Baylor University McLane Stadium

The new facility would physically represent the future of Baylor University, while integrating sympathetically with existing campus architecture.

The stadium occupies a prominent position. Next to Interstate 35, over 43 million people pass the site each year. This presented a golden opportunity for our designers to introduce the Baylor brand to an enormous audience.

Our planning team started by creating a lagoon around the stadium. The idea was to promote ‘sailgating,’ which has become a tradition at each game, attracting a flotilla of Bears fans, who take to the water to enjoy the festivities. An outdoor amphitheater and walking path invite visitors to enjoy the setting year-round. This new landscape has woven together the campus and downtown Waco, creating an important economic engine for both entities. 

Inside the stadium, a variety of premium options create comfort for discerning fans while a beautiful canopy protects them from the bright Texas sun. The Baylor Line has a rightful home in creating a menacing home field advantage.

Since the opening of McLane Stadium in 2014, downtown Waco has been revitalized, with a boom in development along the Brazos Riverfront, while college applications and donations have increased. The stadium has reconnected a region, a city and a campus around the traditions, culture and passion of Baylor’s football program.