As a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the activities discussed in this article may currently be structured differently.  Some may look immensely different while some may just have minimal modifications to ensure the safety of our Baylor Family.

Baylor University and the Baylor MBA program have worked tirelessly to make the student experience as normal as possible, allowing students to share in opportunities and to participate in the typical traditions and experiences that Baylor and Waco offers.

Hello, my name is Amber Campman! I recently earned my MBA with a Business Analytics concentration from Baylor University. Being from Phoenix, Arizona, I was nervous about what the transition from a major out-of-state city to a smaller Texas town would be like when I decided to attend Baylor University. More specifically, I was unsure about what I was going to do with my free time outside of school. However, I’ve discovered that there are many great activities within the Baylor and Waco communities and I wanted to share some of my favorites in this blog post.

Baylor Athletics

While an undergraduate student at the University of Arizona, I worked for the athletics department and loved getting to attend multiple sporting events each week. Since I am so passionate about sports, I was very excited when I learned that all Baylor students have access to free tickets to athletics! Football season in the fall provided a great introduction to many of Baylor’s unique traditions and gave me the opportunity to bond with my MBA classmates. GBA hosted tailgates before most of the games as well, allowing students and their families to get to know each other on a personal level outside of the classroom. Baylor was among the best in the country for football, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball this past year, and it was exciting to be able to support the teams with my friends.

Student Life Center

The Student Life Center, otherwise known as the SLC (pronounced slick), is home to Baylor’s 3-tiered fitness facility including an indoor jogging track, 4 volleyball and basketball courts, cardio and strength-training equipment, and a 53 ft., free-standing rock climbing structure. SLC membership is included in Baylor’s student fees, but there are additional fitness class memberships that can be added on for a small fee as well. The SLC is conveniently located right across from the business school facilities which makes it easy to get in a workout before or after class.

Intramural Sports

During my undergrad career, I played in several different intramural leagues so I was thrilled to learn that Baylor graduate students can participate in intramurals as well. Baylor offers many different intramural sports including dodgeball, cornhole, and soccer. Several of my MBA classmates also formed a flag football team and we had a great time cheering them on to (almost) victory.

Cameron Park

One of my favorite ways to unwind after a busy school week is to walk along the Brazos River up to Cameron Park with friends. Cameron Park is a 400-acre municipal park located just minutes from campus with outstanding views and ample trails for hiking and biking. The first GBA event of the semester was hosted at Lover’s Leap, one of the park’s most popular vantage points with amazing river views.

Baylor Traditions

Baylor has many special traditions that differentiate it from other universities. One of the most memorable experiences I had during my first year at Baylor was Homecoming. Baylor celebrates Homecoming via several activities: a parade, a bonfire, a heavily anticipated theatrical production called Pigskin, several chapel events, and the Homecoming football game (including the largest collegiate homecoming parade in the country). Baylor also hosts Christmas on 5th Street each year to celebrate the beginning of Advent season with a live nativity scene, carriage rides, petting zoos, and more. Additionally, Baylor has a special holiday called Dia Del Oso in the spring semester during which classes are canceled and fun activities are planned to give students a much-needed break before finals.

Shopping

Waco has many great opportunities for shopping as well! One of the most popular destinations is the Magnolia Market at the Silos- Chip and Joanna Gaines’ shopping complex which features food trucks, a gardening center, and a bakery. One of my personal favorite shopping destinations is Spice Village, a collection of more than 60 boutique stores under one roof. This is a great place to stock up on Baylor gear and decorations and buy one-of-a-kind Christmas presents for family and friends.

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Check out the links below for more information on each of the activities mentioned in the article!

Baylor Traditions: https://www.baylor.edu/about/index.php?id=88779

Baylor Athletics: https://baylorbears.com/

SLC: https://www.baylor.edu/campusrec/index.php?id=928396

Baylor Intramurals: https://www.baylor.edu/campusrec/index.php?id=927438

Cameron Park: https://www.waco-texas.com/cms-parksandrecreation/page.aspx?id=310

Magnolia Market: https://magnolia.com/

Spice Village: https://spicewaco.com/

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About Baylor’s MBA Programs

Baylor’s MBA Programs are designed strategically for professionals looking to take their careers to the next level in leadership. Rigorous MBA classes taught by dedicated faculty and industry experts offer both theoretical knowledge and the practical skills required to succeed in modern global business. Wherever you are in your career today, Baylor has an MBA program to fit your lifestyle and move you toward your professional goals: Full-Time MBA, Executive MBA in Dallas, Executive MBA in Austin, and an Online MBA.

Prospective candidates can learn more about all Baylor MBA programs by visiting the Baylor MBA website: https://www.baylor.edu/business/mba/.