When the Ball State University men's golf team lost five seniors to graduation in the spring of 2007, then sophomore Brian Maurer knew he would be asked to lead the Cardinals the following season.
Although Maurer competed in half of the tournaments his sophomore season, he showed enough to coach Mike Fleck that he was ready to be the face of Ball State golf.
"Coming in I expected to contribute and play right away, but my first year and a half that didn't happen," Maurer said. "Coach just told me to be ready, and when freshman Travis Smith passed away in a car accident, I had to step in and help."
During his second year, Maurer played in 17 rounds for a 75.88 average. He was Ball State's top finisher at the Wolf Run Intercollegiate and fired an individual low of 70 to help the Cardinals finish second at the Marshall Invitational. As a reward for his efforts, he was named Ball State's Most Improved Player.
"It's all a process," Maurer said. "It takes a few weeks to get used to competing after waiting so long for a chance to play. That was the toughest thing because naturally I am a competitor. Golf is all about the unexpected, but I've handled it fairly well, and I am proud of what I have been able to accomplish thus far."
Because Ball State had no seniors on its roster last season, Maurer had to provide the leadership for a young and inexperienced squad. As the team co-captain, Maurer led the Cardinals with a 74.13 average and was one of only two players to compete in every tournament. At season's end, Maurer was named Co-Most Valuable Player.
"It's been a whirlwind experience for me at Ball State," Maurer said. "But I have cherished every moment, and I hope to tell my grandkids one day about Ball State golf."
Teammate Andrew Rhodes said he considers Maurer a great friend and appreciates what he has been able to do for the team.
"I had a really good friend in high school that pushed me to get better, and Brian has filled that spot," Rhodes said. "We are both competitors, and that makes us both better. It means the world to have someone like him on the team. He pushes me every day on the course, but I can also talk to him about anything off the course, and I consider him one of my best friends."
In high school, Maurer lettered four years in golf at Richmond High School. He was a two-time Most Valuable Golfer and an all-state and all-conference player. Maurer also lettered three years in basketball.
"It was tough playing both sports," Maurer said. "Golf was an underlying passion and something I wanted to put my future into. I love basketball, and it is still to this day probably my favorite sport, but I've always been better at golf. And it has paid off since."
Even though Maurer was a two-sport athlete, Fleck said he was well aware of Maurer's talent and put a lot of effort in recruiting him.
"I was recruited by a few other schools, but Fleck came out early in my high school career and developed a solid relationship with me," Maurer said. "It was a relationship I didn't want to end, so I came to Ball State."
Since his freshman year, Fleck has guided Maurer in becoming a well-rounded golfer.
"He is my dad away from home," Maurer said of Fleck. "He has helped me tremendously, and he is the guy to go to for any questions. I can't thank him enough for what he has done for my golf career and me."
Fleck said he always knew Maurer would be reliable and able to put up good statistics. Although Maurer had to wait a few years for his opportunity, Fleck was comfortable putting Maurer into the lineup when he needed a player.
"Ball State was pretty good the first few years Brian was here," Fleck said. "But I knew he would be somebody I could count on. He had to wait and persevere, but now he is one of our top players, and that is very encouraging."
Since the beginning of his junior year, Maurer has been one of the most consistent golfers at Ball State.
"It's definitely something we need from him," Fleck said. "He is a very talented individual and works very hard. He has represented our program at a high level, and I appreciate the way he has gone about doing that."
For Maurer, he attributes his success to work ethic. Considering himself one of the hardest working players, Maurer is now reaping the benefits from his efforts.
"The harder you work the more success you are going to see," Maurer said. "I am very flattered to be considered a leader on this team, but I have to give all the credit to my teammates."
Rhodes said Maurer is a terrific leader who focuses on his teammates as much as he does himself.
"He is always pushing everyone around him, and he doesn't take days off," Rhodes said. "Golf takes hard work and dedication, and that's what he has been doing."
Fleck said Maurer has done his part to continue the success of Ball State's golf program.
"I think that his impact down the road will be with what our younger guys do," Fleck said "He is setting an example in a team-first mentality and work ethic. It will be interesting to see what the younger players take away from Maurer. He has taken a personal interest in the younger guys and is making sure they stay focused."
When Maurer graduates next semester he said he hopes to have made Ball State golf a better program than it was before he was a player.
"I just want to leave BSU better than I found it," Maurer said. "Hopefully my work ethic will carry on to other players, and they will appreciate what I have done. I've worked my butt off, and I hope people can look back and say that he had perseverance, determination, and went out as a Mid-American Conference champion."
Even though Maurer still has one more semester at Ball State, Fleck said he understands the work Maurer has put into Ball State's golf program.
"He has worked hard from day one," Fleck said. "He has always had an attitude that is to be ready when his name is called. He has continued to put time and effort into golf and is not going about it differently now than when he was younger. He is now in a leadership role and has supported the team as the leader that he is."
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