Ball State University Athletics
Field Hockey To Host Alumni Weekend Oct. 24-25
October 08, 2015 | Field Hockey
MUNCIE, Ind. - - As part of Ball State Family Weekend (Oct. 24-25), the field hockey program is set to welcome back its 287 all-time letterwinners for a special Alumni Weekend Celebration at the Briner Sports Complex.
Alumni can register by CLICKING HERE or visiting: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ball-state-field-hockey-alumni-weekend-registration-18020434605
In its 40-plus years as an intercollegiate sport, the Ball State field hockey program and its student-athletes have collected 16 Mid-American Conference regular season championships, 10 MAC Tournament titles, 10 MAC Coach of the Year awards, seven MAC Player of the Year honors and five MAC Freshman of the Year accolades. The program has also produced more All-America selections than any other MAC program with 18.
In addition, 12 of the program's top student-athletes have earned induction into the Ball State Athletics Hall of Fame alongside former head coach Karen Fitzpatrick (Induction Class of 1999-2000).
Field Hockey Alumni in the Ball State Athletics Hall of Fame:
Kerri Schoultz who played from 1996-99 (Induction Class of 2013-14)
Lisa Brown who played from 1983-87 (Induction Class of 2012-13)
Sally Northcroft who played from 1996-99 (Induction Class of 2009-10)
Jen Brown who played from 1994-97 (Induction Class of 2006-07)
Cathy Basso who played from 1991-94 (Induction Class of 2005-06)
Gina Lucido who played from 1991-94 (Induction Class of 2005-06)
Mindy Pretzman who played from 1991-94 (Induction Class of 2005-06)
Ashleigh Schoultz who played from 1991-94 (Induction Class of 2005-06)
Kellie Rowker who played from 1988-91 (Induction Class of 2003-04)
Karen Burkholder who played from 1982-85 (Induction Class of 2001-02)
Kelly Dawson who played from 1984-87 (Induction Class of 1997-98)
Beth Sova who played from 1981-84 (Induction Class of 1996-97)
Historically, Ball State earned top 20 national rankings in 57-of-66 polls from 1992-1999, including 26 times in the top 10. The Cardinals ranked among the top 10 teams in the nation the entire 1992 and 1994 seasons, including an all-time high of sixth for three weeks in 1992. The highest national ranking for a Ball State team in the final poll of a season was seventh in 1994.
More recently, Ball State field hockey alumni have continued onto successful careers as doctors, lawyers, teachers, coaches, Secret Service members, business owners and mothers of current and potential future Cardinals field hockey players.
All alumni, supporters, and those connected within the athletic department and community to Ball State field hockey are crucial in the success of the program. Because of this, a variety of festivities will take place over the weekend to recognize the many alumni who have helped to make the Ball State field hockey program what it is today.
Festivities start Saturday, Oct. 24, with an 11 a.m. tailgate in the Briner Sports Complex parking lot prior to the team's 1 p.m. MAC showdown versus Missouri State. At halftime of the contest, there will be a special alumni recognition ceremony. Postgame alumni will get a chance to meet and greet current members of the team.
Ball State field hockey alumni will then have the option to attend either of both the Ball State football game versus Central Michigan (3 p.m.) and the volleyball match versus Bowling Green (7 p.m.). The team then plans to round out the evening with a dinner and social at 8 p.m. at a local restaurant.
Events carry over into Sunday (Oct. 25), with the team hosting a field hockey skills challenge starting at 9 a.m. at the Briner Sports Complex, with participants competing in carnival-type activities. Field Hockey's alumni weekend concludes at 11 a.m. with a BBQ lunch for the team and alumni.
