Baylor Bears Rank Third in Big 12 Championships Over Last Seven Years

Take note Big 12 breakup promoters: the Baylor Bears aren’t going anywhere.

First and foremost, just look at the past seven seasons in conference play.

Baylor, during that span, has won 28 regular season and tournament championships—placing them in third place in the Big 12 behind just Texas (55) and Texas A&M (30).

Don’t believe me? Just ask the Bears’ new university president, Ken Starr.

“Of course, we are immensely proud of our standing—both athletic and academic—in the Big 12,” Starr said through an emailed statement to Baylor students and alumni on Friday evening, June 4. “The academic quality of our students also sets Baylor apart. In the most recent edition of ‘America’s Best Colleges’ by U.S. News & World Report , Baylor is ranked fourth in the Big 12.”

According to Starr, the spring meetings of the Big 12 Conference just recently concluded prior to Friday’s statement being released.

“The media attention that has focused on the potential for conference realignment has made these meetings especially lively and, at times, challenging,” Starr said.

But that hasn’t stopped Starr and the Bears from making a point to let everyone know that Baylor is a conference leader.

Starr, along with athletic director Ian McCaw, have spent the past several days participating in the conference meetings—and thus far, they are encouraged by the events that have unfolded. 

“Ian and I have made our case clear: Baylor emphatically supports the Big 12 Conference and wants to see it prosper,” Starr said. “In particular, we appreciate our fellow Texas institutions in the Big 12 and the special rivalries that entertain our state and energize our alumni.”

Regardless of the major media attention and story ideas surrounding the possibility of a Big 12 breakup, the Bears are doing everything in their power to stay put.

“We are aware of the intense speculation surrounding the possible expansion of other conferences,” Starr said. “We remain hopeful that the Big 12 will remain intact and continue to be one of the nation’s foremost athletic conferences.

“Be assured that we are committed to doing everything in our power to promote and defend the best interests of Baylor University as these discussions continue in the days ahead.”

Denton Ramsey may be reached via email at [e-mail]

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