Photo by: Cam Pippin/Ball State Athletics
Dodgeball Caps Winter Workouts, Leads Football Program Into First Spring Practice Under Uremovich
February 28, 2025 | Football
MUNCIE, Ind. -- Friday's workout diversion for the Ball State football team was a welcomed change and a fun way to cap eight weeks of winter workouts that have bonded returning players, new players and a new coaching staff.
Dodgeball on the indoor turf brought a spirited competition among four teams of players, each chosen by "special teams captains." The four teams played head-to-head competitions to choose a winner, whose prize was an opportunity to play a game against the coaching staff.
The winning team, led by senior linebacker and special teams veteran Jack Beebe, beat the coaches in a final showdown to officially conclude the winter workout schedule.
"Ultimately, we want our guys competing in everything," said T.J. Greenstone, the Cardinals' new director of strength and conditioning, who guided Ball State's 108 football student-athletes through this year's winter workouts. "Regardless of what they are doing, football or non-football, competitiveness is something that should innately be a part of us. In addition, our guys have work their tails off for the last eight weeks. When you commit to the process, work hard and do it with consistency, rewards will come. This was a small reward for the guys. The winning team was given a chance to compete against the coaches, and ultimately won."
A critical moment emerged late in the championship dual when returning senior quarterback Kiael Kelly faced off at midfield with new QB coach Craig Harmon, both with a ball in their hand. Both competitors landed blows on the other, and both were eliminated. Soon after, final coaches were knocked out and Beebe's winning team of players earned the "2025 Dodgeball Championship."
The Cardinals take a break during the University's academic spring break, then return to begin five week's of spring practice, which commences on Tuesday, March 11. Spring ball, per NCAA regulation, encompasses 15 official workouts including pads and helmets. First-year coach Mike Uremovich will drill his first Ball State team through spring practices on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday of each week, culminating in a Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 12 at Scheumann Stadium.
Spring practices prior to the spring game, as part of the Spring Showcase on April 12, are closed to the public.Â
Dodgeball on the indoor turf brought a spirited competition among four teams of players, each chosen by "special teams captains." The four teams played head-to-head competitions to choose a winner, whose prize was an opportunity to play a game against the coaching staff.
The winning team, led by senior linebacker and special teams veteran Jack Beebe, beat the coaches in a final showdown to officially conclude the winter workout schedule.
"Ultimately, we want our guys competing in everything," said T.J. Greenstone, the Cardinals' new director of strength and conditioning, who guided Ball State's 108 football student-athletes through this year's winter workouts. "Regardless of what they are doing, football or non-football, competitiveness is something that should innately be a part of us. In addition, our guys have work their tails off for the last eight weeks. When you commit to the process, work hard and do it with consistency, rewards will come. This was a small reward for the guys. The winning team was given a chance to compete against the coaches, and ultimately won."
A critical moment emerged late in the championship dual when returning senior quarterback Kiael Kelly faced off at midfield with new QB coach Craig Harmon, both with a ball in their hand. Both competitors landed blows on the other, and both were eliminated. Soon after, final coaches were knocked out and Beebe's winning team of players earned the "2025 Dodgeball Championship."
The Cardinals take a break during the University's academic spring break, then return to begin five week's of spring practice, which commences on Tuesday, March 11. Spring ball, per NCAA regulation, encompasses 15 official workouts including pads and helmets. First-year coach Mike Uremovich will drill his first Ball State team through spring practices on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday of each week, culminating in a Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 12 at Scheumann Stadium.
Spring practices prior to the spring game, as part of the Spring Showcase on April 12, are closed to the public.Â
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