Walsh Signs Contract Extension Through 2026
August 09, 2024 | Field Hockey
MUNCIE, Ind. – Ball State athletics director Jeff Mitchell has announced that third-year head field hockey coach Caitlin Walsh has signed a contract extension that will run through 2026.
"I value Coach Walsh's steady approach to leading our field hockey team," said Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell. "Coach Walsh has positioned Ball State field hockey as a program on the rise, and I am excited that she will continue to coach and mentor our talented student-athletes in her enthusiastic and encouraging style."
After Walsh's first season, she guided the Cardinals to their first MAC tournament appearance since 2019. Ball State also had one of its best seasons in over a 10-year span in 2022. Walsh has helped Ball State to back-to-back seven-win seasons. Last year, Walsh coached the Cardinals to an exciting win over Big Ten foe Indiana in a sudden death shootout at the Briner Sports Complex, a feat no Ball State field hockey team had accomplished since the 2012 season.
Under the direction of Walsh, she has had three players earn postseason First Team All-MAC honors, along with a Second Team All-MAC recipient, the 2023 MAC Defensive Player of the Year and in 2022 placed two Cardinals on the All-MAC Tournament squad.
"I am thrilled to commit to a long-term future at Ball State," Walsh said. "We have made massive progress over the past couple of seasons, and I believe that we are just getting started. I'd like to thank President Mearns and Jeff Mitchell for their support along with the confidence that they have in me and my staff. Ball State is an extremely special place. I am excited for the future and I'm looking forward to continuing competing for a Mid-American Conference championship."
Walsh and the Cardinals begin fall camp Friday and will open their season in an open scrimmage against the Miami RedHawks on Saturday, Aug. 24 at 3 pm ET. The Cardinals return 19 players from last year's squad including Michaela Graney who was the 2023 MAC Defensive Player of the Year. Ball State will also welcome five newcomers.
"I value Coach Walsh's steady approach to leading our field hockey team," said Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell. "Coach Walsh has positioned Ball State field hockey as a program on the rise, and I am excited that she will continue to coach and mentor our talented student-athletes in her enthusiastic and encouraging style."
After Walsh's first season, she guided the Cardinals to their first MAC tournament appearance since 2019. Ball State also had one of its best seasons in over a 10-year span in 2022. Walsh has helped Ball State to back-to-back seven-win seasons. Last year, Walsh coached the Cardinals to an exciting win over Big Ten foe Indiana in a sudden death shootout at the Briner Sports Complex, a feat no Ball State field hockey team had accomplished since the 2012 season.
Under the direction of Walsh, she has had three players earn postseason First Team All-MAC honors, along with a Second Team All-MAC recipient, the 2023 MAC Defensive Player of the Year and in 2022 placed two Cardinals on the All-MAC Tournament squad.
"I am thrilled to commit to a long-term future at Ball State," Walsh said. "We have made massive progress over the past couple of seasons, and I believe that we are just getting started. I'd like to thank President Mearns and Jeff Mitchell for their support along with the confidence that they have in me and my staff. Ball State is an extremely special place. I am excited for the future and I'm looking forward to continuing competing for a Mid-American Conference championship."
Walsh and the Cardinals begin fall camp Friday and will open their season in an open scrimmage against the Miami RedHawks on Saturday, Aug. 24 at 3 pm ET. The Cardinals return 19 players from last year's squad including Michaela Graney who was the 2023 MAC Defensive Player of the Year. Ball State will also welcome five newcomers.
Players Mentioned
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