Joe Hernandez (2021) - Hall of Fame - Ball State University Athletics

Joe Hernandez

Induction:
2021
Class:
1984

A dedicated promoter of Ball State Athletics and a leader in his profession, Joe Hernandez was affiliated with his alma mater for nearly 40 years from student to administrator. A two-time Ball State graduate – bachelor's in 1984 and master's in 1991 – Hernandez spent most of his career leading the athletic department's communications efforts. He took over as Sports Information Director from his mentor and fellow hall of famer Earl Yestingsmeier in 1990 and later was promoted to Assistant Athletics Director in 1999 and Associate Athletics Director in 2002. He served as the SID for nearly every BSU sport at one time or another and promoted some of the most notable achievements in school history, including the men's basketball Sweet 16 run in 1990 and the nationally ranked football team that went 12-0 in the regular season in 2008.

A 2017 Benny Award recipient, Hernandez worked 304 consecutive Ball State football games. He served as president of the College Sports Information Directors in 2005-06 and spent nine years on the organization's board of directors. Hernandez served as sport administrator for various Ball State teams and was instrumental as a connection to past student-athletes, taking on the role of Associate AD for Sports and Alumni Relations for his final five years before retiring in 2019. Around 20 of his former student workers and graduate assistants went on to establish careers in the athletics profession.