There were some cheers and screaming.
There were some half-naked men with their chests painted.
But all in all, the Ball State University men's volleyball team's monumental win passed into the record books relatively unnoticed.
Friday's win against the Milwaukee School of Engineering put the men's volleyball team at 1,000 wins in the program's history. Men's baseball and basketball are the only other programs at Ball State to have accomplished this feat.
The UCLA Bruins are the only other men's volleyball team in the country to have achieved the same milestone.
We're not saying the red carpet has to be rolled out and the players' feet kissed, but there should be some kind of celebration.
The team attempted to dump their water cups on head coach Joel Walton who was so opposed to the idea the men stopped in their tracks.
The Athletics Department should reward and recognize programs for achieving 1,000 wins as it would recognize a program that won a championship.
Having a good season and winning a championship is one thing, but accruing 1,000 wins in a program is also impressive. Consistency across seasons and continuing to work as a team is just as worthy of commemoration as a championship title.
We are doing a disservice to all athletes who compete at Worthen Arena by not celebrating these achievements.
In the future, a plaque, trophy or certificate should be given to the team to honor their efforts.
Instead the team received nothing. Not even Charlie Cardinal was at the game.
Individual players could also receive a certificate or memento to remember their involvement and assistance in reaching the milestone 1,000th win.
As it stands, there is no real, visible presence in Worthen Arena for 1,000-plus win teams. The Athletics Department could section off a piece of wall somewhere around the arena and use it as a dedication space to the teams that reach 1,000 wins. The commemorative area should also include the names of the players in that year.
It wouldn't need that much space because the university only has so many sports teams.
There has to be some solution.
Anything would be better than what the athletes have now, which is nothing.
No recognition. No fanfare.
Just the knowledge that the teammates contributed to something bigger than themselves.
The university must act now to remember the players on teams that have passed milestones if it hopes to continue its winning traditions.
Maybe they can get it right in 50 years when the team is going for win 2,000.
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