Baylor, a school focused on faith, brings that first and foremost for two new Bears.
WACO, Texas — With an entirely new roster, Baylor Men’s Basketball isn’t just rebuilding; they’re laying a foundation.
Rooted in Baylor’s four pillars of academic excellence, athletic success, character formation, and spiritual growth, this year’s team is pursuing more than wins and rankings. They are pursuing faith, identity, and a brotherhood that stretches far beyond the court. For two players in particular, that journey became life-changing.
After weeks of heartfelt conversations with coaches and teammates, Bears Drew Perry and Dan Skillings Jr. felt a pull they couldn’t ignore, and a moment where basketball, brotherhood, and belief all collided.
“It feels like I’m playing for more now, I have that backing in Christ and knowing that if I miss a shot, it’s not the end of the world,” said Perry.
Surrounded by teammates who had quickly become brothers, Drew and Dan decided to give their lives to Christ and be baptized — a moment that unfolded not in a church sanctuary, but in a training room cold tub.
“I felt a calling to get baptized and Coach gave a very passionate speech on his birthday, and I felt like God was calling me to do it in that moment, so I raised my hand,” said Perry. “I went over to the cold tub, and it was a really special moment. I was with my brothers, and now we’re brothers for life, thankfully, I was with JJ, Dan, Bodo, you know, all of us. It was a special moment that we’re going to remember forever. “
Dan went first. He raised his hand without hesitation, a gesture that instantly dissolved any nerves Drew had been feeling. Watching his teammate step forward gave him a deep clarity a sense that this was exactly what God was calling him to do next.
Dan’s path to Baylor was fueled by the university’s faith-first culture.
Though baptized as a baby, he felt compelled to recommit — to “double down” on his relationship with Christ in a personal and intentional way. What he didn’t expect was how his step of faith would ripple into the lives of others.
“It was a special moment,” said Skillings Jr. “Coach Drew shed some tears and he said it was the best birthday gift ever and that made me really happy, and I know it made the team really happy. I’m just proud he got to witness that and I’m proud I did it at Baylor University. “
Baptism didn’t just mark a spiritual moment it reshaped the team culture, vulnerability, and trust. Things teams typically spend months cultivating appeared almost immediately.
Faith brought them together and brotherhood is keeping them strong. This season, they’re playing for something far bigger than basketball.