In 2004, I was offered the amazing opportunity to join the athletics staff at Baylor to lead our “B” Association. It was a daunting task for two reasons: 1) I would be following in the footsteps of two legends who occupied the role before me, coach Lee Harrington and coach Dutch Schroeder; and 2) I began my role as director at one of the most difficult times in Baylor athletic history. The Alumni Association was embroiled in a heated legal battle with the university, the men’s basketball program was beginning to emerge from one of the biggest scandals in college basketball, and our football program was struggling, having won a total of only 12 games in the previous five seasons. Baylor had not experienced a darker period in modern history. Morale was low as was the outlook for the future. I began to wonder if I had made a mistake resigning from my position at the American Football Coaches Association where I spent the previous 10 years working alongside my mentor and former football coach, Grant Teaff.
However, my spirits were lifted one day after having a conversation with Baylor’s newly hired, young, and energetic men’s basketball coach, Scott Drew. Drew had taken over a program that was in utter ruins. The program he inherited faced stiff NCAA sanctions that included cuts in scholarships and a ban from post-season tournament play. Equally damaging was the relentless negative recruiting he faced on the recruiting trail. Despite all this, Coach Drew always appeared positive and upbeat. During a visit to his office one afternoon, I asked Drew how he responded to recruits who were told they would never win at Baylor. I’ll never forget what he said. He said, “When a recruit tells me that coaches from other schools say they won’t ever win at Baylor, I tell him that coach doesn’t believe he’s a winner and that I’m recruiting him because I believe he IS a winner. That’s why I’m recruiting him – I believe he can help us win a championship at Baylor.” From that very moment, I knew Scott Drew would be successful at Baylor. His success at Baylor is nothing short of miraculous. Thank you, Coach Drew for being our coach and for believing and proving that we are more than what others say we are.
Drew is just one example of the outstanding coaches we have leading the sports programs at Baylor – Despite the many obstacles they face, (come what may) they continue to be strong Christian men and women who have dedicated their lives to developing our student-athletes into winners on and off the field.
Sic ‘em!
Walter Abercrombie
Executive Director, Baylor “B” Association
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Amen!!
You are right on in praising Scott Drew. We are lucky and honored to have him, and lucky and honored to have Walter Abecrombie as our B Assoc. Director .
Walter, you have done a great job and continue to do a great job. You have a tremendous influence at Baylor and are one of the reasons for B.U. success. We have been through some tough scandles, but with the dedication of the administration and the hiring of excellent coaches with Christian Integrity, we will overcome as Coach Drew has done. The coach wears many hats. I played for the Dutchman and he was my help in my time of need. He was the Best Coach I ever had and taught me way more than I thought I needed to know. I didn’t know, what I didn’t know, but Coach knew more about baseball than anyone I have ever known.
Keep up the good work, Walter; the Lord will Bless us, as He always does, if we will “Believe,” as Caoch Drew and Coach Teaff did.
Sic’em Bears!
Jim Fox, Baylor Baseball ’59-’63.
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