In recent discussions of the athletics program controversy at Ball State, the football team has been called "big-time." That characterization is so inaccurate that it borders on being ridiculous.
First, I want to state that I am a long-time Cardinals fan. For 26 years, I was a member of the faculty at Ball State. I had season tickets for football and attended many other athletic events involving both men's and women's teams. Also, I was a member of the Cardinal Varsity Club, helped raise funds for athletics, personally contributed regularly to the program and served as a member and secretary of the University Senate Athletics Committee. Since retiring, I have closely followed the Cardinals and recommended football prospects from Florida to the coaches.
For many years, I have annually compiled the cumulative record of Mid-American Conference football teams in games against other NCAA Division 1 instituions. The MAC has been dominated by these opponents by an overwhelming and embarassing margin. If it were not for Marshall, a recent addition to the conference, the results would be even more one-sided. (Yes, I know MAC teams have pulled some upsets, but they have been few in number.) To call BSU and the MAC as a league "big-time" is ludicrous.
Having retired in 1990, I have resided in Florida. Although I have had opportunities to see the Cardinals face major football opponents such as Florida and Auburn, I have declined, frankly, because I do not enjoy seeing the Cardinals mauled by teams like these.
Now I spend several months each year in Maine. Last fall I traveled to Storrs to see the BSU-UConn game. If the Cardinals played Maine, UMass or Northeastern (Division 1-AA teams), I would be in attendance when games were held in the East. I see these teams from the Atlantic 10 play, and I believe games between them and the Cardinals would be very competitive.
As I have advocated for many years, during and following my career at Ball State, the MAC should stop pretending to be something it is not. There is nothing wrong with being other than a "big-time" football conference or team. As a matter of fact, with all of the abuses in Division 1 football, it could be advantageous to not be associated with that division. There has been no discernible loss of prestige or public support by the Atlantic 10 universities mentioned previously, Ivy League institutions and other Division 1-A or even Division 2 or 3 teams because of their NCAA status. A recent NCAA study clearly revealed that increased expenditures for athletics do not lead to either athletic or academic success.
Institutions like Ball State that try to emulate their big brothers are losers in the long run. Money spent in the vain quest for major football success could be utilized for other programs offering far greater potential for institutional development and student satisfaction with their college experiences.
As in the past, I will continue to be a Ball State Cardinals fan. I can only hope that rationality and reasonableness will be reasserted on the campus and that those in positions of authority will listen to faculty and students, who should have a greater voice in decision-making.
Students at Ball State are heavily subsidizing the athletics program with very little input into the establishment of priorities. They should not have to continue financially supporting so heavily a football program that will never be "big-time."
Likewise, faculty through their governance structure should have a greater voice in the allocation of resources. The faculty I know at Ball State are not anti-athletics; but, many outstanding faculty members have had reservations for years regarding directions in which the BSU leadership has been moving. These distinguished scholars need to be heard.
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