Fine Arts Events

Spain's Historic Stay at Baylor for FIFA 2026 Training

July 12, 2026 1:19 PM

Updated July 13, 2026 1:20 PM

For nearly four weeks this summer, Baylor served as the training site for Spain’s national soccer team.

For nearly four weeks this summer, Baylor served as the training site for Spain’s national soccer team. The team’s stay brought players, coaches, staff and international media to campus and made Baylor and Chattanooga part of the day-to-day operations surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The following numbers provide context for the scope of Spain’s presence and its local reach.

$1.4 billion. Spain entered the World Cup with a roster valued at approximately $1.4 billion, making it one of the most valuable national teams in the tournament.

$53 million. The average member of Spain’s 26-player World Cup roster carried an estimated market value of approximately $53 million.

No. 2 in the world. Spain entered the World Cup ranked second in the FIFA world rankings and as the reigning European champion.

$230 million. Spain’s 18-year-old star Lamine Yamal carried an estimated market value of approximately $230 million.

Nearly five weeks. Spain used Baylor and Chattanooga as its World Cup base June 5 through June 30, when the team relocated to Los Angeles for training as it advanced in the tournament.

184 hotel rooms. The Spanish Football Federation bought out the 184-room Embassy Suites in downtown Chattanooga for its World Cup delegation. The extended stay contributed to local spending on lodging, dining, transportation, staffing and related services. A final estimate of the team’s economic impact has not been released.

125+ international media representatives. More than 125 journalists and media professionals accompanied Spain in Chattanooga. Baylor’s Alex Guerry Tennis Center was converted into a media center to support daily press conferences, interviews and other World Cup media operations. Baylor and Chattanooga appeared in coverage by news organizations in the United States, Spain and other countries.

27,000 requests. According to local media reporting, approximately 27,000 people entered the lottery for the chance to attend Spain’s public training session at Baylor. Attendance was limited, with selected individuals receiving two tickets each.

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Register Today for Alumni Weekend 2026

July 1, 2026 1:24 PM

Updated July 13, 2026 1:25 PM

We look forward to welcoming alumni back to campus.

October 1–3, 2026

Registration for Alumni Weekend 2026 opened on July 1, and we are thrilled to report record-breaking registration numbers to date!

One of the most anticipated events of the weekend, the Red Raider Classic Baylor Golf Tournament, continues to be a favorite among alumni. Demand has been so strong that we currently have a waiting list for both individual and team registrations.

To help keep this event affordable and accessible for all alumni, we rely on the generous support of our sponsors. We extend our sincere gratitude to our current committed 2026 golf tournament sponsors:

Presenting Sponsor

Chip Howalt ’85
Textile Rubber & Chemical Co., Inc.

Reception & Awards Sponsor

Alexis Guerry Bogo ’89
Hamico, Inc.

Lunch Sponsor

Barton Mathews ’03
Starr Mathews

Hole Sponsors

Adam Wolfe
Division-1 Services, LLC

Chase Roswell ’17
Interstate Development Co., LLC

Sponsorship Opportunities Still Available

Several sponsorship opportunities remain available for this year's tournament. If you are interested in supporting the Red Raider Classic and connecting your business with Baylor alumni, please contact Tyler Stinnett ’00 OR Melissa Love Snyder ’90.

Throughout Alumni Weekend, we look forward to welcoming alumni back to campus, reconnecting with friends, and celebrating milestone reunions. This year, we will honor classes ending in "1" and "6," with a special 50th Reunion celebration honoring the Class of 1976.

Have you already celebrated your 50th Reunion? No worries! We will host the Half Century Club Luncheon to honor all of those who are celebrating 50+ years as an alumnus, with table seating for those celebrating their 50^th, 55^th, 60^th, 65^th, 70^th and ALL years in between.

Click HERE to Register Today

Visit 2026 Alumni Weekend – Baylor Connects to:

· View the full weekend schedule

· Explore local hotel accommodations and alumni discounts

· Register online by July 31, 2026, and receive a 10% Early Bird discount

Early Bird Discount Information

During checkout, select "Discount Code" and enter: EARLY-BIRD-26 to automatically apply discount to your registration. Please note: The Early Bird discount does not apply to golf tournament registrations or football game tickets.

We look forward to an unforgettable Alumni Weekend!

