Baylor University

==Athletics==
{{main|Baylor Bears}}
{|class="wikitable"  style="float:right; clear:right; margin:0 0 1em 1em;"
|-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Baylor Bears|Men's sports|Women's sports}}
|-
| [[Baylor Bears baseball|Baseball]] || Acrobatics & tumbling
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| [[Baylor Bears men's basketball|Basketball]] || [[Baylor Bears women's basketball|Basketball]]
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| Cross country || Cross country
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| [[Baylor Bears football|Football]] || Equestrian
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| Golf || Golf
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| [[Baylor Bears tennis|Tennis]] || Soccer
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| Track and field<sup>†</sup> || [[Baylor Bears softball|Softball]]
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| || Tennis
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| || Track and field<sup>†</sup>
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| || [[Baylor Bears women's volleyball|Volleyball]]
|-
| colspan="2" style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Baylor Bears}}" | {{small|† – Track and field includes both indoor and outdoor}}
|}

Baylor student athletes participate in [[NCAA Division I]] as part of the [[Big 12 Conference]]. As of the 2021–22 school year, all teams are nicknamed "Bears". Women's teams had historically been known as "Lady Bears", but by the end of the 2010s almost all of these teams had dropped "Lady", with the last three holdouts of basketball, soccer, and volleyball following suit in fall 2021.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.kcentv.com/article/sports/baylor-drop-lady-bears-nickname-womens-teams/500-f3231efb-4cc2-401e-8c46-1529c8bf431a |title=Baylor University to drop 'Lady Bears' nickname from women's teams |first=Kurtis |last=Quillen |publisher=KCEN-TV |location=Temple, TX |date=September 3, 2021 |accessdate=September 4, 2021 |archive-date=September 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904133141/https://www.kcentv.com/article/sports/baylor-drop-lady-bears-nickname-womens-teams/500-f3231efb-4cc2-401e-8c46-1529c8bf431a |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/32143240/baylor-women-hoops-drops-lady-team-name-known-bears |title=Baylor women's hoops drops 'Lady' from team name, to be known as Bears |first=Mechelle |last=Voepel |website=ESPN.com |date=September 4, 2021 |accessdate=September 4, 2021 |archive-date=September 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904065536/https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/32143240/baylor-women-hoops-drops-lady-team-name-known-bears |url-status=live }}</ref> In the 2011–2012 season, Baylor broke the NCAA record for most combined wins in the four major collegiate sports: baseball, football, and men's and women's basketball.

The university has won NCAA titles in 2004, 2005, 2012, 2019, and 2021. The men's tennis team defeated UCLA in the 2004 championship match to garner the Baylor's first title.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=7976 |title=Baylor Men's Tennis Crowned National Champions |website=Baylor University &#124; Media Communications &#124; News |publisher=Baylor.edu |date=May 25, 2004 |access-date=December 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131209000757/http://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=7976 |archive-date=December 9, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> One year later, the Baylor Lady Bears basketball team beat Michigan State in the championship game and was subsequently named as the only women's team to be nominated for a 2005 "Best Team" ESPY.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=34703 |title=Baylor Women's Basketball, Jeremy Wariner Nominated for ESPY Awards |website=Baylor University &#124;&#124; Media Communications &#124;&#124; News |publisher=Baylor.edu |date=June 24, 2005 |access-date=December 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208223441/http://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=34703 |archive-date=December 8, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2012, the Baylor Lady Bears basketball team beat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the NCAA National Championship; the first college basketball team to ever finish with a perfect 40–0 record. The Bears men's basketball team won the 2021 NCAA National Championship after beating the Gonzaga Bulldogs 86–70. It is the university's first men's national championship.

