March 4, 2021 // Posted In Alumni, Athletics
The stories of “boom to bust” for college and pro athletes after their playing careers end are legion.
Vinnie Johnson, Baylor Class of 1980, is not one of those.
Johnson a two-time all-American at Baylor, one of the greatest sixth men in NBA history, and our pick as the greatest Baylor alum in NBA history has found even more success in the business world after his retirement from professional basketball.
The Brooklyn native first came to Waco to play for nearby McLennan Community College in 1975, transferring to Baylor two years later and posting two of the all-time great scoring efforts in Baylor men’s basketball history. Johnson left Baylor as both the single-season (25.2) and career (24.1) record-holder for points-per-game both records that stand to this day.
February 26, 2021 // Posted In Academics, History
February is Black History Month, a time for intentionally learning more about the roles African Americans have played in our nation’s history. One approach is to read up on Black history in the U.S.; Baylor history professor Ronald Johnson put together an excellent list of resources.
Another approach is to dive into some of the outstanding literary contributions made by Black American writers. Baylor English professors Coretta Pittman and Ryan Sharp have suggested the poems, novels and other writings below as excellent entry points into Black American literature.
“I intentionally listed Black writers who are well-known and others who are not,” explains Dr. Pittman. “I want people to see the range of Black writers who were and are engaging in questions about individual and communal responses to race in America. While race might be at the heart of their novels, the literary merit is unquestioned. The writing is beautiful, he
Just off Fountain Mall sits a peaceful garden plot, complete with gorgeous landscaping and bold granite markers. The space is Baylor’s National Pan-Hellenic Garden, a place to recognize historically Black Greek-lettered groups on campus. The markers represent fraternities and sororities within the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), often referred to as the “Divine Nine.”
The NPHC was founded in 1930 at Howard University during an era in which Greek organizations founded by African Americans were, sadly, often banned from being affiliated with Greek organizations founded by whites. The first NPHC organization at Baylor, the Nu Iota chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., was chartered in 1972; other organizations followed over the years, and today, Baylor has active chapters for seven of the Divine Nine organizations.
2021 NFL Draft Prospect Profile: Edge William Bradley-King, Baylor
Baylor s William-Bradley King has a solid collegiate history of gaining more and more responsibility. How well has his college career prepared him for life in the NFL?
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School: Baylor
He played his senior season at Baylor but started his career at Arkansas State, where he amassed 24 tackles for a loss and 14.5 sacks; had 3.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for a loss in 9 games with Baylor. He was a 2-star recruit and landed at Arkansas State, but his production landed him in the BIG 12, and he had a solid senior season.
He earned All Big-12 Honorable Mention in his senior season. Was First Team Sun Belt Conference in his junior year and 2nd team in his sophomore year. He graduated from Arkansas State and is pursuing a master’s degree in Physical Education at Baylor. Attended Hogan Prep High School in Kansas City, Missouri, where he wrestled and threw discus on the track team.