Sports Briefs

Petty honored with Bowden Award for epitomizing character and service

Baylor senior quarterback Bryce Petty added to his long list of honors when he was named the 2014 Seminole Tribe of Florida Bobby Bowden Award winner in January. The award, which recognizes the Football Bowl Subdivision player who best epitomizes a student-athlete, was presented to Petty by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Dallas. Candidacy is based on conduct as exemplary models in the classroom, on the field, on the campus and in the community. The award is named after former Florida State University head football coach Bobby Bowden.

"This is meaningful for me for two reasons," Petty said, "first it's an award about Christ, and to me that's the ultimate prize anyway--when we talk about success, it needs to be credited to the One who has enabled us to have success."

"Second, the platform we have as football players is not to be taken for granted … We've been given a great opportunity--we need to keep it in perspective--it's not just about wins on the field, it's as much about off the field accomplishments."

Petty's Baylor experience took him far beyond the gridiron and classroom, and it allowed him to serve as a role model in many ways. He traveled to Kenya for a mission trip with Baylor student-athletes in May 2011, volunteered with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization and was part of BU's Fellowship of Christian Athletes group.

Baylor student-athletes achieve Big 12's top graduation success rate

As fans pore over AP Top 25 rankings and Big 12 standings, the latest Baylor ranking shouldn't go unnoticed. Baylor Athletics achieved the Big 12's top Graduate Success Rate (GSR) in 2014, proving once again that Baylor's athletic excellence extends to the classroom--and prepares Bears and Lady Bears with a foundation for success after their playing days are over. Baylor's composite score of 88 in 2014 was two points better than the 2013 score, and was a full six points above the national average.

"We are honored to once again lead the Big 12 in Graduation Success Rate," said Baylor Director of Athletics Ian McCaw. "Baylor Athletics' strong academic performance is a credit to the dedication of our student-athletes, academic commitment of our coaches and outstanding work of the student-athlete services team. Moreover, Baylor's faculty play a vital role in the academic development of our student-athletes and are to be commended for their outstanding work in the classroom."

Baylor has received the top honor four times, last pacing the Big 12 in 2008, and has finished first or second for six of the last eight years. Graduation Success Rate is an NCAA metric to accurately gauge student-athlete success. As opposed to a more simple graduation rate, the GSR accounts for transfers and midyear enrollees, rather than counting them with their old school, and doesn’t penalize colleges for students who transfer elsewhere.

Why are Baylor Bears and Lady Bears so successful? It's certainly a credit to them and the caliber of student-athletes Baylor attracts. If you were to travel with a Baylor team on a multi-day trip, you'd undoubtedly find athletes in hotel lobbies or common areas, studying and keeping up with classwork amidst their games. But it also speaks to the University and athletics department itself--from Baylor Student-Athlete Services, which helps athletes juggle the dual roles of student and athlete, to professors who take the time to assist them in their courses, answer questions and help them keep up with classwork amidst the demands of travel--it's an honor for the whole University.

Ryan McGuyre named 9th volleyball head coach in school history

Ryan McGuyre has been hired as the ninth head volleyball coach in school history, Director of Athletics Ian McCaw announced Dec. 24. McGuyre comes to Baylor with a wealth of coaching experience, including the past two seasons as Florida State's associate head coach.

"Baylor University and our volleyball program will be blessed by the appointment of Ryan McGuyre," McCaw said. "Ryan is a truly exceptional coach, recruiter, leader and mission fit. We look forward to him building a championship program at Baylor."

McGuyre has coached at the collegiate level for both men and women since 1999 including head-coaching stints at California Baptist and Biola University, both of which are faith-based institutions.

"I'm excited to be at a place that shares the same values and passions that Baylor has," said McGuyre. "I feel that it’s a place where I can be comfortable, but also in a progressive environment as far as where the athletic department is heading. To be where you can impact student-athletes' lives through sports in the Christian atmosphere is where I feel I can flourish the most."

McGuyre takes over for Jim Barnes who completed his 11th season in 2014 as head coach of the Bears. Baylor was 14-17 overall and 4-12 in Big 12 competition in 2014.

Tijerina Named Big 12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year in Cross Country

Baylor student-athlete Jonathan Tijerina was named the 2014 Big 12 Men's Cross Country Scholar-Athlete of the Year in December, as selected by the league's coaches.

Tijerina, a biology major from Marshall, Texas, maintains a 4.0 GPA and competed in seven meets for the Bears in 2014. He was a scoring runner in six of those seven outings, including a season-high ninth-place finish at the UTA Season Opener. He was BU's second runner to finish at the NCAA South Central Regional Championships.

The senior has been named to the Academic All-Big 12 first team each of the last three seasons and is a regular on the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll selection.

Tijerina joins Blake Niccum (2012) as scholar-athletes for the men’s cross country team.

Nominees must be a junior or senior in athletic and academic standings, have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.2, participate in at least 60 percent of the team's scheduled contests, and have a minimum of one year in residence at the institution in order to qualify.