June 13, 2014

Thanks to Baylor Nation's continued generosity and loyalty, the Baylor Bear Foundation raised more than $12.7 million in scholarship support for the school's 19-sport intercollegiate athletics program. It marked the Foundation's 10th consecutive record-breaking fund-raising year on behalf of Baylor Athletics, as the 2013-14 tally was more than $3.4 million better than the previous record established in 2012-13.

"This has been a historic and exceptional year for the Bear Foundation," said Baylor Director of Athletics Ian McCaw. "We celebrate the BBF's 10th consecutive record-breaking year and first time to eclipse the $12 million mark. The momentum and excitement created by McLane Stadium and the outstanding performance of our teams this year was central to the fundraising success and increase of more than $3.3 million from last year. We are deeply indebted to Baylor Nation and our generous donors for providing scholarship support for our student-athletes."

For the recently ended fiscal year, the Bear Foundation established records for total members (4,600), as well as annual giving ($10.3 million) and overall contribution ($12.7 million) to Baylor Athletics. The Bear Foundation's year-end totals do not reflect any capital gifts received during the year, as the total gift each year only includes annual giving, endowment interest and sky box income.

Over the last 10 years, the Bear Foundation's annual support of scholarships for Baylor's student-athletes has nearly tripled, from $3.312 million in 2004-05 to 2013-14's record-breaking total. The Bear Foundation topped the $4 million mark for the first time in 2006-07, reached $5 million the following year (2007-08) and topped $6 million for the first time in 2008-09. The Foundation then cleared the $7 million threshold in 2010-11, surpassed the $8 million mark in 2011-12 and climbed past $9 million for the first time ever in 2012-13. Annual giving has increased from $2.565 million in 2004-05 to a record $10.3 million during the recently completed academic year.

In 2013-14, Baylor won a school-record seven Big 12 championships and saw 16 of its teams reach postseason play. The seven Big 12 titles equaled the most by a league school in 2013-14, and pushed the Bears' all-time Big 12 total to 57 championships, which ranks third among current Big 12 teams. BU ranks second in the league with 48 titles claimed since 2003-04.

Baylor football won its first-ever Big 12 championship en route to a fourth consecutive bowl bid and first BCS bowl appearance while registering the first 11-win season in program history. Other Baylor teams to win Big 12 titles in 2013-14 included women's basketball, men's tennis and women's tennis, all of which swept both the regular-season and tournament titles. In addition, Baylor saw its softball team finished tied for third at the Women's College World Series, while its women's basketball and men's tennis teams reached the Elite Eight in their respective NCAA Championships and men's basketball and women's tennis advanced to the NCAA's Sweet 16.

Individuals looking to join the Baylor Bear Foundation may call the Foundation office at 254.710.2582.