Trading tents for boats, tailgating along the Brazos River remains one of Baylor University’s most signature gameday traditions. As the construction of McLane Stadium was underway, Baylor saw a unique opportunity for the community to support the Bears in a new way. It was envisioned as a new beginning for fans during home games — and that vision still lives on today. No walk across Humphrey’s bridge before a Baylor home game is complete without boats filling the Brazos River on both sides. Tailgating on a boat, or sailgating, has become a cherished game day ritual in Waco.
The $266 million stadium project was finished in 2014, just in time for the 2014-2015 football season. Directly adjacent to the stadium, fans indulge in the pre-game environment and the buzz of McLane Stadium while on the water. The river also feeds into the Baylor Basin where fans can tie their boats off and either head into the game or keep the sailgate energy flowing. However, Baylor is not the first school to have this tradition. Other universities that sailgate include University of Tennessee and University of Washington, along with some NFL teams.
The tradition became such a hit that Baylor fans even gave themselves a nickname — The Bearmada. The variety of boats, kayaks, and pontoon boats, decked out in green and gold, share the water before games, gathering as early as 8 a.m. Many boats feature Baylor flags and speakers blasting the Baylor Fight Song, “Baylor Fight: Bear Down, You Fight!” Night games fuel the creativity even more as fans place neon lights on their boat to support their team’s colors. On your next walk across the bridge, be sure to look out and wave to the sailgaters!
