Ball State University Athletics

Photo by: Ball State University
Another Semester in the Books Spells Another Academic Record for Ball State Athletics
December 22, 2025 | Baseball, Field Hockey, Football, Men's Basketball, Men's Golf, Men's Swimming and Diving, Men's Tennis, Men's Volleyball, Softball, Women's Basketball, Women's Golf, Women's Swimming and Diving, Women's Tennis, Women's Volleyball, Cross Country, Gymnastics, Soccer, Track & Field, Cardinal Varsity Club
MUNCIE, Ind. -- For the ninth consecutive semester, Ball State student-athletes recorded a combined department GPA of at least 3.40, this fall compiling a 3.489 mark that is the highest single-term mark in program history. The 3.489 term GPA eclipses the 3.487 GPA that set a new record last spring.
Â
"Congratulations to our remarkable student-athletes on another significant academic achievement," said Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell, "We have continued to set records by every measure, and I applaud Lara Hillenberg and our student-athlete support services staff who help position our student-athletes for academic success."
Â
Ball State Athletics has seen an increase in its department GPA in five out of six semesters since Mitchell's arrival on campus in Spring 2023.
Â
Seventeen of 19 Ball State sports teams boasted GPAs of at least 3.25 during the fall semester. Women's golf (3.926) and soccer teams (3.900) had the highest GPAs among women's sports. The men's tennis (3.655) and men's golf (3.643) teams topped men's programs. Overall, 280 out of 436 total Ball State student-athletes performed with a 3.5 GPA or above last semester.
Â
Ball State student-athletes have seen their combined GPA continue to rise ever since eclipsing a 3.40 mark for the first time in Fall 2021. In succession, combined GPAs have steadily approached an elusive 3.5 mark for the Cardinals' collective group of student-athletes: 3.41 (Fall 2021), 3.40 (Spring 2022), 3.40 (Fall 2022), 3.43 (Spring 2023), 3.44 (Fall 2023), 3.40 (Spring 2024), 3.43 (Fall 2024), 3.48 (Spring 2025) and 3.48 (Fall 2025).
Â
Last month, NCAA Graduation Success Rates revealed a 94 percent GSR that reflected another department record. It is the sixth straight year that Ball State student-athletes have eclipsed a 90 percent rate and at least matched their program record.
.
Â
Follow the Cardinals
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
Â
Â
Â
"Congratulations to our remarkable student-athletes on another significant academic achievement," said Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell, "We have continued to set records by every measure, and I applaud Lara Hillenberg and our student-athlete support services staff who help position our student-athletes for academic success."
Â
Ball State Athletics has seen an increase in its department GPA in five out of six semesters since Mitchell's arrival on campus in Spring 2023.
Â
Seventeen of 19 Ball State sports teams boasted GPAs of at least 3.25 during the fall semester. Women's golf (3.926) and soccer teams (3.900) had the highest GPAs among women's sports. The men's tennis (3.655) and men's golf (3.643) teams topped men's programs. Overall, 280 out of 436 total Ball State student-athletes performed with a 3.5 GPA or above last semester.
Â
Ball State student-athletes have seen their combined GPA continue to rise ever since eclipsing a 3.40 mark for the first time in Fall 2021. In succession, combined GPAs have steadily approached an elusive 3.5 mark for the Cardinals' collective group of student-athletes: 3.41 (Fall 2021), 3.40 (Spring 2022), 3.40 (Fall 2022), 3.43 (Spring 2023), 3.44 (Fall 2023), 3.40 (Spring 2024), 3.43 (Fall 2024), 3.48 (Spring 2025) and 3.48 (Fall 2025).
Â
Last month, NCAA Graduation Success Rates revealed a 94 percent GSR that reflected another department record. It is the sixth straight year that Ball State student-athletes have eclipsed a 90 percent rate and at least matched their program record.
.
Â
Follow the Cardinals
Â
Â
Men's Basketball // Post Game Press Conference at UMass
Sunday, January 11
Sports Link: Patrick Rogers + USA
Thursday, January 08
Sports Link: To Make Him Proud (Juwan Maxey)
Thursday, January 08
Men's Volleyball // First Match Recap & Season Preview
Thursday, January 08



