Baylor Breaks Ground For Jay And Jenny Allison Indoor Football Practice Facility

Contact: Lori Fogleman, director of media communications, (254) 710-6275
Baylor University gained yards in its quest for gridiron glory with the Nov. 15 groundbreaking ceremony of the Jay and Jenny Allison Indoor Football Practice Facility. The facility provides a critical component of the vision for the Alwin O. and Dorothy Highers Athletics Complex and will provide Baylor student-athletes with a premier practice space as they strive for victory.

"Baylor is committed to advancing the efforts of Coach Briles, his staff and our football student-athletes," said Interim Baylor President David E. Garland. "However, Baylor could not achieve its goals without dedicated supporters like Jay and Jenny Allison who help make facilities such as these possible. We thank them for their loyalty and passion."

"The name of this facility is critical--because of what it stands for," said Head Baylor Football Coach Art Briles. "Jay and Jenny are great Christians, great parents and great friends. This facility is a tremendous honor for me and the program as we continue the Baylor tradition."

The Allisons' generous lead gift for the Jay and Jenny Allison Indoor Football Practice Facility lifts up Baylor's football student-athletes and coaching staff as they work to build a championship program. With this indoor facility, weather conditions no longer will result in canceled practices. In addition, the synthetic playing surface will complement the two natural grass practice fields adjacent to the facility, preparing the Baylor football team for all playing conditions.

"In recent years, our football facilities have been a key focus of our Victory with Integrity Campaign for all our athletics programs, and the Jay and Jenny Allison Indoor Football Practice Facility is a welcome addition to our athletics corridor we are developing," said Baylor Director of Athletics Ian McCaw. "We are so grateful to the Allison family for their generous gift making this facility possible for our outstanding student-athletes."

"Jay is a difference maker. Not only in the lives of people but in institutions, churches and entire communities," Grant Teaff, former Baylor football coach, said.

Supporting the development of athletic excellence comes naturally for Jay (BBA '78, MS '80, JD '81), a three-time Baylor football letterwinner, and Jenny (BSEd '78, MSEd '80), whose family boasts of several Baylor student-athletes. In addition to establishing endowed scholarships for football student-athletes, they named the Jay and Jenny Reid Allison Skybox Complex at Floyd Casey Stadium and funded the Basketball Hall of Honor in the Lt. Jack Whetsel Jr. Basketball Practice Facility.

"Everything you do in life affects somebody," Jay Allison said as he reflected on his own life-changing experiences, some of which were greatly impacted by former Baylor football coach Grant Teaff. "Through works we don't do this. It's through the great gift of Christ that He uses us, and with this facility comes great favor and responsibility."

"It's about the generation of people who came before us," Jenny Allison added. "Baylor has truly been a part of our family, and we hope to continue the Baylor tradition."

Jay serves as president, CEO and chairman of Comstock Resources, a NYSE oil and gas company. The Allisons are members of the Baylor University Medallion Fellowship in the James Huckins Society, the Athletics Hall of Honor, the Endowed Scholarship Society and are lifetime members of the Baylor Alumni Association. Jenny is president of the Baylor University Women's Council of Dallas, and Jay recently completed nine years of service on the Baylor University Board of Regents. They have four children, Baylor graduate student Jency (BA '08), Logan, Lucas and Aubrey.

The new facility advances the Victory with Integrity campaign, an athletic development program initiated in February 2005, and promotes the tenth imperative of Baylor 2012, building a winning tradition in Baylor athletics. Slated for completion by the start of preseason camp next August, the Jay and Jenny Allison Indoor Football Practice Facility provides a first-class facility in which football student-athletes will refine their talents to honor God.

For more information about ways to get involved with this new facility, contact Rick Darnell at (254) 710-2561 or Doug Smith at (254) 710-3650.