Associated Baptist Press
Baylor University announced March 13 receipt of its largest capital gift in history from Houston Astros owner Drayton McLane and his wife, Elizabeth. The amount was not specified, but the donation was described as a “leadership gift” toward building a new football stadium.
The gift includes naming rights, and McLane, a 1958 Baylor graduate, and the family asked that it be named Baylor Stadium. It will be built on campus on 93 acres near Interstate 35. At first it will hold 45,000 spectators, with flexibility to expand to 55,000 in the future.
The Baylor football team finished 10-3 in 2011, earning its highest poll rankings since 1986. Quarterback Robert Griffin III, meanwhile, won the Heisman Trophy, the award given to the nation’s best player.
Currently Baylor plays its home games at Floyd Casey Stadium, located about four miles from campus and built in 1950.