After averaging 27.1 points and 6.0 assists per game as a senior basketball player at Blue River Valley High School in Springport, graduate student Kyle Cox received a basketball scholarship from Ball State University in 2002.
In the spring of 2004, however, after two years with the basketball team, Cox decided to dedicate his time with the men's golf team and head coach Mike Fleck.
A three-time Blue River Valley Most Valuable Player in golf, Cox always enjoyed swinging the club. His passion for golf led to an opportunity to play another sport.
With a talented résumé, Fleck said, he knew of Cox before he came to Ball State on a basketball scholarship. Allowing Cox a chance to join the golf team Fleck handed him a roster spot for the 2004-05 season. From 2004-2007, Cox became a productive player and student-athlete, impressing Fleck with an incredible work ethic and textbook golf swing.
Now in his second year of graduate school, majoring in Sports Exercise Psychology, Cox is the graduate assistant coach for both the men and women's golf teams.
"I have really enjoyed my time with coach Fleck and the team," Cox said. "When I was playing basketball, Fleck reminded me that I would always have a spot on his team. I wanted to repay him, help the program and give back whatever I could. So far it has been a lot of fun."
As an assistant coach, Cox has plenty of duties. Whether it's helping with recruiting, driving the team to the airport or keeping the players busy during practice, Fleck said, his time with Cox has been awesome.
"He has a passion for coaching and athletics," Fleck said. "I knew Kyle would be out of eligibility in 2007 and understood he had a plan on getting his masters degree. I was able to get approval from the administration to add an assistant coach. He has been a good fit because of his experience with Ball State's athletic department."
Cox said coaching has always been an appealing career to him. When Cox completed undergraduate school in 2006, he majored in Pre-Medicine and Chemistry. Currently applying to medical school, Cox said, he sees himself in both settings.
"Coaching is definitely something that is attractive to me," Cox said. "I relate well to people I think it is a great avenue if medical school does not work out. I just appreciate the opportunities I have been given and either way I don't think I can go wrong with either career choice."
Former teammate and current member of men's golf team, Matt Schumaker, said Cox brings a unique perspective as a coach.
"Having him here as a coach has been awesome," Schumaker said. "We're able to goof around but he has also helped me a lot with my attitude on the course. He is like a 'buddy-coach,' a friend that is also a coach. The fact that he has been around and knows the game makes him that much better. All the players know him well and trust him. It's nice because if we don't want to say something to the coach we can go through him first."
Prior to Cox becoming the graduate assistant coach of Ball State's golf teams, Fleck and women's head coach Katherine Mowat were a staff of one. Because Fleck and women's golf coach Katherine Mowat are only allowed to take a five-person team to tournaments, other players in previous years would be left in Muncie. Knowing Cox would be an asset to the teams' progress, Fleck and Mowat were finally given additional help.
"My biggest push for having this position is that the players at home when we are away at tournaments don't have someone to work with and progress," Fleck said. " You can only do so much with one person, and when Katherine and I are on the road, Cox is in a position with enough knowledge to provide these players opportunities that will help us. My argument to the administration was that a graduate assistant could stay at home and work with these students."
With a high intelligence for the game of golf, Cox will continue to coach the Cardinals this spring season. Another eye at practice, Cox is a qualified assistant who offers honest feedback, Fleck said.
"He has done a great job. The more he gotten involved the more comfortable he has gotten," Fleck said. "He was able to take the B team to a tournament in the fall an acted as the coach. He is continuously learning the coaching process and receiving a lot of confidence. He has excellent rapport with his players and is a great liaison."
During the off-season in the winter, Cox was a bench coach for Blue River High School. Learning more about profession of coaching, Cox will be applying his knowledge this spring.
"Earlier in the fall I had a tendency to grab a club and take a swing. It's more fun to be a play, but coaching is equally exciting," Cox said. "I prefer to be a player, but as a coach you get to understand a lot more about the game and those on the team. Working with Fleck has been a good experience. He is open to suggestions and that always makes me feel good."
As the spring season evolves, Cox will continue his coaching experience, offering both a player and coach perspective.
"He just enjoys being around student athletics," Fleck said. "I have a lot of respect for him as a player and coach. Even though he isn't playing, he gets satisfaction with the relationship he has with the players. He loves the golf course, is a very valuable asset, and brings a positive attitude ever day."
About Kyle Cox
- First-year graduate assistant coach for men's and women's golf teams
- Three-year letter winner for men's golf team
- Played basketball for Ball State from 2002-2004
- Shot a career-low round of 66 at the IPFW Fall Classic his junior year
- Father works at Ball State as an associate athletics trainer for the men's basketball and golf teams
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