Graduating May 5 from Ball State University with a degree in accounting, Andy Skillman finally ended his four-year career as a member of the men's golf team. A few days later however, head coach Mike Fleck announced Andy Skillman's younger brother Eric signed a letter of intent to attend Ball State.
Although Andy Skillman was making his exit from the men's golf program, Eric decided to continue his brother's success.
"Ball State was my primary choice because Andy was here," Eric Skillman said. "I have been around the program the last four years. I wasn't trying to push away from the other colleges, but it all just fell into place and fit right."
An alumnus from Jasper High School, Eric Skillman earned four letters in golf and tennis and was an all-conference selection in golf in 2005 and 2006. Yet, as the younger brother of Andy Skillman, Eric Skillman has a lot of catching up to do.
Competing in all four years at Ball State, Andy Skillman owns the second-lowest 18-hole score in Ball State history, with a round of 64. He was also a Golf All-America Scholar. With his older brother succeeding both in the classroom and on the course, Eric Skillman said he faces the challenges of many expectations.
"I know my family and coach Fleck expect good academics and good play," Eric Skillman said. "I had the same problem when I entered high school. Andy and I both played sports and I had to put up with the expectations. He was on teams that went to state championships but that always motivated me."
Although Eric Skillman is attending the same school as Andy Skillman did, he insists Ball State is the right place.
"I didn't try to go to any other schools," Eric Skillman said. " I already knew coach Fleck and I knew I had a chance to play here. I had successful summers and everything went from there."
Because of his relationship to his older brother, Eric Skillman had the chance to meet coach Fleck four years ago. Describing their relationship in a positive manner, Eric Skillman said he hopes his relationship with coach Fleck continues to grow.
"It's always been good," Eric Skillman said. "He has been able to talk to me as a family member, not as a player. He is a nice guy but competitive enough to where he will push his players to get better, and I really like that quality."
Even though coach Fleck says Andy and Eric Skillman are two individuals, he sees similarities between the brothers.
"I see a lot of similarities in personality and demeanor on the golf course," Fleck said. "What attracts me is how they conduct themselves on and off the golf course. The way Eric has handled himself on the golf course is a lot like Andy did."
Eric Skillman said he hopes for the best in his first year as a Cardinal. With classes, social events and difficult qualifying rounds, he said he recognizes all the difficult tasks that lie ahead. Eric Skillman said he is eventually hoping to earn a regular spot in the lineup.
Despite extraordinary goals, Fleck said he has a lot of confidence in Eric Skillman.
"From my perspective I knew what I was getting when Eric Skillman decided to attend Ball State," Fleck said. "While Andy was a great man who prioritized what he wanted to do, Eric is going to do his own thing with our program and hopefully make his own impression. The first thing I look for in a prospect is the 'fit' and it just so happened that Eric fit that mold."
Now as an accountant at Estep-Doctor & Company, a public accounting firm in Muncie, Andy Skillman will watch his brother continue the family's tradition at Ball State.
"It is neat to see him playing at Ball State," Andy Skillman said. "He's got a great opportunity and I think he knew early on this is where he wanted to go. He will have four good years to do well, and the main thing is to just enjoy it all."
Even though Andy Skillman knows people will try to compare his brother to himself, he said his younger brother should just focus on his own game and focus on stacking up to his teammates.
While Eric Skillman can't change the fact he is Andy Skillman's brother, he understands he has to find his own way.
"There will always be the 'hey I did this better than you' comment," Eric Skillman said. But you have to realize that you are your own person and you have to create your own legacy."
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