Baylor Proud

As a graduate of Baylor, I have not had much to brag about with our sports teams. Yes, the Baylor Women's basketball team has been successful - in fact they won the national championship a few years ago. Yes, the tennis team has been successful. But the men's basketball and football teams have not seen successful in years.

Now for the first time in the history of Baylor, both the men's and women's basketball teams are in the top 25 teams in the nation. The men's team, under the leadership of Coach Scott Drew, is in the the top 25 for the first time since 1969 - some 18 months before Coach Drew was born.

Last night the Bears played the nationally ranked Aggies. Thanks to my son I was able to watch the game on the Internet as the game went into overtime. Let me say that the game, which went into five overtimes, was one of the best basketball games I have seen. The longest game in history went into seven overtimes. The Aggies and the Bears played their hearts out. The Aggies lost at least one player to fouls in the overtime period. The Bears lost five players to fouls in the five overtimes.

Without trying to offend my Aggie family members, let me say how proud I am of the Baylor Basketball team. In 2003, Scott Drew inherited a basketball program that was, to say the least, wounded.
With the loss of players, either by transfer, death, or prison and with the NCAA penalties - the basketball program was almost near death. Coach Drew, in less than five years, has brought some pride back to Baylor basketball.

I realize a few games doesn't mean that the program is a success, but it is a step in the right direction. With the hiring of Coach Art Briles, the football team, I believe will also begin to make a comeback.

It has been a long time since Baylor fans have had much to be excited about. You Aggies and Longhorns don't know how it is when you can't get excited about your school's sports teams. But let me say - the coaches of the Baylor sports teams, along with the players - are bringing back some pride.

Sic 'em Bears.