Ball State men's basketball head coach Tim Buckley has agreed and signed a two year contract extension, athletics director Bubba Cunningham said.
The extension adds two years to his current contract that had two years remaining. With the extension, it ensures Buckley will be the head coach through the 2007-08 season.
"My family and I are very excited, because we love Ball State," Buckley said. "We love the community. It's a great place to raise our daughter, and we think it's an outstanding place to work because of the people here at the university."
Former athletics director Andrea Seger and Buckley spoke about the extension after last season, when the Cardinals finished with a 23-12 record (12-6 in the MAC), winning the MAC West Championship. In April, Buckley verbally agreed to the contract.
"He's a very good coach," Cunningham said. "It's great that he makes a long-term commitment to Ball State, because we could really build some consistency and build a real strong program with his leadership."
After two years at head coach for the Cardinals, Buckley has won 41 games, 23 against Mid-American Conference foes. The 41 wins is third most for a Ball State coach over the first two years. The 23 MAC victories ties for the best total in Ball State coach's first two years.
"We really enjoy where we've come with the basketball program for the past two years," Buckley said. "It's something we've put a lot of time and energy in, our staff and players, and some have seen it through and continue it on is really a new thing to us."
Buckley and the Cards will try to continue their success into the 2002-03 season starting in November. The team officially starts practicing at Midnight Mania this Friday. The first exhibition game is at home against Team Nike on November 6.
"Hopefully we can continue to make it a very reputable basketball program, not only here in Muncie, Indiana but throughout the state and throughout the country," Buckley said.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
