Mack Rhoades is taking a leave of absence
Athletics Director Mack Rhoades, who has led Baylor athletics since 2016, has taken a leave of absence from his posts as athletic director and College Football Playoff chairman. His absence, reportedly for “personal reasons,” comes just days after reports of multiple University investigations into Rhoades.
According to The Athletic’s coverage last week, Rhoades was investigated by the University after he was “alleged to have taken exception to a gold, long-sleeved undershirt worn by Baylor tight end Michael Trigg during the Bears’ home game against Arizona State on Sept. 20. According to the source, during the first quarter, Rhoades grabbed Trigg by the shirt on the sideline and, while using an expletive, questioned why he was wearing it.” The Athletic reported a Baylor spokesperson confirmed Rhoades was investigated for an incident, the University took “appropriate actions,” “and the matter is now closed.”
Read more about the alleged altercations with Trigg and another assistant coach from OutKick
This Thursday, Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger reported that Rhoades would be taking a leave of absence, effective November 12. Sports Illustrated reported, “Per Dellenger, the school was made aware of allegations [on Monday] involving Rhoades and is conducting an internal investigation. The allegations are unrelated to an incident involving a player and his wardrobe choice in a Sept. 20 conference tilt against Arizona State.” The University declined to comment further on Rhoades’ absence or the current investigation. Rhoades will also step away from his role as College Football Playoff chairman just three weeks before the College Football Playoff’s field is set to be announced.
Ken Starr appears in newly released Epstein correspondence
It’s not a secret that former Baylor President Ken Starr aided in financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s “sweetheart deal” and joined his legal team in the late 2000s. But Starr’s role in the Epstein saga resurfaced this week as the House Oversight Committee released thousands of new pages of documents about Epstein’s relations.
According to Chron’s reporting on the newly released emails, Starr and Epstein exchanged correspondence over several years, including throughout his Baylor presidency and after. The emails include friendly, personal sign-offs; bids to meet up in person; and mention of current topics.
Read more from Baptist News Global: “Ken Starr resurfaces in Epstein files”
The Bears are Ballin’
After the international win over Duke, Baylor women’s basketball shot through the AP ranking and landed a spot as No.7. Adding to the team’s success, redshirt sophomore Taliah Scott has been named Big 12 Player of the Week and was one of five USBWA Ann Meyers Drysdale Women’s National Players of the Week. Scott pushed a 12-point fourth quarter in Paris against the Blue Devils.
Baylor men’s basketball got off to a 2-0 start with a 78-69 win over Washington on Sunday afternoon at the Foster Pavilion. Six players hit double-figures with redshirt sophomore Cameron Carr leading with 16 points. Off the bench, sophomore guard Isaac Williams IV dropped 12 points – 11 of them in the second half, while senior center Caden Powell added his sixth career double-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and two of Baylor’s four blocks.
Ute Better Watch Out
Baylor football is set to host No.13 Utah in a crucial conference clash at 6 p.m. Saturday at McLane Stadium.
This is the Bears’ first time facing the Utes for a Big 12 game – their meetings in 2022 and 2023 came as non-conference games, both wins for Utah. Head coach Dave Aranda will look to flip the script after improving the offense during the bye week.
Tight end Michael Trigg, a Mackey Award semifinalist and recently added to the Biletnikoff Award list this week, continues to lead the Bears’ attack with 40 catches for 607 yards and six touchdowns.
The Goal Standard
No.23 Baylor soccer is set to host Texas State in the NCAA Tournament First Round; kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Betty Lou Mays Field.
This is the eighth time in series history that the two programs will go up against each other, and the second time the two meet up in the opening round of the tournament, Baylor earning a 3-0 win in 2011.
The Bears are 9-6 all-time in the NCAA Tournament; their last appearance was a 3-1 run to the quarterfinal round in 2018. Since taking the helm, head coach Michelle Lenard has led the Bears to a high-performing season and a program-best showing in the Big 12 Tournament.
Research Shows Menopause Relief Method
A new Baylor-led clinical trial found that a daily, self-guided hypnosis audio session can help ease menopausal hot flashes. The study, led by Gary R. Elkins, Ph.D., professor of psychology and neuroscience, tested whether at-home hypnosis could offer women an accessible, non-drug option for symptom relief.
Published in the JAMA Network Open, the multicenter randomized clinical trial followed over six weeks of data from women who had practiced hypnosis through audio recordings, saw a 53% decrease in hot flashes, later rising to 61% after three months.
In an article from Baylor, Elkins said, “While hormone replacement therapy is highly effective in reducing hot flashes, it is not a safe choice for everyone, and therefore, women need additional safe and effective alternatives.”
The study is the first to compare self-guided hypnosis with an active control condition, allowing researchers to understand the results that came from the technique itself and not just the placebo effect.
Remembering Dr. David Schlueter
Baylor Communication Professor Dr. David Schlueter has passed away at the age after a three-year-long battle with cancer.
Dr. Schlueter joined the university in 1984 and served as the department chair and graduate program director. He founded the Baylor in London study abroad program and guided more than 100 graduate students through their theses.
In an article from The Baylor Lariat, Dr. Blair Browning, professor and chair of Baylor’s Department of Communication, stated that, “He was a great and trusted friend in and out of the department. Everyone in our department is better for having worked with him — Dave was a gift to all of us and to Baylor.”
