Dr Pepper, which has its roots Waco, has been Baylor Univ.’s "unofficial 'official' soft drink for decades,” but PepsiCo “won the bidding war” to become the school's exclusive beverage provider, including at athletic venues, according to Mike Copeland of the WACO TRIBUNE-HERALD. Neither Baylor nor PepsiCo would “comment on the size of the contract or its length.” Baylor Exec Associate AD/External Affairs Nick Joos said that Dr Pepper “has not been kicked to the curb.” He said it “will continue to occupy a prominent place in Baylor life.” Joos: “PepsiCo was aware of Dr Pepper’s link to Baylor tradition and lore, and they have done a good job of ensuring that relationship will continue.” He said that it is his “understanding that Dr Pepper and Diet Dr Pepper will occupy campus-area vending machines and will be served in the student union building and athletics sites, including McLane Stadium.” Joos said that Dr Pepper’s agreement with Baylor to “serve as its exclusive beverage provider expires this year, and the transition to PepsiCo already has begun and will continue through the summer” (WACO TRIBUNE-HERALD, 6/16).
