And you thought the presidential election did not affect sports teams. Well, maybe it doesn't, but nine Ball State sports historically have a better overall winning percentage with a Democrat in office.
Baseball
Democrats:Republicans:Overall record: 787-804-8Overall winning percentage: .495MAC record: 265-290-3MAC winning percentage: .477
Best under what president: George W. Bush (2001-2008). Under George W. Bush, Ball State had the MAC's first No. 1 overall pick in a professional athletics draft with Bryan Bullington in 2002. The team had two All-Americans under Bush and made the regionals of the 2006 NCAA tournament. The team finished first in the MAC three times under Bush.
Softball
Democrats:Republicans:Overall record: 409-562-4Overall winning percentage: .421MAC record: 156-232-1MAC winning percentage: .402
Best under what president: Bill Clinton (1993-2000).The softball team's one MAC championship came while Bill Clinton was the president. The Cardinals won the 1998 MAC tournament, and then-coach Terri Laux won the team's lone MAC Coach of the Year honors. The team had nine all-MAC First Team selections under Clinton and Heather Hinkle was an all-American in 1999.
Football
DemocratsRepublicansOverall record: 211-209-11Overall winning percentage: .502 MAC record: 87-79-1MAC winning percentage: .524
Best under what president: Lyndon B. Johnson (1963-69).With Lyndon B. Johnson as president, the football team made its first two bowl games. The Cardinals had a winning season in every season under Johnson. Oscar Lubke and Amos VanPelt also earned all-American honors while Johnson was president.
Soccer
DemocratsRepublicans:Overall record: 96-44-20Overall winning percentage: .686MAC record: 55-24-12MAC winning percentage: .696MAC championships: 2
Best under what president: George W. Bush (2001-2008).Of the soccer team's 10-year program history, eight of the seasons were played during the Bush administration. After a pair of losing seasons under Bill Clinton, the Cardinals recorded seven consecutive winning seasons under Bush. They won their first two regular season conference championships while Bush was president.
Women's Volleyball
Democrats:Republicans:Overall record: 442-338-1Overall winning percentage: .567MAC record: 150-114-0MAC winning percentage: .568
Best under what president: Bill Clinton (1993-2000).Of the women's volleyball team's six MAC championships, five were won during Bill Clinton's administration. Four of the team's five best winning percentages also were under Clinton. The team's three MAC Players of the Year, (names of these?) all won the award while Clinton was president.
Field Hockey
Democrats:Republicans:Overall record: 209-191-11Overall winning percentage: .523MAC record: 92-61-0MAC winning percentage: .601
Best under what president: Bill Clinton (1993-2000).Four of the field hockey team's five trips to the NCAA tournament came during Bill Clinton's time in office. All five of the Cardinals' first team all-Americans also played during the Clinton administration.
Men's volleyball
DemocratsRepublicansOverall record: 602-255Overall winning percentage: .702MIVA Championships: 12All-American selections: 9
Best under what president: Lyndon B. Johnson (1963-68).Ball State won five consecutive MIVA championships from 1964-1968. In addition, Ralph Evans was named a third-team All-American in 1964, and Tony Musica was named to a third-team All-American in 1968.
Women's swimming and diving
DemocratsRepublicansOverall record: 163-94-1Overall winning percentage: .634MAC record: 54-65MAC winning percentage: .454MAC Championships: 0
Best under what president: George Bush (1989-1992).Ball State won at least eight games in each of the four years Bush was in office. During the 1989-90 season, the Cardinals were 9-2 - the second fewest losses in program history - and were third in the MAC.
Men's swimming and diving
DemocratsRepublicansOverall record: 197-160Overall winning percentage: .552MAC ecord: 60-57MAC winning percentage: .513Conference championships: 1
Best under what president: George Bush (1989-1992).The most games the Cardinals lost in a season during Bush's term was three games - the 1989-90 and 1990-91 seasons. In addition, Brian Kennedy and Dave Keener each were named MAC Diver of the Year during Bush's presidency.
Men's basketball
DemocratsRepublicansOverall record: 587-573-1Overall winning percentage: .506MAC record: 187-169MAC winning percentage: .525NCAA Appearances: 4
Best under what president: Bill Clinton (1993-2001).Ball State advanced to the NCAA Tournament four times and won the MAC regular-season championship three times. Bonzi Wells also set the school record for career points and was named an All-American honorable mention.
Women's basketball
DemocratsRepublicansOverall record: 263-319Overall winning percentage: .452MAC record: 133-169MAC winning percentage: .440MAC Championships: 0
Best under what president: George W. Bush (2001-2008).Ball State advanced to the WNIT postseason tournament three times during Bush's presidency and reached the second round twice. In three seasons the Cardinals won at least 20 games, including a program-best 24-7 record in 2006-07.
Women's tennis
DemocratsRepublicansOverall record: 186-235Overall winning percentage: .442MAC record: 44-90MAC winning percentage: .329MAC Championships: 0
Best under what president: Bill Clinton (1993-2000).The Cardinals had a winning record in six of the eight years of Clinton's term. Ball State had back-to-back program-best 5-1 conference records in the 1994-95 and 1995-96 seasons.
Men's tennis
DemocratsRepublicansOverall record: 446-242Overall winning percentage: .648MAC record: 121-18MAC winning percentage: .871MAC Championships: 13
Best under what president: Ronald Reagan (1981-1998).Ball State won a school-record 29 consecutive conference meets and five MAC Championships from 1984 to 1988. In addition, Todd Hershey and Eric Nixon advanced to the NCAA Round of 16 in 1998.
Gymnastics
DemocratsRepublicansOverall record: 126-211Overall winning percentage: .374MAC record: 36-90 MAC winning percentage: .286MAC Championships: 1
Best under what president: Bill Clinton (1993-2000).The Cardinals finished second in the conference five times during Clinton's two terms in office, including a school-record 22 wins in 2000. Sarah Mikrut advanced to the NCAA Championships twice and is the only person in program history to reach the championships.
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