A TCU Alum posted a screenshot of a letter he wrote on Twitter/X. He does not like the name "Bluebonnet Battle" for the BU-TCU rivalry. This is the letter he sent. I'm curious to know your thoughts.
"Dear TCU Student Body Presidents,
On Monday, November 13, 2023 after numerous Twitter/X accounts leaked the new name and logo for the TCU-Baylor rivalry, TCU released an official video affirming and celebrating the new name: 'Bluebonnet Battle.' While I am grateful that the SGA's of both Baylor and TCU desired to find an official name for one of the most historic football rivalries in the nation, this name does not do justice to the geography of Waco and Fort Worth, and it also fails to honor the rich tradition and history of both schools.
First, the geography. Neither Waco nor Fort Worth are known for their bluebonnets. No website, no article, no one sends people to Waco or Fort Worth for their flowering fields of bluebonnets. Ennis, the 'Bluebonnet City of Texas,' is the closest city recommended for our beautiful state flower, and it is 60 miles southeast of Fort Worth and 70 miles northeast of Waco. The bluebonnet being the state flower should have no bearing on the rivalry between two schools who are not in areas proliferated with bluebonnets and who do not traverse the great state of Texas to play one another. Calling this rivalry the 'Bluebonnet Battle' is as egregious as calling a Fort Worth a suburb of Dallas.
Second, 'Bluebonnet Battle' fails to incorporate Baylor and TCU's history and traditions. Baylor was established as a Baptist university in 1845. TCU was established by Addison and Randolph Clark, who were seeking to form a university based on Christian ideals, specifically those found in the Disciples of Christ (DOC) tradition. Both schools still retain their Christian ties, with Baylor associated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas and TCU associated to the DOC through the Brite Divinity School. 'Bluebonnet Battle' ignores the Christian origins and affiliations of both schools, reframing the rivalry in terms of something meaningless to both schools.
Further, though the name 'Revivalry' for the rival game between the two schools has an unknown origin (after searching for a while, I could not find a source), there are multiple local and national news outlets who have used the name as early as 2014, and many Baylor and TCU fans use this name for the game. Likely, this name became prominent from grassroots efforts of the passionate and loyal fanbases of TCU and Baylor. One must strain to ignore the word play present in 'Revivalry.' 'Revival' is a Christian term used to signify spiritual renewal, TCU and Baylor play a 'rivalry' game, and this rivalry was revived in 2010 after a few missed years due to conference realignments. If TCU truly valued tradition, why would they refuse to honor a tradition that grew naturally between the two fanbases? 'Bluebonnet Battle' ignores tradition and seeks to undermine the communal aspect of tradition.
In summary, 'Bluebonnet Battle' fails to incorporate anything significant about the geography of Waco and Fort Worth, and it snubs its nose at our wealth of tradition and history. The TCU and Baylor SGA's should rescind this decision, brainstorm new names, and consult with alumni and current students. At minimum, the name 'Revivalry' should be considered since it is a name that does not defy geography, honors our schools' histories, and allows tradition to flourish.
Sincerely,
Wyatt Harris
TCU Alumnus, Class of 2016"
"Dear TCU Student Body Presidents,
On Monday, November 13, 2023 after numerous Twitter/X accounts leaked the new name and logo for the TCU-Baylor rivalry, TCU released an official video affirming and celebrating the new name: 'Bluebonnet Battle.' While I am grateful that the SGA's of both Baylor and TCU desired to find an official name for one of the most historic football rivalries in the nation, this name does not do justice to the geography of Waco and Fort Worth, and it also fails to honor the rich tradition and history of both schools.
First, the geography. Neither Waco nor Fort Worth are known for their bluebonnets. No website, no article, no one sends people to Waco or Fort Worth for their flowering fields of bluebonnets. Ennis, the 'Bluebonnet City of Texas,' is the closest city recommended for our beautiful state flower, and it is 60 miles southeast of Fort Worth and 70 miles northeast of Waco. The bluebonnet being the state flower should have no bearing on the rivalry between two schools who are not in areas proliferated with bluebonnets and who do not traverse the great state of Texas to play one another. Calling this rivalry the 'Bluebonnet Battle' is as egregious as calling a Fort Worth a suburb of Dallas.
Second, 'Bluebonnet Battle' fails to incorporate Baylor and TCU's history and traditions. Baylor was established as a Baptist university in 1845. TCU was established by Addison and Randolph Clark, who were seeking to form a university based on Christian ideals, specifically those found in the Disciples of Christ (DOC) tradition. Both schools still retain their Christian ties, with Baylor associated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas and TCU associated to the DOC through the Brite Divinity School. 'Bluebonnet Battle' ignores the Christian origins and affiliations of both schools, reframing the rivalry in terms of something meaningless to both schools.
Further, though the name 'Revivalry' for the rival game between the two schools has an unknown origin (after searching for a while, I could not find a source), there are multiple local and national news outlets who have used the name as early as 2014, and many Baylor and TCU fans use this name for the game. Likely, this name became prominent from grassroots efforts of the passionate and loyal fanbases of TCU and Baylor. One must strain to ignore the word play present in 'Revivalry.' 'Revival' is a Christian term used to signify spiritual renewal, TCU and Baylor play a 'rivalry' game, and this rivalry was revived in 2010 after a few missed years due to conference realignments. If TCU truly valued tradition, why would they refuse to honor a tradition that grew naturally between the two fanbases? 'Bluebonnet Battle' ignores tradition and seeks to undermine the communal aspect of tradition.
In summary, 'Bluebonnet Battle' fails to incorporate anything significant about the geography of Waco and Fort Worth, and it snubs its nose at our wealth of tradition and history. The TCU and Baylor SGA's should rescind this decision, brainstorm new names, and consult with alumni and current students. At minimum, the name 'Revivalry' should be considered since it is a name that does not defy geography, honors our schools' histories, and allows tradition to flourish.
Sincerely,
Wyatt Harris
TCU Alumnus, Class of 2016"
