History of Baylor University in Timeline

Baylor University, established in 1845, is a private Baptist research university located in Waco, Texas. Chartered by the Republic of Texas, it is situated on the Brazos River between Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin. Baylor is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

1900: University of Dallas Medical Department Founded

In 1900, three physicians founded the University of Dallas Medical Department in Dallas, even though a university by that name did not exist at the time.

1903: Baylor Acquires Medical School

In 1903, Baylor University acquired the University of Dallas Medical Department, which then became known as the Baylor College of Medicine, remaining in Dallas.

1906: Baylor Alma Mater Created

In 1906, a Baylor student wrote humorous words to the tune of "In the Good Old Summer Time," which became the school's fight song and later influenced the "Baylor Line" tune.

November 1909: First Homecoming Celebrations Originated at Baylor

In November 1909, the nation's first homecoming celebrations originated at Baylor.

1910: Homecoming Celebration Adopted by the University of Illinois

In 1910, the homecoming celebration was adopted by the University of Illinois after it originated at Baylor.

1911: Homecoming Celebration Adopted by the University of Missouri

In 1911, the homecoming celebration was adopted by the University of Missouri after it originated at Baylor.

1914: Mascot Elected

In 1914, Baylor students elected the university's mascot, the American black bear.

1919: Founding of Baylor Chamber of Commerce

In 1919, the Baylor Chamber of Commerce, a co-educational spirit organization, was founded to uphold Baylor's traditions.

1924: Founding of the Noble NoZe Brotherhood

In 1924, the Noble NoZe Brotherhood, an unofficial fraternal organization, was founded to study the art of bridge construction in association with the BBA (Baylor Bridge Association).

January 22, 1927: Immortal Ten Bus Accident

On January 22, 1927, a bus-train accident in Round Rock, Texas, led to the deaths of ten student athletes, who became known as the Immortal Ten. This event is commemorated during Homecoming Week.

1928: Baylor University Golden Wave Band Name Origin

In 1928, the Baylor University Golden Wave Band (BUGWB) got its name when observers on tour in West Texas noted that the band members' gold uniforms looked like a giant "golden wave" sweeping over the landscape.

1929: Robert Foster Cherry Graduation

In 1929, Robert Foster Cherry, a graduate of Baylor (A.B., 1929), graduated from Baylor and later made an estate bequest to establish the Robert Foster Cherry Award.

1936: Baylor Bears Play at Waco/Municipal Stadium

In 1936, the Baylor Bears began playing their home football games at Waco/Municipal Stadium.

1943: Offer to Build Larger Facilities Refused

In 1943, Dallas civic leaders offered to build larger facilities for the university in a new medical center if the College of Medicine surrendered its denominational alliances with the Baptist state convention. The Baylor administration refused the offer, and subsequently moved the College of Medicine to Houston.

July 1948: Air Force ROTC Detachment 810 Created

In July 1948, Baylor University partnered with the Air Force to create Air Force ROTC Detachment 810.

1949: Baylor Bears Play at Waco/Municipal Stadium

In 1949, the Baylor Bears played their home football games at Waco/Municipal Stadium.

1950: Team Moves to Floyd Casey Stadium

In 1950, the Baylor Bears football team moved to the newly constructed Floyd Casey Stadium, originally named Baylor Stadium.

1964: First Black Students Admitted

In 1964, Baylor University admitted its first black students, with Robert Gilbert of Waco becoming the first black graduate.

1969: Baylor College of Medicine Becomes Independent

In 1969, the Baylor College of Medicine became technically independent from Baylor University, though the two institutions still maintained strong links.

1970: Baylor Line Tradition Begins

In 1970, the Baylor Line tradition began, with new students wearing special football jerseys and rushing the field before home football games.

1981: Bruiser Mascot Introduced

In 1981, the university's costumed mascot, Bruiser, was introduced at the beginning of the 1981–1982 basketball season.

1982: Bruiser Mascot Appears at Events

Starting with the 1981-1982 basketball season, the mascot Bruiser appears at football and basketball events, along with university pep rallies and community events.

1991: Partial Independence Granted

In 1991, Baylor University began appointing the majority of its board, which granted it partial independence from the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

1994: Baylor Line Tradition Changes

Until 1994, only male students were allowed to run the Baylor Line.

1996: Best in AFROTC Southwest Region Award

In 1996, Detachment 810 was named best in the AFROTC Southwest Region.

1996: Initial Funding for Immortal Ten Statue

In 1996, the senior class provided initial funding to create an Immortal Ten statue on the Baylor campus.

1998: Chip Gaines Graduates

In 1998, Chip Gaines graduated from Baylor University.

1998: Floyd Casey Stadium Renovation

In 1998, Floyd Casey Stadium was renovated.

2001: Joanna Gaines Graduates

In 2001, Joanna Gaines graduated from Baylor University.

