Ball State University Athletics
Photo by: Mid-American Conference
Former Field Hockey Great Jen Brown-Mascari Inducted into MAC Hall of Fame
June 01, 2017 | Field Hockey, General
CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Mid-American Conference held its annual honor's dinner Wednesday evening at the Cleveland Renaissance Hotel. Six new members were inducted into the MAC Hall of Fame, including former Ball State field hockey star Jen Brown-Mascari.
The other five inductees were Dwight Gardner (Ohio, wrestling), Antonio Gates (Kent State, men's basketball), Betsy Kuhle (Western Michigan, women's tennis), Dan Majerle (Central Michigan, men's basketball) and Ron Oestrike (Eastern Michigan, baseball).
"It is only appropriate for our conference to honor and celebrate the accomplishments of our former students, coaches and administrators, specifically these six individuals, and their achievements during their time competing in the Mid-American Conference," said MAC Commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher. "We are honored to welcome them to the Mid-American Conference Hall of Fame.
"The Mid-American Conference Hall of Fame is a testament to the achievements of those that have competed and served in this great conference," added Steinbrecher.
Brown-Mascari was part of the class that helped Ball State to a four-year 70-19-2 overall record. During her collegiate career, her Cardinals teams went undefeated in MAC play with a record of 45-0, won four MAC Championships and appeared in three NCAA Tournaments, including two final-eight appearances.
As a midfielder, Brown set school and MAC records in goals scored with 80 and total points with 193. She started in all 91 games during her career and was a 1994 All-MAC second team selection and was named 1994 MAC Freshman of the Year. Brown was a three-time All-MAC first team selection (1995-97) and was named 1996 MAC Player of the Year.
Her senior year in 1997, Brown was named a Woody Hayes National Female Scholar Athlete, Indiana's NCAA Woman of the Year and an All-America first team selection. She was named a two-time All-America second team selection (1995 and 1996) and a three-time All-Midwest Region first team honoree (1995-97).
Brown was a three-time Academic All-MAC selection, was twice named MAC Commissioner's Award for academic excellence, selected as the 1997 Presidential Award for academic excellence, named GTE At-Large Academic All-District V selection (1996, 1997) and three-time National Academic Squad honoree (1995, 1996, 1997).
Since her graduation, Brown has taught and coached at both Culver Military Academy and Guerin Catholic School. She was named the 2002-03 Ball State Alumnus Softball Coach of the Year and was inducted into the Ball State Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006.
Brown graduated in 1997 with a bachelor's of science in physical education and currently resides in Indianapolis, Indiana. She is married to husband, Tom, and the couple has three children.
The MAC Council of Presidents approved the MAC Hall of Fame in 1987. The charter class was inducted in 1988 and subsequent classes were added in 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1994. After six induction classes, the MAC Hall of Fame maintained 52 members until it was reinstated in May 2012.
This year's class brings the number of MAC Hall of Fame inductees to 87 individuals from 12 classes.
MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Founded in 1946, the Mid-American Conference is an NCAA Division I, 12-member conference that sponsors 23 championships and is one of 10 members of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). With total enrollment of nearly 300,000 students, the league represents institutions of higher learning in five (5) states - Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York, and Ohio.
Current MAC schools that hold full membership and the year they joined are -- East Division: University of Akron (1992), Bowling Green State University (1952), University at Buffalo (1998), Kent State University (1951), Miami University (1947), Ohio University (1946). West Division: Ball State University (1973), Central Michigan University (1971), Eastern Michigan University (1971), Northern Illinois University (1975-86, rejoined in 1997), University of Toledo (1950), Western Michigan University (1947). The conference office is based in Cleveland, Ohio.
The other five inductees were Dwight Gardner (Ohio, wrestling), Antonio Gates (Kent State, men's basketball), Betsy Kuhle (Western Michigan, women's tennis), Dan Majerle (Central Michigan, men's basketball) and Ron Oestrike (Eastern Michigan, baseball).
"It is only appropriate for our conference to honor and celebrate the accomplishments of our former students, coaches and administrators, specifically these six individuals, and their achievements during their time competing in the Mid-American Conference," said MAC Commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher. "We are honored to welcome them to the Mid-American Conference Hall of Fame.
"The Mid-American Conference Hall of Fame is a testament to the achievements of those that have competed and served in this great conference," added Steinbrecher.
Brown-Mascari was part of the class that helped Ball State to a four-year 70-19-2 overall record. During her collegiate career, her Cardinals teams went undefeated in MAC play with a record of 45-0, won four MAC Championships and appeared in three NCAA Tournaments, including two final-eight appearances.
As a midfielder, Brown set school and MAC records in goals scored with 80 and total points with 193. She started in all 91 games during her career and was a 1994 All-MAC second team selection and was named 1994 MAC Freshman of the Year. Brown was a three-time All-MAC first team selection (1995-97) and was named 1996 MAC Player of the Year.
Her senior year in 1997, Brown was named a Woody Hayes National Female Scholar Athlete, Indiana's NCAA Woman of the Year and an All-America first team selection. She was named a two-time All-America second team selection (1995 and 1996) and a three-time All-Midwest Region first team honoree (1995-97).
Brown was a three-time Academic All-MAC selection, was twice named MAC Commissioner's Award for academic excellence, selected as the 1997 Presidential Award for academic excellence, named GTE At-Large Academic All-District V selection (1996, 1997) and three-time National Academic Squad honoree (1995, 1996, 1997).
Since her graduation, Brown has taught and coached at both Culver Military Academy and Guerin Catholic School. She was named the 2002-03 Ball State Alumnus Softball Coach of the Year and was inducted into the Ball State Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006.
Brown graduated in 1997 with a bachelor's of science in physical education and currently resides in Indianapolis, Indiana. She is married to husband, Tom, and the couple has three children.
The MAC Council of Presidents approved the MAC Hall of Fame in 1987. The charter class was inducted in 1988 and subsequent classes were added in 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1994. After six induction classes, the MAC Hall of Fame maintained 52 members until it was reinstated in May 2012.
This year's class brings the number of MAC Hall of Fame inductees to 87 individuals from 12 classes.
MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Founded in 1946, the Mid-American Conference is an NCAA Division I, 12-member conference that sponsors 23 championships and is one of 10 members of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). With total enrollment of nearly 300,000 students, the league represents institutions of higher learning in five (5) states - Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York, and Ohio.
Current MAC schools that hold full membership and the year they joined are -- East Division: University of Akron (1992), Bowling Green State University (1952), University at Buffalo (1998), Kent State University (1951), Miami University (1947), Ohio University (1946). West Division: Ball State University (1973), Central Michigan University (1971), Eastern Michigan University (1971), Northern Illinois University (1975-86, rejoined in 1997), University of Toledo (1950), Western Michigan University (1947). The conference office is based in Cleveland, Ohio.
Sports Link: National Girls and Women in Sports Day
Wednesday, February 25
Celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day // Produced by Ball State Sports Link
Wednesday, February 04
Sports Link: International Student Athlete Day
Monday, November 17
Heart of the Cardinal Podcast // Julia Verratti of Field Hockey
Wednesday, October 29