Ball State Athletics Announces 2023 Hall of Fame Class

MUNCIE, Ind. -- Ball State Athletics has announced the newest members of its hall of fame. The 2023 induction class includes individuals who competed in the NCAA championships in men's golf and cross country, a 2007 Ray Guy Award semifinalist and first-team All-American, a 2006 all-region outfielder and MLB draft pick, the 2009 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year in softball, a long-time contributor as the head athletic trainer for over 20 years for the Cardinals and a former standout men's volleyball player in the legends category.

The seven-member class features Alicia Barkley (softball), Chris Beerman (men's volleyball), Neal Hazen (contributor), Brad Miller (baseball), Chris Miller (football), Jill Scully (cross country/track and field) and Eric Steger (men's golf).

The group will be inducted Friday, Jan. 19, at the Alumni Center. The class will also be honored at the Jan. 20 men's basketball game against Miami University, at Worthen Arena.

"We are thrilled to honor these outstanding individuals as the newest members of the Ball State Athletics Hall of Fame," said Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell. "Each of these Cardinals exemplifies excellence, and we look forward to celebrating them at their induction ceremony in January."

Alicia Barkley, Softball

This highly successful shortstop was named the 2009 MAC Player of the Year. Also in 2009, Barkley earned first team All-MAC honors and was named to the 2009 National Fastpitch Coaches Association all-region first team. In 2010, Barkley garnered second team All-MAC accolades, while also being named to the MAC all-tournament squad.

A powerhouse at the plate, she helped Ball State earn back-to-back MAC regular season titles (2009 & 2010), a MAC Tournament championship (2010) and a trip to the NCAA Tournament (2010). Barkley still ranks third in the Ball State softball record books in career hits (252) and runs (149).

A two-time Academic All-MAC honoree (2010, 2011), Barkley made the 2011 CoSIDA Academic All-District first team and was a CoSIDA Academic All-America third team recipient.

Chris Beerman, Men's Volleyball
Beerman HOF

The Ball State men's volleyball family mourned the loss of Beerman in 2021 and pays tribute to his legacy now while he is inducted into the athletics hall of fame. Beerman helped Ball State to its third straight MIVA title as a senior and its 11th appearance at the NCAA Championships. Beerman was a member of the 1990 ASICS All-America Team. Beerman earned spots on the All-MIVA Team and MIVA all-tournament team (1990, 1989). A two-time All-American, Beerman was a member of three MIVA Tournament titles and three straight trips to the NCAA Tournament.

As a senior he led Ball State with 579 kills while finishing atop of the record books in career kills with 1,777.

Beerman went on to a successful coaching career, including head coaching stints with the women's volleyball programs at James Madison and Pittsburgh and as an assistant coach at Ball State, South Florida, Louisville and Kentucky. He then founded the Lexington United Volleyball Club and served as its director.

Neal Hazen, Athletic Trainer

A Ball State alumnus with 34 years of professional devotion to his alma mater, this man dedicated his life to his student-athletes, coaches and staff.

Hazen began serving Ball State in 1986 and was the head athletic trainer for over 25 years. He received the NCAA Division I Head Athletic Trainer of the Year award from the Intercollegiate Council for Sports Medicine (ICSM) in 2019. Hazen was presented with his award in conjunction with the 70th annual National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) convention in Las Vegas. He was selected as the year's top head athletic trainer among nearly 350 Division I programs in the country.

Hazen oversaw the athletic training efforts for Ball State's 19 sports, shepherding a team of 10 full-time staff members. He served as the athletic department's liaison with team doctors and sports medicine providers.

Hazen was instrumental in the formation and leadership of Ball State's Campus Assessment Resource Education (CARE) Team, which exists to promote student-athlete well-being and safety. The team seeks to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with students exhibiting concerning behaviors or thoughts.

Hazen earned his bachelor's degree in physical therapy from Ball State in 1986 and added an MBA in 1994. He joined the Ball State staff as an assistant athletic trainer in 1987 and was promoted to head athletic trainer in 1996.

Hazen is a member of the Indiana Athletic Trainers' Association (IATA) Hall of Fame (2017) and the Cardinal Sports Medicine Ring of Honor (2006). He was named the IATA College and University Athletic Trainer of the Year in 2010 and received the NATA Service Award in 2006.

