Ball State will host the 2007 Indiana girl's volleyball State Championships ending 35 straight years of the event being held in Indianapolis. Both the semi-finals and finals will take place in the Muncie area for all four classes of girl's volleyball on Nov. 3rd.
Ball State women's volleyball coach David Boos said the move to Worthen Arena will benefit his program.
"You're going to have athletes coming in playing on your floor, in your facility, and walking around campus," Boos said. "The goal for their year becomes getting to Muncie. Its an advantage to have [potential players] around the beautiful campus of Ball State and our facilities."
With the top teams and players coming to Muncie they will be able to see the type of facilities they would have if they were to come to Ball State. Some of the teams might not have to travel far to see those facilities, or even out of their hometown.
Muncie area high schools have won 27 girl's volleyball state championships since it was first played in 1972-73.
Burris Laboratory School has won the most as they have won the state championship, class 2A since the class system was implemented in 1997-98, 14 of the last 16 years including 10 straight.
Boos believes holding the State Championships in Worthen Arena will only raise the already high reputation for the Muncie area when it comes to volleyball.
"I don't think there is any denying that the heart of volleyball comes from Muncie," Boos said. "This will solidify that."
Ball State, however, has only been given 2007 to host, Associate Athletics Director for Community Relations Matt Wolfert said. The agreement Ball State made with the Indiana High School Athletic Association will expire following the 2007 season. The IHSAA will then either work out a new contract with Ball State or choose a different site.
"To my understanding it was a one-year agreement and hopefully comes with an ability that if we do a good job that will open the door for future a deal, a longer deal," Wolfert said.
Worthen Arena will not be the host for all the games played in Muncie on Nov. 3rd. Five of the eight games will be played in Worthen Arena, leaving three games to be played at high schools in Delaware County. The class 2A, 3A, 4A semi-finals will be played at Delta High School, Muncie Central High School, and Yorktown High School respectively. Both class A semi-finals and finals will be played in Worthen Arena, along with the three other finals.
Wolfert did not have a specific number Ball State will receive as a fee for allowing the five games to be played in Worthen Arena. Any ticket sale, concession, or any other revenue will all go to the IHSAA, according to Wolfert.
Wolfert said Ball State is happy to have the opportunity to host.
"It's a privilege for Ball State athletics and Ball State itself to have the opportunity to host this event," Wolfert said. "It's a real feather in our cap for the university that the [IHSAA] looked at us as a viable spot to bring their finals."
Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Tom Collins said the extra exposure Ball State will receive during that weekend will be good for the whole Muncie community.
"Women's volleyball is such a big sport in this state and we will be the vocal point that weekend," Collins said. "I think its great for Ball State, I think its great for the Muncie community, and I think its great for volleyball community here."
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