As the football team approaches its final regular season game on Tuesday, the time has come to reflect on the past few months of Ball State University football and to think a bit about the future.
The Cardinals are ranked No. 15 in the nation. They have 11 impressive wins under their belts. Their exceptional players and coaches are discussed daily in national sports media.
Ball State fans have a new reason to be proud of their school, and potential students and benefactors have a rejuvenated interest in the university.
A football team of this caliber has the potential to bring Ball State excitement, pride, recognition and money. It's been a good season.
More seasons like this should follow.
In order for this to happen, though, the university needs to take a few precautions.
First and foremost, it needs to hold on to Brady Hoke.
This coach's direction and recruiting have put Ball State football on a national stage. He deserves to be not only rewarded for this year's success but also given an incentive to stick around.
Hoke's salary is $240,000 a year, which is the third-largest coach's salary in the Mid-American Conference.
Hoke has shown he's worth more than that.
BCS schools are likely to offer him more now that he's proved himself to be able to put W after W in the books.
A pay increase would likely go a long way in helping convince Hoke to stay with his alma mater and continue to bring Ball State victories.
Offensive coordinator Stan Parrish has contributed hugely to the Cardinals' success as well. He has recruited many of the offensive playmakers Ball State fans love, like quarterback Nate Davis.
He needs some extra compensation from the university as well.
Ball State also needs to keep a tight leash on the football team's schedule.
This season's relatively low strength of schedule meant the Cardinals walked off the field with big wins, but it also hurts them when it comes to bowl consideration.
While signing Ball State up to play only the best schools in the country would be a mistake, giving the football team only easy wins would also be bad. To gain true respect from poll voters and BCS committees, a team needs both wins and a tough schedule.
When making future schedules, the university needs to be sure Ball State will play some schools it can beat and some that might mount a real challenge.
The 2009 non-conference schedule does a good job of finding this balance, with potential easy wins against the University of North Texas and Army and a challenging road game against Auburn University.
Maybe some of the $800,000 the Auburn game brings in could go toward keeping Hoke and Parrish in Muncie.
That is how the fantastic program that ruled Scheumann Stadium this year could grow into one that continues to impress for years to come.
This season's success has been a great marketing tool for the university, and a legacy of successful seasons would be even better.
Cheers to the team that has made Cardinal fans so proud this year.
Keep those wins coming.
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