Baylor refuses school-themed Jeep after dealer’s insensitive comment
The NCAA men’s basketball national champion Baylor Bears refused to accept a school-themed Jeep after Ted Teague, general manager of the Allen Samuels dealership in Waco, Texas made an inappropriate comment about the team’s recruiting strategy.
In an interview with KWTX-TV prior to Baylor’s championship parade on Tuesday night, Teague said that head coach Scott Drew could, “use it [the Jeep] to recruit, pull some people out of the hood.”
“We have spoken to Ted Teague regarding his comments made last night,” said Baylor Athletic Director Mack Rhoades and Drew in a joint statement. “His remarks do not align with out institutional values or the culture of our athletic programs. We can confirm we are not accepting the Jeep driven in the parade on Tuesday. As a department, we are committed to recruiting a diverse group of student-athletes, coaches, and staff all of whom are valued members of our community.”
The Allen Samuels dealership had previously gifted Baylor’s women basketball coach Kim Mulkey a Corvette to drive for a year after the team won national titles in 2005, 2012, and 2019.
“I instantly knew it was the absolute wrong word,” Teague said in a statement of his own. “I know that I disrespected a countless number of people within our amazing Waco community, and beyond. I am deeply disappointed and saddened by my actions and offer each of you my most sincere apologies.”
