Chip and Joanna Gaines know how to fix up homes. Now they want to do the same with Baylor’s baseball program.
Magnolia, the lifestyle company located in Waco, Texas, and founded by the Gaines — both Baylor alumni — donated “the largest gift in Baylor Baseball program’s history,” the school announced in a press release. The undisclosed amount will “name Magnolia Field at Baylor Ballpark and support the program’s anticipated capital projects.”
A representative for Baylor’s baseball program did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Athletic.
“Baylor has always been more than a university to us — it’s a place that shaped who we are and continues to shape leaders who care deeply about people,” said Chip and Joanna Gaines. “Baseball, in particular, has played a meaningful role in our family for generations. It’s where lessons are passed down, relationships are built, and memories are made — on and off the field.
“This gift is rooted in our gratitude for the coaches who pour into their athletes, the student-athletes who show up with heart and discipline every day, and the fans who gather to cheer them on. Our hope is that this investment helps carry that sense of tradition, belonging, and opportunity forward — for Baylor Baseball, for all of Baylor Athletics, and for everyone who calls themselves a Baylor Bear.”
Chip Gaines is a former college baseball player himself. After high school, he played at Dallas College North Lake in Irving, Texas, for one year before transferring to Baylor, but he didn’t make the Bears’ team. He graduated in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Joanna graduated in 2001 with a degree in communication.
“The consistent presence and generosity of Chip and Joanna through their time and resources have been invaluable to Baylor University over these past 12 years,” said Baylor President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D. “We celebrate this gift, which will help us to widen our welcome and offer unique experiences for fans of all ages. We look forward to cheering for Baylor Baseball at Magnolia Field this spring.”
After several years of flipping houses and operating their Magnolia Market, Chip and Joanna Gaines launched their hit reality TV show “Fixer Upper” in 2013. In 2020, they launched their Magnolia Network, which airs a variety of home and lifestyle shows.
“On behalf of everyone associated with Baylor Baseball, past and present, I am incredibly grateful to Chip and Joanna Gaines for their generosity and support of our program,” said Baylor head coach Mitch Thompson. “Their investment is meaningful to all of us who have ever worn the green and gold on the diamond.”