As a self-confessed BSU football fanatic, I was extremely disappointed with the attendance at the first home football game of the season. Perhaps many members of the campus community do not realize what is at stake.
For the Ball State football program to remain in Division I-A, it must meet certain attendance figures set by the NCAA. Unfortunately, the NCAA has changed those figures several times (a practice I totally disagree with). The football team collects hundreds of thousands of dollars in appearance money for playing teams like Florida, Kansas State and Clemson, to name a few.
Appearance money garnered by the football team is then put into the general athletic fund, which is shared by all men and women's sports at Ball State. Therefore, if Ball State loses its Divison I-A status, all sports at BSU will suffer the consequences.
Members of the Muncie community must understand the economic impact that Ball State home football games have on the local economy. Surely it will suffer too if the football team does not remain Division I-A.
I suspect some people may think that BSU football players are spoiled. Nothing could be further from the truth. I am sure a majority of you would find it extremely difficult to keep up with a Ball State football players schedule on a good day. Scholarship money received by football players does not even amount to minimum wage when you take into consideration the amount of time and effort put in by these young men. Ball State's football program is definitely no frills. These young men are deserving of your support.
As a person who has not missed a home game in 12 years, I can tell you that this year's team is full of talent and experience. A majority of the team members were participants in the exciting win over nationally-ranked Toledo last year. I believe fan support at that game was one of the factors in that victory.
This year's conference battle promises to be a horse race. The parity in the Mid-American Conference is unbelievably tight, making fan support more important than ever. If you don't think fan support is important, just ask any player or coach. I would love to see the students pack their section of the stadium and the rest of you fill other sections of the stadium for the remaining four home games.
Students, members of the University and Muncie communtiies, your attendance is requested at the next home game (as well as the other three), Oct. 5 against a very good Northern Illinois team. Your support is not only needed, it is essential.
Bonnie Einstandig-Hill
alumna
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