Why Baylor’s bowl berth is a university-wide Christmas gift

Many of the benefits of Baylor’s berth in this year’s Russell Athletic Bowl in Orlando are obvious. It extends Baylor’s bowl streak to a program-record six straight years, and pits the No. 17 Bears against the 10th-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels in a matchup that’s considered one of this year’s top five bowl games. The game also provides Baylor fans with one more opportunity to cheer on players we’ll miss next year.

But the Russell Athletic Bowl means more than a well-deserved reward for another strong season; it’s a Christmas present to the entire university. Bowl games provide Baylor with a chance to showcase its offerings to new audiences and potential future Bears, and gather the Baylor family in areas across the country. And while a bowl game lasts only a few hours, it provides weeks worth of opportunity to connect and grow Baylor Nation in meaningful ways.

For the football team: As we’ve grown accustomed to Baylor bowl appearances, we almost forget the old days when the season was usually long over by the time Christmas rolled around. Since practices end when the season ends for each team, bowl games mean the team gets to practice and work together an additional month each year. Six straight bowl appearances means Baylor has received six months of additional practice since 2010, allowing coaches and veterans to fine-tune and younger players additional practice time to grow.

The Russell Athletic Bowl also brings the football team to the state of Florida for the first time under Coach Briles, providing the chance to expose the Bears’ exciting brand of football to potential recruits in one the nation’s most gifted football states. Florida is generally considered one of the big three states for recruiting, making it fertile ground for any program looking for talent.

For the university: Again, it’s about building recognition of the Baylor name. Baylor has made a practice of advertising heavily (billboards, print, radio and television ads) in each market where Baylor plays a bowl. (For instance, three years ago, Baylor’s ads generated buzz in San Diego when the Bears played in the Holiday Bowl.) This year, it’s fans in Orlando and central Florida who will learn more about what makes Baylor distinct. For students in greater Orlando who desire a top-notch education and a Christian environment, that presence in town could be a tipping point that gets them to consider Baylor for their college experience.

For alumni: Baylor alumni in Florida are the most obvious beneficiaries of the Russell Athletic Bowl berth; they get to see Baylor football in their own backyard for the first time in years. But for alumni who travel to the game, it’s a chance to cheer on the Bears in one of the world’s top tourist destinations, with Disney World, beaches and more beckoning to fans who want to extend gameday into a few days of family fun. Baylor Sports Network events also provide the opportunity for Florida alums who may not make it back to campus as often as they like to reconnect with their alma mater and fellow Bears.

For students: Dollar for dollar, it’s Baylor students for whom the bowl game is the greatest present (and certainly the best value). Approximately 250 Baylor students will be making the trip to the game via bus, as they have for each of the last several bowl games — and what a deal they’ll be getting! Students who took advantage of Baylor’s special bowl package get transportation, a ticket to the game, hotel accommodations, and a day at Walt Disney World — all for just $150! A chance to make lifelong memories, cheer on the Bears, visit the happiest place on earth (outside of the Baylor campus, that is) — all for less than the cost of one night in a hotel? Yes, that’s quite a Christmas present for Baylor students.

While the game is the main event, the benefits of a bowl game are a Christmas present to the entire university. Baylor is taking advantage. Will you?

Sic ’em, Bears!