WACO, Texas — Baylor Bears fans are invited to the new Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion a little early this January for a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of the university's new home for Basketball on the Brazos.
At 5:15 p.m. on opening night on Jan. 2, Baylor will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new venue, with doors to the game opening to fans afterward at 5:30 p.m. The court will be blessed before tip-off on Jan. 3 by Baylor University Chaplain Dr. Burt Burleson.
A host of promotional activities and "game enhancements" are planned for the two opening days at Foster Pavilion, Baylor said, including a unique, limited-edition commemorative coin for both nights.
Inside the Pavilion, Baylor says fans can expect "new atmospheric elements" and halftime entertainment, with dog and partner act Christian and Scooby performing during the men's game and performer Red Panda taking the stage during halftime at the women's game.
Before the games, local favorites will take to the court, such as four-year letterwinner Matt Sayman providing the opening game invocation on Jan. 2 and Holly Tucker from The Voice performing the National Anthem on Jan. 3.
Baylor said Foster Pavilion will feature an exclusive student entrance for Baylor students as well as a student section that spans three sections, courtside, lower baseline and upper baseline.
To honor students returning to campus during the break, Baylor Athletics will also reportedly have a piece of basketball court for students to sign that will hang in Foster Pavilion for "years to come". Students will also have a chance to receive "exclusive swag" to wear on game days.
The Jan. 3 game will feature the first t-shirt from the new Baylor student collection for Big-12 matchups, according to Baylor, and will be given to the first 100 students in attendance.
Student can claim their tickets at the Student Game Day website.
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