By Marquis Cooley | Sports Editor
Baylor Athletics’ annual Meet the Bears event will return to McLane Stadium this year after being held remotely last year due to COVID-19. The free event will take place from 2:30 to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
The event is a way for Baylor Athletics to show their appreciation to the fans and students that support them and watch their games. As part of the event fans will be able to get autographs and take pictures with student-athletes and coaches from Baylor football and several members of Baylor’s 19 athletic teams. This opportunity makes Baylor students, such as Fort Worth freshman Daniela Marquez, excited to attend.
“It feels nice,” Marquez said. “It feels like you’re meeting a celebrity and getting to see how everybody works together as a team. It’s just pretty cool overall.”
While the coaches and student-athletes that will be in attendance have not been announced yet, fans can expect some big names to appear. At the 2019 Meet the Bears event, former Baylor football head coach Matt Rhule and former QB Charlie Brewer were featured, as well as President Linda Livingstone and first gent Brad Livingstone. However, there are few teams in particular that fans would like to meet.
“I’d like to see the basketball team,” Austin freshman Will Pasternak said. “It was exciting seeing them win March Madness last year. I also played football in high school, so it’d be cool to see all the football players.”
Outside of meeting coaches and student-athletes, attendees will be able to meet Baylor mascots Bruiser and Marigold. Students also have the option to participate in other activities such as inflatable games, face painting, photo opportunities as well as visit Bruiser’s Locker Room and the Sideline Shop to purchase Baylor gear.
While the event is open to the Waco community, Baylor freshmen seem the most eager to attend as a way to get acquainted with the Baylor community.
“I think that’s a super cool idea to just get together and make new friends that have similar interests as you do,” Marquez said.
They also want to show their love for Baylor Athletics.
“School spirit is why I’m going,” Chino, Calif. freshman Saumith Pottlapelli said. “Just putting a personality to a face you see on the TV is cool.”
For information about the event check the Baylor Athletics website.