Brad Miller, Baseball

This Muncie native was a talent in the infield while helping guide the Ball State baseball program to its first-ever MAC Tournament title and trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2006.

Miller earned first team All-MAC honors in 2006. He was named second team All-MAC and tabbed to the MAC All-Tournament team in 2004.

A 2006 ABCA & Rawlings NCAA All-Mideast Region recipient, Miller was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks that same year and continued to play professionally from 2006-10.

Miller is Ball State's career leader in games played (229), games started (227), career hits (304), home runs (50) and runs batted in (228). He is also second in career at bats (886) and doubles (60).

He was also successful in the classroom garnering Academic All-MAC honors from 2004-06.

Chris Miller, Football
CHRIS MILLER Hall of Fame

The punter for one of the Cardinals' most historic seasons in program history, Miller was a member of the 2008 Ball State football team that finished the regular season with a 12-0 record and a MAC West Division title. He also helped the Cardinals reach back-to-back bowl games in 2007 (International Bowl) and 2008 (GMAC Bowl).

In 2007, Miller was a Ray Guy Award semifinalist, an AFCA All-America first team honoree and earned second team All-America accolades from The Sporting News. He was also a two-time Playboy Magazine Preseason All-American in 2007 and 2008. After graduation he was later named to the CBS Sports MAC All-Decade Team.

Miller started his career strong at Ball State while receiving the 2005 FWAA Freshman All-American award.

Miller still holds Ball State's record for best punt average in a career at 44.8 yards per kick, and ranks third all-time for most punts with 231. He ranks second for most career punting yards with 10,342, fifth for punting yards in a season (2,977 yards in 2005), and fourth overall for most punt yards in a game – 253 yards vs. Western Michigan in 2007.

Jill Scully, Cross Country/Track and Field
Jilly Scully

A four-year letterwinner in indoor and outdoor track & field plus cross country, and a two-year captain in all three sports, Scully is a three-time MAC Outdoor Track & Field Most Outstanding Performer after successfully earning crowns in both the 10,000- and 5,000-meter runs. Her four titles over a two-year span earned first-team All-MAC accolades both seasons. Scully also reaped 2005 and 2006 MAC Indoor Track & Field Most Outstanding Performer honors after capturing league championships in the 3,000 and 5,000 both years. She was a recipient of first-team All-MAC honors both seasons in indoor track & field.

Scully is a two-time recipient of All-MAC distinction in cross country. She was runner-up at the 2004 MAC Championship, qualified for the NCAA regional meet, where she finished 10th, and then later competed in the NCAA Championships where she posted a 52nd-place finish. She was runner-up at the 2003 MAC meet, when Ball State captured its first-ever league crown.

Scully qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships for two straight seasons in the 10,000 meters. She earned a 16th-place finish in the event in 2005. Her career-best time of 33:54.67 was, at the time, the fastest ever by a MAC runner.

She was named to the 2006 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District V Women's Track & Field/Cross Country Team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), and was a three-time Academic All-MAC selection in track and cross country.

Eric Steger, Men's Golf

Steger becomes a part of the first father-son duo ever to be inducted in the Ball State Athletics Hall of Fame as he joins his father, Scott, who was inducted in 1988. Steger was a first team All-MAC honoree and was named to the All-MAC Tournament team in 2011. He was a second team All-MAC pick in 2010.

He was a 2011 Ping Division I All-Midwest Region recipient, and received back-to-back Indiana Golf Association John K. David Player of the Year honors after his collegiate career.

Steger represented Ball State at the NCAA Regionals -- tying for 49th out of 75 golfers in 2011. He qualified for the U.S. Amateur in 2009 and 2010, advancing to match play both times. Steger was crowned the 2010 Indiana Amateur Champion and the 2009 Indiana Public Links and IGA Match Play Champion.

After graduation, Steger went on to a successful professional career and recently won the PGA Indianapolis Open Championship in 2022.

A true Cardinal, Steger's mother Donna, his sister Lauren and wife Natalie, along with father Scott, all graduated from Ball State University. His mother also played golf for the Cardinals.

Ball State Athletics Announces 2023 Hall of Fame Class

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