Ball State University Athletics
Men's Golf Welcomes Veteran MAC Coach Bruce Cunningham
July 29, 2026 | Men's Golf
MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State men's golf program is excited to welcome veteran Mid-American Conference coach Bruce Cunningham to the Cardinals family, announced by head coach Mike Fleck. Cunningham will serve as assistant coach heading into the 2026-27 campaign.
"We are thrilled to welcome Bruce to our program," Fleck stated. "His more than three decades of head coaching experience, consistent success, and passion for developing young men make him an outstanding addition to our family and staff. His familiarity with the MAC and the courses we compete on will give our players a valuable advantage, and his leadership will help our student-athletes continue to grow as competitors, teammates, and men."
Cunningham comes to Muncie after spending two seasons at Miami (OH) from 2024-26 as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. In his first year in Oxford, Cunningham helped the RedHawks earn its first top-100 national ranking since 2020. The following season culminated in the program's first conference title and NCAA appearance since 2015, as well as an individual conference champion.
A three-time MAC Coach of the Year (2007, 2008, 2019) at Eastern Michigan, Cunningham led the Eagles to three MAC Team Championships during those award-winning campaigns. Throughout his three-decade tenure in Ypsilanti from 1994-2024, he helped the development of 29 All-MAC selections, 41 Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) Academic All-Americans, three MAC Players of the Year and two conference championship medalists. Within that span, Cunningham was also the head coach of the Eastern Michigan women's program from 1997-99.
Beyond his experience with the men's and women's programs at Eastern Michigan, Cunningham shared his knowledge and expertise as a physical education golf instructor at the university from 1994-2004.
On the national stage at EMU, Cunningham coached a team or an individual to appear in a total of six NCAA Regionals and one national championship. He was also a driving force that helped the Eagles achieve the program's first-ever at-large bid in 2010 as the No. 11 seed.
Along with his coaching responsibilities, Cunningham served as chairman of the GCAA/NCAA National District IV Committee in 2004 and was a GCAA National District IV Ethics Representative from 1997-2001.
Prior to EMU, Cunningham, a Class A PGA Golf Professional, spent time as an assistant golf professional at Oakland Hills Country Club from 1989-1994. He was also the senior tournament director for the Junior Ping Tour, presented by ESPN and Golfweek, from 1989-93. From 1987-89, Cunningham was an assistant golf professional at Palm Aire Country Club in Sarasota, Florida. He also worked as an assistant professional at Marion (OH) Country Club from 1986-88.
Cunningham spent his collegiate career as team captain of the men's golf program at Wittenberg University. The two-time team MVP competed in four national championships and claimed two Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Championships (1982 and 1985) before graduating in 1985.
A native of Ashland, Ohio, Cunningham was a three-time all-conference golfer at Ashland High School. He also earned all-conference honors in basketball.
Cunningham and his wife, Marci, have two children, Allegra and Hagen.
"We are thrilled to welcome Bruce to our program," Fleck stated. "His more than three decades of head coaching experience, consistent success, and passion for developing young men make him an outstanding addition to our family and staff. His familiarity with the MAC and the courses we compete on will give our players a valuable advantage, and his leadership will help our student-athletes continue to grow as competitors, teammates, and men."
Cunningham comes to Muncie after spending two seasons at Miami (OH) from 2024-26 as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. In his first year in Oxford, Cunningham helped the RedHawks earn its first top-100 national ranking since 2020. The following season culminated in the program's first conference title and NCAA appearance since 2015, as well as an individual conference champion.
A three-time MAC Coach of the Year (2007, 2008, 2019) at Eastern Michigan, Cunningham led the Eagles to three MAC Team Championships during those award-winning campaigns. Throughout his three-decade tenure in Ypsilanti from 1994-2024, he helped the development of 29 All-MAC selections, 41 Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) Academic All-Americans, three MAC Players of the Year and two conference championship medalists. Within that span, Cunningham was also the head coach of the Eastern Michigan women's program from 1997-99.
Beyond his experience with the men's and women's programs at Eastern Michigan, Cunningham shared his knowledge and expertise as a physical education golf instructor at the university from 1994-2004.
On the national stage at EMU, Cunningham coached a team or an individual to appear in a total of six NCAA Regionals and one national championship. He was also a driving force that helped the Eagles achieve the program's first-ever at-large bid in 2010 as the No. 11 seed.
Along with his coaching responsibilities, Cunningham served as chairman of the GCAA/NCAA National District IV Committee in 2004 and was a GCAA National District IV Ethics Representative from 1997-2001.
Prior to EMU, Cunningham, a Class A PGA Golf Professional, spent time as an assistant golf professional at Oakland Hills Country Club from 1989-1994. He was also the senior tournament director for the Junior Ping Tour, presented by ESPN and Golfweek, from 1989-93. From 1987-89, Cunningham was an assistant golf professional at Palm Aire Country Club in Sarasota, Florida. He also worked as an assistant professional at Marion (OH) Country Club from 1986-88.
Cunningham spent his collegiate career as team captain of the men's golf program at Wittenberg University. The two-time team MVP competed in four national championships and claimed two Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Championships (1982 and 1985) before graduating in 1985.
A native of Ashland, Ohio, Cunningham was a three-time all-conference golfer at Ashland High School. He also earned all-conference honors in basketball.
Cunningham and his wife, Marci, have two children, Allegra and Hagen.
Monday, July 20
Tuesday, March 17
Monday, December 15
Saturday, December 13