2003: Best in AFROTC Southwest Region Award

In 2003, Detachment 810 was named best in the AFROTC Southwest Region.

2004: Men's Tennis Team Wins NCAA Title

In 2004, the Baylor men's tennis team defeated UCLA in the championship match to garner the university's first NCAA title.

2005: Invitation to Collider Detector at Fermilab Collaboration

In 2005, Baylor University was invited to join the Collider Detector at Fermilab (CDF) collaboration at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia, Illinois.

2005: Floyd Casey Stadium Renovation

In 2005, Floyd Casey Stadium was renovated.

2005: Lady Bears Basketball Team Wins NCAA Title

In 2005, the Baylor Lady Bears basketball team beat Michigan State in the championship game and was subsequently nominated for a "Best Team" ESPY.

June 22, 2007: Immortal Ten Statue Unveiled

On June 22, 2007, the Immortal Ten statue, sculpted by Bruce R. Greene, was unveiled on the Baylor campus.

November 2, 2007: Immortal Ten Memorial Dedicated

On November 2, 2007, the Immortal Ten memorial was officially dedicated during Homecoming in Traditions Square.

December 31, 2007: Endowment Passes $1 Billion

On December 31, 2007, Baylor University's endowment passed $1 billion, reaching $1,055,478,000.

June 30, 2008: Endowment Growth Despite Financial Crisis

Even with the 2008 financial crisis, Baylor's endowment grew 5.1% in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008.

2008: Awards for Air Force ROTC Detachment 810

In 2008, Air Force ROTC Detachment 810 was awarded the Air Force ROTC Right Of Line Award as the No. 1 large detachment in the nation. The unit was additionally awarded the High Flight Award.

2008: Scott Drew's Coaching Success Begins

In 2008, under head coach Scott Drew, the Baylor men's basketball team started a successful period, achieving a record of 121–55 (.688) between the 2008 and 2012 seasons.

October 2009: Creation of Central Texas Technology and Research Park

In October 2009, a group of state, county and city governments and organizations and higher educational institutions in Central Texas announced the creation of the Central Texas Technology and Research Park, and the park's first project, the Baylor Research and Innovation Collaborative (BRIC).

2009: The Blind Side Nominated for Best Picture

In 2009, The Blind Side, a film with works including screenwriter and director John Lee Hancock (a Baylor Graduate), was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.

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March 4, 2010: $200 Million Donation

On March 4, 2010, an anonymous longtime Baylor donor set up an estate provision that will benefit the school to the tune of an estimated $200 million to bolster Baylor's research on the issues of aging.

2010: Baylor Basketball Advances to Elite Eight

In 2010, the Baylor men's basketball team reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA 'March Madness' Championship tournament.

November 1, 2011: Baylor Programs Achieve Combined Wins

Beginning November 1, 2011, Baylor's football and men's and women's basketball programs started a stretch of 40 consecutive wins.

2011: Ekpe Udoh Drafted in First Round

In 2011, Ekpe Udoh, a former Baylor basketball player, was drafted in the first round of the NBA draft.

2011: Robert Griffin III Wins Heisman Trophy

In 2011, junior quarterback Robert Griffin III of the Baylor Bears football team was awarded both the 2011 Heisman Trophy and National Player of the Year honors.

2011: NCAA Record for Combined Wins

In the 2011–2012 season, Baylor broke the NCAA record for most combined wins in the four major collegiate sports: baseball, football, and men's and women's basketball.

January 16, 2012: Baylor Programs Continue Winning Streak

Ending on January 16, 2012, Baylor's football and men's and women's basketball programs concluded a stretch of 40 consecutive wins.

July 2012: New Football Stadium Announced

In July 2012, following "The Year of the Bear," Baylor announced plans to construct a new $260 million football stadium, to be called "McLane Stadium," on the university's campus.

2012: Baylor Athletics Achieves Record Year

In 2012, known as "The Year of the Bear", Baylor Athletics saw the football team defeat Oklahoma and TCU, the men's basketball team reach the NCAA Elite Eight, and the women's basketball team win the national title with a 40-0 record. The baseball team also had a strong season, reaching the NCAA Super Regionals.

2012: Lady Bears Basketball Team Wins NCAA National Championship

In 2012, the Baylor Lady Bears basketball team beat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the NCAA National Championship, becoming the first college basketball team to ever finish with a perfect 40–0 record.

2012: Baylor Basketball Advances to Elite Eight; Multiple Players Drafted

In 2012, the Baylor men's basketball team reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA 'March Madness' Championship tournament. Additionally, during the 2012 season, Perry Jones III, Quincy Acy, and Quincy Miller were drafted in the second round of the NBA draft.

2012: NCAA Record for Combined Wins

In the 2011–2012 season, Baylor broke the NCAA record for most combined wins in the four major collegiate sports: baseball, football, and men's and women's basketball.

