Remembering a Banner Season

Rafters Real Estate at the Ferrell Center is becoming a crowded market. The newest tenant — a banner recognizing Baylor’s 2021 Men’s Basketball NCAA National Championship — was unveiled Nov. 12, 2021, prior to the Bears season-opening victory over Incarnate Word. Players who were a part of the magical season were also presented commemorative championship rings during pregame festivities.

“This is something I know our players and coaching staff will remember a long time,” Head Coach Scott Drew said during the pregame celebration that included a highlight video from last season. “I want to thank all the fans who came out. The administration did a phenomenal job celebrating the banner drop and ring ceremony.”

Baylor’s 2020-21 men’s basketball season was one for the ages. Along with claiming the program’s first national title, the Bears earned the program’s first conference title and first Final Four appearance since 1950. It was Baylor’s first appearance in the national title game since Bill Henderson’s 1948 squad lost to the University of Kentucky.

The Bears have reached the NCAA Tournament nine times since 2008 with five Sweet 16 and three Elite Eight showings since 2010. Furthermore, it should not be forgotten that Baylor was among the favorites to win the 2020 NCAA Tournament before it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The men’s basketball national championship banner that was unveiled in November joined the Ferrell Center’s evermore crowded rafters alongside four women’s basketball Final Four banners (three of which recognize national titles), six NCATA acrobatics and tumbling national title banners and the 2019 women’s volleyball national semifinalist banner.

Despite all that success, plenty of room remains for additional banners. Baylor’s volleyball team was the No. 5 overall seed in this year’s NCAA Tournament, while the men’s and women’s basketball teams both were ranked in the top five nationally as the 2021 calendar was coming to a close. Acrobatics and tumbling begins its season Feb. 5 and will again be a national title contender.