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Just a few minutes ago, Baylor AD Ian McCaw and President/Chancellor Ken Starr participated in a "Topping Off" ceremony for McLane Stadium, the new riverside home of the Bears slated to open in time for the start of the 2014 season. While it does not mean that the stadium is finished (as you can tell by looking at it), this ceremony marks the installation of the last structural truss. The skeleton of the new stadium is complete.
Baylor AD Ian McCaw signs final truss pic.twitter.com/1LDwmLvB9t
— Sean Giggy (@sgiggy_kwtx) January 23, 2014
BU president Judge Ken Starr signs the final truss for new stadium pic.twitter.com/shQ1H9hxKv
— Sean Giggy (@sgiggy_kwtx) January 23, 2014
You are rocking that hat, President/Chancellor Starr. Siccing them with fashion now.
#Baylor held a "Topping Off" ceremony for new McLane Stadium today. (WTH/Jerry Larson photo) http://t.co/k9SSM1YzS2
— WacoTrib.com (@wacotrib) January 23, 2014
Obviously, tremendous work remains to be done at the Stadium site. According to @BUFootball, about 40%, most of which I assume will be the finishing out of the interior. The canopy is also not yet complete, although that is probably one of the least time-intensive things they have left to do. A few more pictures of the Stadium today from twitter:
Baylor AD Ian McCaw addresses construction crew at Thursday's @McLaneStadium "Topping Off" ceremony. #sicem pic.twitter.com/8wVDnq7Wxv
— Baylor Athletics (@BaylorAthletics) January 23, 2014
.@McLaneStadium from field level. 60% complete. #SicEm pic.twitter.com/gUn9xQi1NZ
— Baylor Football (@BUFootball) January 23, 2014
#SicEm MT @bu_ad1: @McLaneStadium view from the field level recruiting room. Only 220 days until kickoff! #newbaylor pic.twitter.com/tXAcWqfqbo
— Baylor Football (@BUFootball) January 23, 2014
RT @bu_ad1: On the field at @McLaneStadium. Suites being finished Stadium topped out! pic.twitter.com/X0xLEBHo0F
— Baylor Football (@BUFootball) January 23, 2014
This will truly be one of the premier athletic facilities in the country, and we are lucky to have the vision and dedication of all of those who made it happen.
My guess is that at some point today we're going to get a video from the press conference and perhaps a few more pictures. I'll update the post as those become available.
