Ball State University Athletics

Photo by: Kyle Crawford
Ball State Athletics Reading Program Ready to Take Next Step
January 05, 2017 | General
MUNCIE, Ind. – Ball State Athletics, in partnership with the Ball State Office of Community Engagement, is moving forward with the next installment of Charlie's Reading Challenge. Following a successful pilot execution with the Muncie P3 Academic Enrichment Program, registration for the educational reading program is now open for early 2017. The mission of the reading initiative is to provide a turnkey rubric for schools to increase reading acumen, introduce young readers to Ball State University and the athletics program and further institutional relations with the community.
To date, more than a dozen local and surrounding area schools registered for the 2017 winter program. Muncie elementary schools include Longfellow, Sutton, Saint Mary and Grissom. Other area and surrounding elementary schools interested in participating are Eastwood (New Castle), Anderson Prep Academy, Westlawn (Dunkirk), Monroe Central (Parker City), Yorktown, Eastbrook South (Upland) and Riverview (Marion).
"Ball State student-athletes and coaches have been great ambassadors to schools in and around Muncie for many years," Ball State Director of Athletics Mark Sandy said. "Charlie's Reading Challenge provides a defined program that is at the heart of education – reading – and all the doors it can open for young people. We are happy to provide an avenue for learning, community engagement and access to campus."
The program requires participating students to read four books in a specified timeframe, discuss and understand those books and then will be rewarded with classroom visits by student-athletes, coaches, Charlie Cardinal and complimentary home competition tickets.
The next program will begin in mid-January. Each participating classroom or program will receive an official program poster, which will provide motivation for and track the success of the students.
For schools and programs interested in participating in Charlie's Reading Challenge, or for more information, please click HERE.
To date, more than a dozen local and surrounding area schools registered for the 2017 winter program. Muncie elementary schools include Longfellow, Sutton, Saint Mary and Grissom. Other area and surrounding elementary schools interested in participating are Eastwood (New Castle), Anderson Prep Academy, Westlawn (Dunkirk), Monroe Central (Parker City), Yorktown, Eastbrook South (Upland) and Riverview (Marion).
"Ball State student-athletes and coaches have been great ambassadors to schools in and around Muncie for many years," Ball State Director of Athletics Mark Sandy said. "Charlie's Reading Challenge provides a defined program that is at the heart of education – reading – and all the doors it can open for young people. We are happy to provide an avenue for learning, community engagement and access to campus."
The program requires participating students to read four books in a specified timeframe, discuss and understand those books and then will be rewarded with classroom visits by student-athletes, coaches, Charlie Cardinal and complimentary home competition tickets.
The next program will begin in mid-January. Each participating classroom or program will receive an official program poster, which will provide motivation for and track the success of the students.
For schools and programs interested in participating in Charlie's Reading Challenge, or for more information, please click HERE.
This Week in Ball State Sports Podcast // Brady Sallee and Jeff Mitchell
Thursday, February 05
Football // Coach Uremovich Transfer Portal Conversation
Thursday, February 05
Celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day // Produced by Ball State Sports Link
Wednesday, February 04
Ball State Sports Link: SL Featured (January 2026)
Tuesday, February 03



