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Sports column: Sports editor offers suggestions

May 1, 2009

In my two and a half years of work at The Lariat sports desk, I've witnessed many great and miraculous victories and heartbreaking defeats. I've seen Baylor make some crafty hires.

However, I also have a "Baylor spot" on my head where I've scratched my head too much, trying to determine why spelling out Baylor was any better than an interlocking BU.

I've spoken with fans and reporters from all over the Big 12 Conference, Texas and the nation. I've witnessed Oklahoma State's creepy Pistol Pete firing the loudest shotgun blast I've ever heard toward the Baylor sideline, drunk Longhorn students cursing because Baylor actually led for 35 seconds, Lubbock's flying tortillas -- and D-batteries, and more "Aggie spirit" than one person ever should see, so I'd say I've got a pretty good idea of the good and bad sports cultures.

But more than anything, I've just sat and thought why things are the way they are in Waco. I'm sure my parents and teachers would have wanted me to study instead, but my pontificating has brought me a few suggestions for Baylor athletics.

So grab a chair, desk or science lab stool and think with me for a few minutes.

1. Katy Perry's music should be banned from Floyd Casey Stadium. Period. Nothing outside of Sing makes me more ashamed to call myself a Baylor student. The only exception would be if it's played in the visiting locker room on loop.

2. Baylor needs to market itself in other cities. One thing I have never understood is why Baylor refuses to market and recruit for its sports programs outside of McLennan and Bell counties. I want to see Art Briles' chilling eyes gazing over freeways from billboards throughout Big 12 cities. His long-sleeved shirt and interlocking BU cap should be seen from Highway 6 in College Station, Highway 82 in Lubbock and I-35 in Austin.

Several years ago, Oklahoma State University placed a billboard on Valley Mills Drive to attract Perrish Cox, a Waco-University High School senior. It worked. Why don't we steal a few from them? Let's face it; Baylor and Waco aren't going to attract top talent by themselves, so Baylor marketing needs to make up the difference.

3. Tennis needs a pronunciation guide for all tennis matches. I've covered tennis for three years and still have to look at my notes to pronounce Zuzana Chmelarova's or Attila Bucko's names.

4. Baylor needs a pre-game ritual for football. The Southeastern Conference is filled with football traditions. We should take a cue from Ole Miss, where players walk through the Old Grove before every game. Several hours before every home game, the football team should meet in Barfield Drawing room then walk down the steps of the Bill Daniels Student Center to a throng of Baylor fans cheering them before the game. The Golden Wave Marching Band and Spirit squad would play and cheer as the team walks toward busses parked in front of Penland, and just before everyone headed to the stadium, Briles and the captains would lead a roaring Sic 'em Bears cheer.

5. Speaking of traditions, Art Briles has made a point of defeating the Texas trio -- Tech, Texas and A&M -- both on the field and in recruiting. Why don't we run out of the tunnel with a Texas flag? TCU, Texas and Texas A&M all do it, why shouldn't we? It's certainly better than the yell leaders running in front of the Baylor Line spelling "BAYLRO" or "ABYLOR".

6. Baylor needs to bring back the Amazing Mr. Christopher for halftime at the Ferrell Center. He's the one who danced alongside four other Village People life-size puppets that were connected by wires. While I'm at it, bring back Mavs Man.

We could use a Little League football game during halftime at Floyd Casey, too. Better yet, have the winning All-University intramural flag football teams play a condensed game.

7. Coaches should be the main marketing force. Baylor has high-quality coaches in every sport. You can thank Director of Athletics Ian McCaw for that. Scott Drew, Art Briles, Kim Mulkey, Steve Smith and Matt Knoll are the headliners, but there's not a single coach on any Baylor squad that is incompetent. Why isn't Baylor bragging on them? Players will be in Waco for four years, but these coaches should stay for much longer -- and Baylor has the financial ability to keep them here. Call it a long-term marketing investment.

So as I leave The Lariat sports desk for the tumbleweeds of the job market, I hope Baylor -- and Baylor fans -- take these ideas to heart.

Brian Bateman is a senior journalism and history major from Garland. He is also the sports editor for The Baylor Lariat.

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