GO BIG RED

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Students Selected for Summer Leadership Trips

July 1, 2026 8:35 AM

Updated July 13, 2026 1:22 PM

Students from the Class of 2027 are selected for summer leadership trips.

Students selected for the summer Joe Key Award enjoy the Acadia National Park area of Maine

David M. Abshire Civic Leadership Award
Fourteen rising seniors were selected to travel to Washington, D.C., this summer on the David M. Abshire Leadership Trip for an intensive eight-day experiential course of study on national leadership, ethics, honor, and service. The program was created in partnership with the Center for the Study of the Presidency and the late Dr. David Abshire ’44, who served as president and CEO of that organization.

Pictured above *(front row left to right)* are rising seniors **Jackson Reisman, Blayden Schwartz, Ashley Yim, Elly Wu, Sarah Mac Watson**, and **Sarah Margaret Hoppe**r; *(middle row)* **Matilda Joels, Riley Swinford, Caroline Daniel,** and **Smith Kibbe**; *(back row)* **Ivan Zheng, Demir Bozbey, David Puchalski,** and **James Pope**.

Joe “Sarge” Key Awards
Twelve rising seniors were selected for the Joe Key Award, a trip that recognizes selfless character and involves seven days of sea-kayaking, hiking, and camping on the islands of Acadia National Park this July. The trip honors the late Joe Key, who worked at Baylor from 1961 to 1988 as a military instructor and study hall supervisor and was affectionately known a “Sarge.”

Pictured above *(front row, left to right)* are rising seniors **Lola McNabb, Lucinda Ranalli, Elly Wu, Adison Wallington, Hollyn Blair,** and **Katie Card**; *(back row)* **Max Guo, Jack Houston, Jackson Reisman, Smith Kibbe, Puri Puriteerangkul,** and Jaxson Simpkins.

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Baylor Magazine: Summer 2026 Online Issue is Live

June 29, 2026 1:29 PM

Updated July 13, 2026 1:30 PM

Catch up on this issue's campus updates, fine arts and athletics news, student accomplishments, and more.

The full print edition of Baylor magazine with weddings, babies, class notes and memoriams is arriving in mailboxes soon! In the meantime, you can also catch up on this issue's campus updates, fine arts and athletics news, student accomplishments, and more here.

We would love to celebrate your achievements or personal news in the Winter 2027 issue of Baylor magazine.

Have you....

Recently moved, or do you need to update us with new contact information?
Recently married?
Recently had a baby?
Enjoyed a significant career accomplishment that you would like included in our class notes?

If so, please take a moment to provide these updates and more on our Baylor Connects Updates page here and submit your news today!

All updates need to be received by Oct. 15, 2026, for the magazine’s winter 2027 issue.

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Keith Mitchell Makes U.S. Open History

June 21, 2026 1:27 PM

Updated July 13, 2026 1:27 PM

Mitchell records the best finish of his major championship career while making tournament history.

Keith Mitchell '10 delivered one of the most memorable performances of the 2026 U.S. Open, recording the best finish of his major championship career while making tournament history in the process.

Mitchell tied for fourth at Shinnecock Hills on June 21, becoming the first player in U.S. Open history to record four consecutive even-par rounds of 70. The finish also marked several personal milestones. Mitchell's tie for fourth was his highest finish in a major championship, surpassing his previous best of a tie for 20th at the 2023 U.S. Open.

After qualifying for the championship through a grueling 36-hole sectional qualifier just two weeks earlier, Mitchell credited a small adjustment to his putting and a renewed confidence for his breakthrough performance. "It's my best finish in a major," Mitchell said afterward. "A lot of positives."

“It's been a wild ride. The 36-hole qualifier [on June 8], I've got to give a shout-out to my buddy Bobby Wyatt (2013 USA Walker Cupper) who caddied for me because my caddie, Brad Schneider, actually qualified for final qualifying. He made it through locals, so he couldn't caddie for me in the sectionals. I shot 3 under the first round and was getting smoked, and he gave me a little putting tip at the turn and shot 8 under the next round. Played good the last two weeks thanks to that.” – Keith Mitchell '10

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Students selected for the summer Joe Key Award enjoy the Acadia National Park area of Maine

All updates need to be received by Oct. 15, 2026, for the magazine’s winter 2027 issue.

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