May 25, 2021 // Posted In Honors
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) sets the gold standard for zoos and aquariums around the world. The very best those that take the best care of their animals, that offer the best facilities, that have the best long-term plans, etc. are AZA-accredited.
Currently home to Joy and Lady, two American black bears, the Bill and Eva Williams Bear Habitat was dedicated at Homecoming in 2005. The bears’ home is maintained and staffed by a team that includes student caregivers from the Baylor Chamber of Commerce, trained professionals, and a veterinary care team.
During an extensive site visit in January, AZA representatives were impressed by the world-class care Joy and Lady receive, specifically noting the animal welfare, veterinary care, educational efforts, facility quality and overall investment by the university.
Head Coach Dave Aranda
Omni Houston Hotel, May 19 | 7 p.m. CDT
The Texas Tour kicks off May 19 with a special event featuring Head Coach Dave Aranda at the Omni Houston Hotel. Join with fellow alumni and fans to hear more about Baylor football’s upcoming season. Coach Aranda will share how he and his staff are building a culture of excellence that includes a commitment to the physical, social, and spiritual development of players and what fans can expect to see on the field this fall.
Measures to promote social distancing will be in place at this event. Attendees must wear face coverings when not seated at their tables. Seating will be limited and spaced out throughout the ballroom. Attendees will have their temperature taken before entering the ballroom. In addition, the hotel will provide hand sanitizer dispensers, among other health and safety measures.
April 12, 2021 // Posted In Athletics, Honors
It’s been an interesting year for both Baylor volleyball and collegiate volleyball as a whole, thanks to (what else?) COVID-19.
Traditionally a fall sport, the NCAA elected to move the volleyball postseason tournament to spring, and many conferences followed suit and moved their entire seasons to the spring. The Big 12, like the ACC and SEC, elected to play a limited fall season in the Big 12’s case, playing a conference-only schedule and then follow that with a short spring schedule to help teams prepare for the postseason.
The Bears went 19-6 on the season suffering a tough 0-4 record against Texas, the NCAA tournament’s No. 4 overall seed, but going a combined 19-2 against the rest of their schedule. Four first-team all-Big 12 honorees led the way: Pressley, Lauren Harrison, Kara McGhee, and the program’s first-ever Big 12 Libero of the Year, Shanel Bramschreiber.
From the opening tip, the Bears showed that
they were the nation’s best team, scoring the game’s first nine points and quickly building a double-digit lead. MaCio Teague sparked the Bears with 14 first-half points, while on the defensive end, Mark Vital, Flo Thamba and Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua clamped down on Gonzaga’s vaunted front court.
When the Bulldogs cut the lead to nine, the Bears responded with three-pointer after three-pointer, stop after stop, and rebound after rebound in a true team effort. Tournament Most Outstanding Player Jared Butler led the way with 22 points, while Mark Vital pulled down 11 rebounds. In the waning minutes, Drew pulled the starters from the floor into a huge embrace that embodied the team’s culture of J.O.Y., and the Bears soon celebrated a national title.