Baylor Bears Overview

Fast facts

League: Division I (NCAA)

Head Coach: Scott Drew

Team Mascot: Lady and Joy (live), Bruiser and Marigold (costumed)

Year Opened: 1988

Capacity: 10284

City / State: Waco / Texas

Rivalries & Top Games to Attend

Baylor vs TCU

Rival Team: TCU Horned Frogs

Baylor and TCU have a fierce rivalry in football that carries over to the hardwood. Additionally, both of these schools were located in Waco at one point creating an intense rivalry. The Bears and Horned Frogs are two of the biggest rivals in the Big 12, so make sure to be in attendance when these two Texas schools face off.

Baylor vs Texas

Rival Team: Texas Longhorns

The Bears have been in the same conference as the Longhorns for a long time, which has helped foster a fierce rivalry between the two schools. The rivalry between these two dates back to 1915 and the Southwest Conference, so don’t miss it when the Longhorns come to town.

Baylor vs Texas Tech

Rival Team: Texas Tech Red Raiders

Just like their rivalry with Texas, Baylor’s rivalry with Texas Tech can be traced back to the team’s days in the Southwest Conference. The Red Raiders joined the Southwest Conference in 1956 and the rivalry between these two teams has bloomed over time, so get your tickets for when the Red Raiders meet the Bears.

Baylor Bears Stadium Guide

In Game

The Baylor Bears are the pride and joy of Waco, Texas, and while the football program may get the majority of the coverage, the basketball team is beloved as well. The town and university’s love of their athletics teams can be seen on game days. When attending a Baylor basketball game, not only will you find incredible fan support but also great tributes to the program’s past as well.

Baylor fans, particularly the student section known as the Bear Pit, are very vocal in their support. All throughout the game you’ll hear chants and jeers raining down on the opposing team from the Bear  Pit. The jeers are particularly pointed when the Bears are playing a Big 12 rival, so if you can score tickets to a game when Texas or TCU is in town, then you’ll be in for a real treat.

In addition to the vocal fan support, the Ferrell Center is also home to several tributes to the best players and teams in program history. The concourse features a trophy case, and there is a mural showing off all of Baylor’s best moments, so take a stroll around the concourse to take it all in. Baylor also does a good job of paying respects to those who lost their lives in the program’s 1927 bus crash with their Immortal Ten Memorial.

When attending a Baylor basketball game, you’ll experience an incredible atmosphere thanks to the town and university’s love for the team so plan your trip to Waco today.

Things to check out

Immortal Ten Memorial

Stop by the Immortal Ten Memorial at the Traditions Plaza to pay respects to the Immortal Ten. The Immortal Ten lost their lives in a bus accident in 1927, which remains one of the biggest tragedies in college basketball history so make sure to pay your respects when visiting Baylor.

play Watch video

Banners

Hanging from the rafters are various banners celebrating the Bears many accomplishments. The banners honor the Baylor’s best teams and players over the years, so take them all in to remember your favorite Bears basketball memories.

play Watch video

Trophy Case

When attending a Baylor basketball game, make sure to check out the Bears trophy case on the concourse. The trophy case shows off all of the accolades won by the Bears over the years and is a must see for any Bears fan.

Mural

The mural on concourse shows off Baylor’s winning tradition as well as some of its best teams. Check out the mural to remember the Bears 2013 NIT win as well as many other great Baylor basketball moments.

Bear Claw

Introduced by the Baylor Yell Leaders in the 1960s, the Bear Claw is a hand signal used by all Bears fans throughout the game. The hand signal is made by slightly curving all five fingers to form a claw and is a great way to show off your Baylor spirit.

Spirit Squad

The Baylor Spirit Squad consists of the Coed Yell Leaders, All-Girls Yell Leaders, and the Songleaders. These groups do an excellent job of riling up the crowd and bringing everyone inside the Ferrell Center to their feet, so join in their chants and cheers when attending a Baylor game.

play Watch video

Bruiser and Judge

The Baylor mascots entertain fans young and old. The two Bears mascots do an incredible job of keeping things fun even when Baylor is losing, so keep your eyes open for these lovable goofs.

play Watch video

The Bear Pit

The Bear Pit student section is home to the loudest and rowdiest fans inside the Ferrell Center. Join in on the student section cheers to help aid the Bears in their quest for victory.

play Watch video

Newspapers

Before the game, everyone in the Bear Pit receives a paper, which they read as the opposing team is introduced. Following the player intros, the newspapers are ripped up and thrown into the air celebrating the start of the game. Keep your eyes open for this fun tradition when attending a Bears game.

Fight Songs

  1. That Good Old Baylor Line

    That Good old Baylor Line
    That Good old Baylor Line
    We’ll march forever down the years
    As long as stars shall shine
    We’ll fling our Green and Gold afar
    To light the ways of time
    And guide us as we onward go
    That good old Baylor Line.
    (Give it a proper Sic ’em Bears!)

  2. Old Fite

    Bear down you Bears of old Baylor U,
    We’re all for you (GO BEARS)
    Show dear old Baylor spirit
    Through and through (GO BEARS)

    Fight them with all your might
    You Bruins bold
    And win all our victories for the Green and Gold!

    (spellout) B – A – Y – L – O – R

    Baylor Bears Fight!
    Fight them with all your might
    You Bruins bold
    And win all our victories for the Green and Gold!
    BAY – LOR – Baylor Bears Fight!

  3. Sic em Bears

    Raise your bear claw in the air with a sustained “heyyyy…” and shake your claw as if energy is surging through your arm, then explode with a booming “sic em!” as you swipe your bear claw down and across your body like a bear slashing it’s prey, and finish with your claw in the air like a bear holding the still-beating heart of its opponent and give a fierce “Bears!” yell. Join in the “Sic em Bears” chant to show off your support for the Bears.

    Heyyyy…
    Sic em!

  4. Who’s That?

    Chanted when opposing team players are introduced

    Who’s That?

  5. Baylor, Bears

    Half of the arena chants “Baylor” and the other half responds with “Bears”

    Baylor!
    Bears!

  6. Rip Em’ Up!

    Rip Em’ Up!