Karen Fitzpatrick (1999) - Hall of Fame - Ball State University Athletics

Karen Fitzpatrick

Induction:
1999

Fitzpatrick, who spent 21 seasons as the head field hockey coach, is the winningest coach in in the Mid-American Conference and at one point ranked third in victories among active NCAA Division I field hockey coaches with over 270 wins. Fitzpatrick guided the Cardinals to an unprecedented 15 regular-season league championships, 10 MAC Tournament crowns, and four NCAA Tournament appearances, including three trips to the national quarterfinals. Under her direction, Ball State compiled over 150 wins against conference opponents, including a streak of 64 straight victories that dated from 1993 to the 1999 campaign. Ball State’s 10-0 league record in 1998 marked the sixth-successive year and the 11^th time in 17 seasons the Cardinals registered an undefeated regular-season record vs. MAC opponents. An 11-time recipient of MAC Coach of the Year accolades, Fitzpatrick has helped the Cardinals rank in the nation’s top 20 in 53 out of 62 polls dating back to 1992, including 26 appearances in the nation’s top 10. Fitzpatrick has directed her players to countless league and national honors. Sixty-seven student-athletes have earned All-MAC First-Team recognition with five being voted the league’s Player of the Year. BSU field hockey student-athletes have garnered All-America honors 16 times and Academic All-America accolades on four occasions under Fitzpatrick’s tenure.