Mayborn Museum Complex Traces 100 Years of Baylor Homecoming

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WACO, Texas - A life-sized bonfire photograph drapes the end of the exhibit hallway. In celebration of 100 years of Baylor homecoming, the Mayborn Museum Complex is hosting an exhibit through Feb. 14, 2010.

The exhibit stretches over a long hallway and highlights Baylor University traditions from 1909-2009. The exhibit is categorized into topics such as Baylor history, Pigskin Revue (Broadway style acts performed by students), the parade, football, homecoming queens and mascots. Hand-painted banners carried in past parades hang from the ceiling.

"I had no idea Baylor had one of the oldest and longest-running homecoming parades in the United States," said Rebecca Tucker, changing exhibits manager at the Mayborn.

The Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce donated items for the collection, and the rest are from the museum's collection. A running yard line stretches the length of the exhibit wall, marking every year in Baylor football history, with a bear claw denoting a win.

"It is interesting especially for someone who is not aware of how Baylor traditions were started," said Ann Garrett, coordinator of exhibits at the Mayborn.

Among exhibit items are a stack of bricks from the original habitat of the Baylor bear mascots. The yellowed front page of a Waco paper headlining the tragedy of the "immortal ten" can also be viewed in the exhibit. Ten members of the basketball team were killed in a bus accident in 1927 and are referred to as the immortal ten.

"I encourage students to come and see how we are working with Baylor," Tucker said.

Ticket prices are $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $4 for children and free for Baylor students with Baylor ID. Museum hours are Mon. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Thurs. 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Sun.1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Baylor Homecoming events begin Oct. 23- Oct. 25.

For more information, contact (254) 710-1110 at the Mayborn Museum, 1300 S. University Parks on the Baylor campus in Waco, TX.

by Jessica Puente, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805