Top Stories of 2019-20: Milestone Wins For Richards and Walton
July 10, 2020 | Men's Tennis, Men's Volleyball
Two legendary coaches who have combined for 70 years and over 1100 wins at Ball State University.
While the 2019-20 year of competition may have been cut short by COVID-19, there were still plenty of accomplishments to celebrate in Ball State Athletics.
Through much discussion, BallStateSports.com has identified the top storylines of the year. We are unveiling them one-by-one in chronological order. Today we look back at milestone wins for two legendary coaches who have combined for 70 years and over 1100 wins at Ball State University.
Bill Richards, who completed his 48th season at the helm of the Cardinals, etched himself into the men's tennis program record book once again by earning his 700th career victory on Feb. 1 at home against Wright State. Richards, guided his team to a 7-0 victory over the Raiders at the Muncie YMCA Tennis Center.
Richards began his head coaching career with the Cardinals in 1973. The winningest men's tennis coach in Ball State and Mid-American Conference history, Richards has amassed a 705-434 (.618) overall record and a 217-64 (.772) conference ledger for his career. Richards has coached 17 teams to undefeated regular seasons and 38 MAC regular and/or tournament championships, with the first conference title coming in 1984. Richards has also garnered MAC Coach of the Year accolades 15 times and has made eight NCAA appearances.
Joel Walton, who just wrapped up his 22nd season at Ball State, became the ninth coach in NCAA Division I men's volleyball history to record 400 career wins when the Cardinals rallied from two sets down to secure a hard-fought 3-2 victory at Loyola on Feb. 23. Making the win even more meaningful was the fact it was the program's first win on the Ramblers' home court since the 1999 season.
A two-time Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association Coach of the Year, Walton has accumulated a 403-230 (.637) record over coaching career, including a 193-106 (.645) ledger in league play. He has guided the Cardinals to a winning record in 20 of his 22 seasons, including 20-or-more wins in nine of those years. He also led the Cardinals to the 2002 MIVA regular season and tournament championship, as well as a berth in the 2002 NCAA Tournament. A four-year letterwinner for the Cardinals from 1985-88, Walton became the third head coach in program history when he accepted the position in June of 1998.
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