With an eminent ending in sight, Ball State men's track coachJermaine Jones keeps a modest view on the final season for theprogram.
"It's still a season and I'm going to coach until they tell menot to. I don't dwell on what's going to happen at the end of theyear," Jones said.
"You're only blessed with one day at a time and that's how Itake it. We still have a full season and that's what people need tounderstand."
The Cardinals will be on display for the first time this seasontonight in the last home meet of the program's existence at 5 p.m.in the Field Sports Building. The athletic department chose toeliminate both the men's track and cross country programs thissummer in an effort to reduce a deficit in the athletic operatingbudget.
The meet will be inter-squad, which means the Cards will besplit into two teams and face each other in the same competitivespirit they would an opponent.
"They are definitely going out to beat each other, but once themeet is over they are back to being teammates," Jones said.
All-American and National Champion candidate Paul Panning willattempt to beat the BSU field house record in the pole vault, setby David Hodge at 17-4 3/4 in 1992.
Panning currently holds the indoor school record among BallState athletes at 17-3 1/4, but he did not accomplish this feat atBall State's field house.
"The overall feeling of this meet will be a little different.We're all pretty pumped about it," Panning said.
Teammate Ben Daniel shares the same feeling as Panning in thathe believes "there's going to be a lot of excitement."
The NCAA Regional Qualifying high jumper Daniel will beattempting a personal record jump of 7 feet. It will not just be abattle against himself, though.
Ball State alumni Adam Shunk, the BSU record holder in theoutdoor high jump at 7-3 1/4, will also be participating as part ofthe "black" team which will include Ball State alumni as well asothers who have trained with the team.
"(Adam) and I will go head to head and there should be some highbars set. It should definitely be pleasing for the crowd," Danielsaid.
"I'm hoping the student body is going to come out and watch. Itis our last year and we all want to see some support."
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