The Baylor men's basketball team advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA 'March Madness' Championship tournament in 2010, 2012, and 2021. Under the direction of head coach [[Scott Drew]], Baylor achieved a record of 121–55 (.688) between the 2008–2012 seasons and reached post-season play in four of those years. Four former Baylor basketball players were drafted in the first or second round of the NBA draft in the 2011 and 2012 seasons:

*[[Ekpe Udoh]] (first round)
*[[Perry Jones III]] 
*[[Quincy Acy]] (second round)
*[[Quincy Miller]] (second round)

===Year of the Bear===
The Year of the Bear is the name given to the 2011–2012 year in Baylor Athletics. During this year, the Baylor Bears football team defeated Big 12 rival Oklahoma (No. 5 AP) for the first time ever, as well as future bitter Big 12 rival TCU (No. 14 AP), ending the season at 10-3 ranked at No. 12 (No. 13 AP). Junior quarterback [[Robert Griffin III]] gained recognition throughout the year and was awarded both the 2011 Heisman Trophy and National Player of the Year honors.

Meanwhile, the men's basketball team started with 17 straight wins en route to a 30–8 season (the best in school history), a berth in the NCAA Elite Eight (its second in three seasons) and a No. 10 final ranking. The women's basketball team won the program's second national title, becoming the first basketball program – men's or women's – to finish 40–0. Center [[Brittney Griner]] was named the National Player of the Year, while Coach Kim Mulkey was awarded National Coach of the Year. The baseball team won 49 games (one shy of its all-time best), including a Big 12-record 18-game conference winning streak and school-record 24-game winning streak. Although ranked at No. 1 for two weeks (a program first), the baseball team finished in the NCAA Super Regionals and a No. 9 ranking.

Baylor's four major programs (football, men's and women's basketball, and baseball) finished with an NCAA record 129 wins during the year (and an overall record of 129–28 for a winning percentage of .822) and Baylor was the only school to have all four programs ranked at the end of their respective seasons. The football and (men's and women's) basketball programs also set NCAA records with a combined 80 wins between them, including a stretch from November 1, 2011, to January 16, 2012, when the three programs had 40 consecutive wins between them.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web |url=http://www.baylorbears.com/yearofthebear/ |title=Baylor Bears Official Athletic Site - BaylorBears.com - Year of the Bear |publisher=BaylorBears.com |access-date=December 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208025851/http://www.baylorbears.com/yearofthebear/ |archive-date=December 8, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Outside of the four major programs, Baylor was one of only two schools that had all 19 of its sponsored sports advance to the post season.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

===McLane Stadium===
[[File:Baylor University's McLane Stadium.JPG|thumb|Baylor University's McLane Stadium]]

Following the 'Year of the Bear,' it was announced in July 2012 that a new $260 million football stadium to be called "[[McLane Stadium]]" would be constructed on the university's campus. Opened in fall 2014, the stadium holds 45,000 spectators and is situated on {{convert|93|acre|ha|abbr=off}} of land adjacent to the Brazos River and Interstate 35. The stadium was planned by architecture firm Populous, known for its design of Yankee Stadium in New York and Houston's [[Minute Maid Park]]. A partnership between Austin Commercial-Flintco LLC oversaw the project as its contractor.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=129986 |title=Baylor University Celebrates Football Stadium Fundraising and Construction Milestones |website=Baylor University &#124; Media Communications &#124; Baylor Stadium |publisher=Baylor.edu |date=May 7, 2013 |access-date=December 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208044937/http://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=129986 |archive-date=December 8, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

