and you’re getting tired, I have the solution! To dig deeper, to watch yourself make it a little further, a little faster, think like a track athlete. Set a new record while no one watches. There’s no telling what you’ll uncover.

Baylor goes big

For the first time since 1957, Baylor had two players go in the first round of the draft. Defensive end Phil Taylor joins the Cleveland Browns at the 21st pick. Two picks later, Danny Watkins joined the Philadelphia Eagles.

Art Briles has seen three of his players go as first round picks in three years – it’s easy to see how passionate he is about this program’s success.

Phil Taylor, (who actually played really well against Von Miller this year) joins Colt McCoy and the Browns for the season. The Browns actually traded up to ensure they could grab Taylor. He’s 6’3, 337 lbs, and a terror to match. I think with NFL workouts the doubts of his movement and fatigue will diminish.

If there’s one thing I know about Briles, he’s instilled motivation and drive into these guys. He’s a humble and hungry coach driven by the consistent progression of this program, and we as a student body have seen that. Taylor and Watkins have whipped it summer after summer in Texas heat for a coach driven on doing things the right way.

Here’s a video of Danny Watkins getting the call. Being a firefighter, who previously played hockey, INTENSELY, he’s got the instinct to protect his qb. Andy Reid couldn’t be happier with the Watkins addition, but I look forward to seeing him exceed expectations.

Seriously, watch the video.

Wish I could write more, but it’s finals week! SO PROUD of the representations of Baylor, I had a smile plastered to my face all night. I look forward to seeing these making huge plays on Sundays. Congrats to Phil and Danny!!!