Ball State University Athletics
Field Hockey To Recognize Its Alumni
September 18, 2012 | Field Hockey
MUNICE, Ind. - The 2012 Ball State field hockey team will take time out this weekend to recognize pioneers that have come before them and helped build a rich tradition of hard work and excellence at Ball State. The team will also recognize longtime coach Karen Fitzpatrick at a luncheon on Saturday, Sep. 22.
Ball State field hockey experienced much success during Fitzpatrick's 21-year tenure. The team won 16 MAC regular season championships, 10 MAC Tournament titles and made four NCAA tournament appearances advancing to the quarterfinals three times. The program is the winningest team in Mid-American Conference history capturing 16 out of a possible 28 championships.
The Cardinals have had 18 All-America selections in its history, including five student-athletes that made it to the first team. The mark of 18 is the most All-America selections by any school in the MAC. There have been over 100 student-athletes that have earned distinctive honors and awards since the inception of the program in 1975. Sally Northcroft is the most decorated player in program history, having racked up 29 awards during the 1996-99 seasons including two First Team All-America selections.
Ball State put together a streak of 66 consecutive wins against conference foes during the 1993-1998 seasons. From 1992-1999 the team was ranked in the national top 20 in 57 out of the 66 polls, including 26 appearances in the top 10. The highest ranking Ball State field hockey has ever received was sixth during the 1992 season.
The program has 11 members inducted into the Ball State Athletics Hall of Fame, including the 1994 senior class of Cathy Basso, Gina Lucido, Mindy Pretzman and Ashleigh Schoultz who set a school record for winning percentage with an overall record of 19-2-2 and shutouts with 16.
You can keep up to date with the team on Twitter by following @BallStFHockey or on Facebook by liking "Ball State Field Hockey". Check back to ballstatesports.com for more updates.