May 2013: Endowment Exceeds $1.1 Billion

As of May 2013, Baylor University's endowment exceeded $1.1 billion.

2013: LGBTQ Student Organization Ban

In 2013, a university official stated that Baylor could not have an LGBTQ student organization on campus due to the complexity of the issue.

2014: McLane Stadium Opens

In the fall of 2014, McLane Stadium, holding 45,000 spectators, opened on the Baylor University campus.

2015: Ban on Homosexual Acts Lifted

In 2015, Baylor University lifted a ban on various forms of sexual conduct, including "homosexual acts", modifying its Code of Conduct.

2015: External Review of Sexual Assault Handling

In 2015, the Baylor Board of Regents hired law firm Pepper Hamilton to conduct an external review of Baylor's handling of sexual assaults. The review found failures in Title IX implementation and discouragement of reporting sexual assaults.

August 2016: Resignations Following Sexual Assault Report

In August 2016, following the release of the Pepper Hamilton report on Baylor's handling of sexual assaults, Ken Starr resigned as law professor, after previously being fired as President but retained as Chancellor and law school professor. Head football coach Art Briles was also fired.

October 28, 2017: Alumnae Join Baylor Line Run

Before the football game on Saturday, October 28, 2017, alumnae who were not previously allowed to participate were invited to join the Freshmen in the Baylor Line run.

2019: Baylor Wins NCAA Title

In 2019, Baylor won an NCAA title.

2020: Chip and Joanna Gaines Leave HGTV

In 2020, Chip and Joanna Gaines left HGTV after being offered an opportunity to develop and star in their own network – Magnolia Network.

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2021: Nickname Change for Women's Teams

As of the 2021–22 school year, all of Baylor's athletic teams are nicknamed "Bears", with the last three women's teams dropping "Lady" from their names in fall 2021.

2021: Acknowledgement of Past Ties to Slavery and Confederacy

In 2021, Baylor University released an independent historical report acknowledging past slave ownership and support for the Confederacy by R. E. B. Baylor and two founders, which were facts not previously acknowledged by the university.

2021: University Classified as R1 Doctoral University

In 2021, Baylor University was classified among "R1: Doctoral universities with very high research activity".

2021: Magnolia Network Launched

In 2021, Chip and Joanna Gaines' Magnolia Network began airing as part of the Discovery Family of Networks.

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2021: Founding of Unofficial LGBTQ Student Organization

In 2021, an unofficial LGBTQ student organization on campus, Gamma Alpha Upsilon, or GAY in Greek letters, was founded.

2021: Baylor Basketball Advances to Elite Eight

In 2021, the Baylor men's basketball team reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA 'March Madness' Championship tournament.

2021: Bears Men's Basketball Team Wins NCAA National Championship

In 2021, the Bears men's basketball team won the NCAA National Championship after beating the Gonzaga Bulldogs 86–70, marking the university's first men's national championship.

July 18, 2022: Joy the Bear Dies

On July 18, 2022, Joy, one of Baylor's live bear mascots, died.

2022: Intramural Sports Offered

As of Fall 2022, Baylor offers various intramural sports in which students participate by building teams within campus organizations, sororities/fraternities, residence halls, and personal friend groups.

2022: Chartering of Official LGBT Organization

In 2022, Baylor chartered an official LGBT organization called "Prism", that follows the University's "Statement on Human Sexuality", which affirms "purity in singleness and fidelity in marriage between a man and a woman as the biblical norm" and prohibits advocacy groups from promoting "understandings of sexuality that are contrary to biblical teaching", including "homosexual behavior".

May 1, 2023: Request for Title IX Exemption

On May 1, 2023, Baylor University's President Linda Livingstone requested a formal exemption from provisions of federal Title IX law related to the discrimination and harassment of LGBTQ+ individuals.

May 2023: New Bear Cubs Welcomed

In May 2023, Baylor University welcomed two new bear cubs, Indy and Belle, to campus as the new live mascots.

July 25, 2023: Title IX Exemption Granted

On July 25, 2023, the Office for Civil Rights responded acknowledging exemption to Title IX for a number of provisions related to the discrimination of LGBTQ+ individuals, including "rules of private organizations" and "sexual harassment".

2024: Baylor Enrollment and Classification

As of Fall 2024, Baylor University's total enrollment was 20,626 students. The university is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity" and participates in 19 intercollegiate sports as a member of the Big 12 Conference in NCAA Division I.

2025: Forbes Rankings

For the 2025 report, Forbes ranked Baylor 188th out of the top 500 rated private and public colleges and universities in America, 109th among private colleges, and 42nd in the south.

2025: U.S. News & World Report Rankings

In the 2025 "Best Colleges" rankings by U.S. News & World Report, Baylor was ranked tied for 88th best "national university" in the U.S., tied at 27th for "Best Undergraduate Teaching", tied at 38th for "Most Innovative".