As the war with Iraq has officially begun, the world of athletics is moving along as scheduled.
So far, the only major change in regard to athletics around the nation, including professional and intercollegiate play, is the cancellation of travel to Japan for major-league baseball teams.
In fact, one of the biggest sporting events of the year, the NCAA tournament, took place as scheduled Thursday. That included four games played in the RCA Dome in Indianapolis.
One Ball State official who attended the games in the RCA Dome Thursday was athletics director Bubba Cunningham. According to Cunningham, it's a good thing the tournament is going on as planned.
"(NCAA President) Myles Brand articulated his thoughts very well," Cunningham said. "We have to continue to live our life and not have it dictated by another person or country. Obviously, we want to be respectful of what the troops and our military are trying to do. But it's important to live on."
On Tuesday, Brand held a press conference in Indianapolis, the NCAA headquarters.
"From everything we know right now, it's in the best interest of the country to go forward," Brand said Tuesday.
Brand's decision came after talking with Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge.
"We are also concerned that life go on as normal," Brand said Tuesday. "We see no reason, after consulting with Secretary Ridge, to make any alterations to our plan."
To mark his agreement with Brand that life must go on, Cunningham attended the four games held in Indianapolis Thursday.
According to Cunningham, it appeared that security was tight at the RCA Dome, as every person who entered the dome was checked with a metal-detecting wand. Cunningham explained that he noticed the lines to enter the dome were becoming rather lengthy and that security was taking its time to check attendees.
Contemporary Services Corporation, the company in charge of staffing security for events at the RCA Dome, declined to comment on any changes that had been made in regard to the nation's raised terror-threat level.
Cunningham went on to explain that little changes would be made regarding Ball State athletics security. He said that the size of the crowd for spring sports such as baseball and softball is not large enough to create a security concern.
Cunningham did explain, however, that if the women's basketball team gets the opportunity to host a Women's National Invitational Tournament game in Muncie, tighter security measures may become of concern.
The women's team plays in first round action Friday at Indiana State.
Cunningham explained that little discussion has gone on among Ball State coaches and team members regarding war and security issues and that it is important to allow public safety officials to take security measures. Cunningham said that players and coaches on every level, including the NCAA tournament, should try to remain focused on playing and competing.
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