TCU: By far their biggest & oldest rival, TCU and Baylor have battled over 110 times since 1899, and once shared the city of Waco Texas, until TCU’s main building burned down in a fire. They are now just 90 miles away, but the competition has never been fiercer. The epic battle in 2014, a 61-59 win by Baylor, will go down as one of the most exhilarating and exciting games ever, and we’re sure that the next few years will deliver some great ones as well!
Baylor and Texas Tech have been meeting on the gridiron since 1926 when the Bears beat the Red Raiders 34-0. The rivalry is one of the most closely contested of all time with the series tied at 37-37-1. If you’re looking to make a trip to Waco, then the rivalry game against Texas Tech is as good of a time to come as any.
Bears Tailgate Guide
Atmosphere
The recent success of the Baylor Bears football program has reinvigorated the city of Waco, Texas and the tens of thousands of Baylor Alumni throughout Texas, resulting in an energetic tailgate & pre-game atmosphere that was essentially non-existent ten years ago. Baylor’s brand new $266 Million Dollar McLane Stadium has positioned itself to be built around tailgating, which can be seen with their “BAYLOR THING,” the BAYLOR BAY & sailgating, and XYZ.
The stadium is actually about 2.5 miles from Campus, which benefits the tailgating because most fans will just stay near the stadium, making a louder & better experience for all. You’ll see tons of small Tailgating tents, plenty of giant BBQ’s & smokers serving up fantastic Texas food, while also a fair share of Baylor Bear Cookies. Baylor fans love playing ‘bags’ and other typical tailgate games, but it seems like they do it much more than other schools. Since Baylor is a Christian school, you won’t see people ‘getting after it’ as much as some other places, but that’s not to say there isn’t drinking, eating, and good times.
Finally, while walking around, you’ll see people throwing up a “Sic-Em” Bear gesture, so be sure to send one back and yell out “Sic-Em!!” as you’re doing it. Go Bears!
In the heart of the tailgating area next to Touchdown Alley and the Baylor Alumni Network Tent, the proud Baylor Bears will walk along the basin bridge and onto the stadium three hours before kickoff. It is a fun and exciting way for the town and fans to fire up the Bears as they prepare for the game.
Baylor has created an entire pre-game area for fans called “Touchdown Alley” on the turf of their old stadium. Touchdown Alley is the epicenter of Baylor Tailgating, but is also family-friendly, free, and has activities for everyone to enjoy. There’s inflatable jumping pits, a climbing wall, a 40-yard dash test, and many other fun things that any Baylor fan would love. They also host the pre-game show from Touchdown Alley, as well as show other games on the jumbotron in the Alley.
Situated proudly between McLane Stadium and Brazos River is the statue of Robert Griffin III, more commonly referred to as RG3. As Baylor’s only Heisman Trophy winner (2011), RG3 has been immortalized in a nine and a half foot tall bronze statue that many fans pass by on their walk to the stadium.
With the new McLane stadium sitting right near Brazos River, Baylor fans have recently started sailgating to the stadium. Nicknamed “Bearmada,” the river takes on a green and gold tint on game days as fans sail down the river in pontoons, houseboats, kayaks, and everything in between as early as 8 am.
McLane Stadium Tailgate Spots350 season-long tailgate spots and alumni spots which are located alongside the basin bridge Located outside of the south endzone, it is the perfect area to host a medium or large size tailgate party. Each spot is 30×30″ and includes: FREE cable hookup, FREE electric hookup, and parking pass for one vehicle.
Creekside Tailgating AreaThe Creekside Tailgating area is located along the creek on the west side of Floyd Casey Stadium, off of the main entrance off Valley Mills. With over 50 available spaces, this is the perfect spot to host a small to medium sized pre-game tailgate.
Sailgating With the new McLane stadium sitting right near Brazos River, Baylor fans have recently started sailgating to the stadium. Nicknamed “Bearmada,” the river takes on a green and gold tint on game days as fans sail down the river in pontoons, houseboats, kayaks, and everything in between as early as 8 am.
Bears Stadium Guide
In Game
Baylor is in the heart of Texas, and as a result, you better believe that Baylor fans live and die with their Bears. The newly opened McLane Stadium is a testament to the city of Waco’s love for the Bears as its one of the finest facilities in the Big 12. The $266 million state of the art facility is home to a wealth of amenities meaning you’ll find all of the creature comforts when attending a Bears game.
In addition to the Bears incredible new home, you’ll also experience a great in-game atmosphere when attending a Baylor football game. The love for the Bears can be felt all throughout Waco, especially inside McLane Stadium. The crowd works itself into a frenzy on game days, and you won’t be able to help but join in on the Baylor cheers and chants, unless you’re rooting for the other team of course.
Finally, you’ll find lots of pageantry on display at a Baylor game. The cheerleaders, marching band, and mascot Bruiser all do a superb job of enhancing the atmosphere with their performances. That said the most unforgettable part of a Bears football game is the Baylor Line, which takes place before the game so make sure to get to your seat early and take in this fun tradition.
The Bears beautiful new stadium, great fans, and wonderful traditions make attending a Baylor football game an unforgettable experience, so plan your trip to Waco today.
The athletic department at Baylor University released a mobile app which showcases breaking news, live stats, instant replay, and real-time parking information. Don’t worry about data usage as McLane Stadium also offers free WiFi.
It’s only fitting to have two live bears on the stadium premise for the Baylor Bears. During the first half of the game, Joy and Lady can be seen housed and on leashes in the end zone by the video board.
Introduced by the Baylor Yell Leaders in the 1960s, the Bear Claw is a hand signal used by all Bear fans throughout the game. The hand signal is made by slightly curving all five fingers to form a claw.
The Baylor line is of one Baylor’s longest, strongest, and most unique traditions over the years. It involves almost all the of the student section running onto the field before the game and then making a massive tunnel for the players to run through as they start the game.
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
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