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Ball State University
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Ball State University - Athletics - College ProwlerCollege Prowler3.08

Athletics

B-
Where does this grade come from?View all Athletics rankingsReview this school to add your opinion

Comparable Schools' Athletics Grades:

Quick Stats

Athletic Association
  • NAA
  • NCAA
Athletic Division NCAA Division I-A
Athletic Conferences Football: Mid-American Conference
Basketball: Mid-American Conference
School Colors Cardinal and white
School Nickname The Cardinals
Men Playing Varsity Sports 223 - 3%
Women Playing Varsity Sports 214 - 3%
Students Receiving Athletic Financial Aid Football: 90
Basketball: 26
Baseball: 28
Cross Country/Track: 25
Other Sports: 158
Graduation Rates of Athletic Financial Aid Recipients Football: 67%
Basketball: 71%
Baseball: 63%
Cross Country/Track: 70%
Other Sports: 73%

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

Sports attendance at Ball State University is dismal at best.
Most students said they are often unaware a home football
game is being played, and the team is almost never discussed
in polite conversation, except maybe as the punchline to a joke. The University tries to encourage athletic pride among the student body with promotions and gimmicks, such as purchasing a lighting system at the football stadium for night games, but largely to no avail. The team’s record is still terrible, and many students say they don’t want to go to a game just to see the Cardinals lose. The basketball team does better than the football team, which isn’t saying much. Its record has stayed mediocre, for the most part, with the occasional flash of brilliance every three or four years.

Whatever BSU sport, the phrase “Are you going to the game this weekend?” is almost never heard on campus—unless someone is planning on taking a road trip to IU or Purdue. Despite all this, the University offers a strong intramural sports program with volleyball and rugby being among the most popular. But when it comes to varsity sports, just take a glance at the basketball and football teams’ years-long string of lackluster seasons, and you’ll see why most BSU students would rather stay out in the parking lot and drink at Homecoming than actually go in the stadium.

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Ball State Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Athletics at Ball State University

brummy13

'15

Pre-Medicine Studies

1.9
C-

Football?

I wish they were a lot better. I wish kids got more involved in student sections.

Feb 06, 2012

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Athletics at Ball State University

meganhall53

'15

Nursing

5.0
A+

Athletics

The atletics department is great! We are well known for the great job we do and it relates to everyone on campus.

Jan 30, 2012

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Athletics at Ball State University

kayliedigiacomo

'15

English

5.0
A+

Fantastic Opportunities

The avenues to pursue athletics at Ball State are fantastic while still avoiding the overwhelming sports culture which sometimes distracts student at other schools. There are numerous leagues, intramurals, and clubs to join to fit athletics in your life. The facilities here are also great and free or at least reasonable rates. There is almost always space for anyone to play basketball, soccer, or volleyball and enjoy any other recreation experience.

Jan 20, 2012

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Page 1 of 12

Photos of Ball State University's Athletics

College Students:
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Ball State University - BSU Football GameBSU Football Game
Photo by X96lee15
BSU Football Game BSU versus Western Michigan University
Link to this photo
Ball State University - Worthen ArenaWorthen Arena
Photo by Rapierce
Worthen Arena
Link to this photo
Photo by Rapierce under Public Domain | Source
Ball State University - Ball GymnasiumBall Gymnasium
Photo by Rapierce
Ball Gymnasium
Link to this photo
Photo by Rapierce under Public Domain | Source

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

How popular are varsity sports on campus?

How popular are intramurals and club sports?

How would you describe the athletic facilities?

Facts

Men's Varsity Sports
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Swimming and diving
  • Tennis
  • Volleyball
Women's Varsity Sports
  • Basketball
  • Field hockey
  • Golf
  • Gymnastics
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Swimming and diving
  • Tennis
  • Track and field
  • Volleyball
Intramurals
  • 3-on-3 basketball
  • 5-on-5 basketball
  • Arena flag football
  • Badminton
  • Basketball festival
  • Billiards
  • Bowling
  • Cross country
  • Dodgeball
  • Doubles wallyball
  • Flag football
  • Floor hockey
  • Golf
  • Quads volleyball
  • Racquetball
  • Sand volleyball
  • Soccer
  • Soccer (indoor)
  • Triples volleyball
  • Wiffleball
Club Sports
  • Baseball
  • Bass fishing
  • Cardinal cars
  • Cycling
  • Equestrian
  • Fencing
  • Judo
  • Lacrosse (men’s and women’s)
  • Martial arts
  • Powerlifting
  • Roller hockey
  • Rugby (men’s and women’s)
  • Runners association
  • Sailing
  • Scuba
  • Sky Diving
  • Soccer (men’s and women’s)
  • Sports officials
  • Swimming
  • Ultimate Frisbee
  • Volleyball (men’s and women’s)
  • Water polo
  • Waterskiing
Athletic Fields & Facilities
  • Ball Gymnasium
  • Ball State Stadium
  • Irving Gymnasium
  • John E. Worthen Arena
  • Lewellen Aquatic Center
  • Scheumann Stadium
  • Worthen Arena

Most Popular Sports

Varsity sports attendance at Ball State is dismal. People who do go to BSU athletic events usually attend football or basketball games. Aside from that, girlfriends/boyfriends and the odd family member tend to be the only ones in the bleachers.

Most Overlooked Teams

Students don’t pay much attention to any of Ball State’s teams, though some students say that the women’s volleyball team is deserving of more attention.

School Spirit

For the most part, Ball State students are pretty apathetic when it comes to school pride. Attendance at sporting events is dismal, and the student government struggles to find and keep delegates, especially for the off-campus constituency.

Getting Tickets

Tickets are generally easy to get and are free for students who present a valid Ball State ID.

Best Place to Take a Walk

The woods behind Worthen Arena or around campus in general

Most Recent Student Author

College Prowler guides are in the hands of students throughout the entire process. Because you can't make student-written guides without the students, we have students at each campus who write, edit, and survey their peers for every guide that we publish. Thanks to our most recent student author at BSU

Name: Adrian Sharp

Major: Journalism Graphics

see all student author bios >

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College Prowler is seeking talented student authors to assist with writing and updating the College Prowler guides to their schools. This is a great opportunity for a student to gain experience and tremendous exposure, utilize new media techniques, and share advice with high school students about what life is really like at your college.

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