From 1936 to 1949, the Baylor Bears home football games were played at [[Waco/Municipal Stadium]]. In 1950, the team moved to the newly constructed [[Floyd Casey Stadium]] (originally named Baylor Stadium), located four miles from campus with a [[seating capacity]] of up to 50,000 spectators.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=111291 |title=McLane Family Makes Leadership Gift for New Baylor Football Stadium |website=Baylor University &#124; Media Communications &#124; News |publisher=Baylor.edu |date=March 13, 2012 |access-date=December 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207161915/http://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=111291 |archive-date=December 7, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> The stadium has been renovated several times, most notably in 1998 and 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=3271 |title=The Grant Teaff Athletic Complex |website=Baylor University &#124;&#124; Media Communications &#124;&#124; News |publisher=Baylor.edu |date=February 27, 1998 |access-date=December 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131209061502/http://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=3271 |archive-date=December 9, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Mascots===
Baylor's mascot is the [[American black bear]]. The university had two live bears on campus named Joy and Lady, each bearing the title of Judge in honor of the first live mascot. Joy died on July 18, 2022, and Lady became a graduate of the class of 2023, officially retiring to a brand new facility off campus. The university announced in May 2023 that it was welcoming two new bear cubs to campus, cousins named Indy and Belle. The name "Indy" comes from "Independence", the town of Baylor's founding, and "Belle" pulls from the Carillon bells on campus. Like the past living mascots, they will reside on campus.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fogleman |first1=Lori |title=Baylor University Mourns Passing of Baylor Bear Mascot Judge "Joy" Reynolds |url=https://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=229605 |website=Baylor University |date=July 18, 2022 |publisher=Baylor® University |access-date=July 24, 2022}}</ref> The school's costumed mascots are Bruiser and Marigold.

Although Baylor began intercollegiate athletic competition in the 1890s, students did not elect the university's mascot until 1914.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.baylorbears.com/trads/bay-bearname-mascot.html |title=Baylor Bears Official Athletic Site - BaylorBears.com - Traditions |publisher=BaylorBears.com |access-date=December 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207215401/http://www.baylorbears.com/trads/bay-bearname-mascot.html |archive-date=December 7, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> The other two dozen nominees included the bald eagle and the bookworm.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.baylor.edu/bear/index.php?id=18243 |title=Baylor University &#124;&#124; Bear Program &#124;&#124; Mascot History |publisher=Baylor.edu |date=December 14, 1914 |access-date=December 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090310173528/http://www.baylor.edu/bear/index.php?id=18243 |archive-date=March 10, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Three years later, the 107th Engineers, a U.S. Army troop stationed in Waco, gave Baylor its first live bear. The 107th Engineers had found the bear while traveling by train to Waco. After the troop left, the [[Baylor University Chamber of Commerce]] began caring for the animal. The organization still cares for the university's live bears.

One of the most famous Baylor mascots was "Big Joe" or "College Joe" in the 1930s. The bear (originally named Buckshot) was the pet of local businessman Herbert E. Mayr and was known to perform circus tricks and drink from a bottle at Mayr's business.<ref>{{cite news |title=Herbert E. Mayr with "Buckshot" the bear |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1971985/herbert_e_mayr_with_buckshot_the/ |newspaper=Waco News-Tribune |date=October 21, 1928 |access-date=May 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128000929/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1971985/herbert_e_mayr_with_buckshot_the/ |archive-date=January 28, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> The bear was housed at The Cotton Palace Zoo after it became too large to keep as a pet and destroyed the backseat of Mayr's car. Due to the expense of food, Mayr transferred responsibility for the bear to Waco attorney Woodie Zachery.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/47966911/?terms=big%2Bjoe%2Bmascot|title=23 Mar 1943, Page 1 - at Newspapers.com|work=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402105802/http://www.newspapers.com/image/47966911/?terms=big%2Bjoe%2Bmascot|archive-date=April 2, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> It was later adopted by W.W. Boyd and soon began its 11 years as Baylor's mascot "College Joe." Following its death, the bear was stuffed and given a special display at the university.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/47967270|title=23 Mar 1943, Page 8 - at Newspapers.com|work=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402190607/http://www.newspapers.com/image/47967270/|archive-date=April 2, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

The university's costumed mascot, Bruiser, was introduced at the beginning of the 1981–1982 basketball season.<ref name="baylorbears.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.baylorbears.com/ot/spirit-squad-mascots.html|title=Baylor Bears Official Athletic Site - BaylorBears.com - Athletics|publisher=BaylorBears.com|access-date=December 8, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207215349/http://www.baylorbears.com/ot/spirit-squad-mascots.html|archive-date=December 7, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The mascot appears at football and basketball events, along with university pep rallies and community events. Bruiser also travels with the basketball team to games for the Big 12 Basketball Tournament, NIT and NCAA Tournaments.<ref name="baylorbears.com"/>