There's adversity, and then there's what the men's and women's basketball teams have faced the past few years.
Wednesday night the two teams were in positions to clinch first place in the Mid-American Conference West Division.
The men failed but still have a chance.
The women succeeded.
The paths both teams' players have traveled during their time at Ball State University has been filled with controversy and coaching changes. They've managed to keep going through it all and lead their teams to prestige.
Two names say it all: Ronny Thompson and Tracy Roller.
Former men's basketball head coach Ronny Thompson came in after the team's 10-18 season in 2005-06, which he followed with a 9-22 season in 2006-07.
Thompson bailed on Ball State after one of the five years of his contract was completed. He filed a lawsuit claiming he worked in a racially charged atmosphere. The university in the end paid him $200,000 and both parties deny liability for the incident.
Billy Taylor entered his first year amid the Thompson fallout and led the team to a 6-24 season in 2007-08.
Given its history, nobody would have expected the team to be a contender to clinch the Mid-American Conference West Division Wednesday night.
But it was.
The team didn't win, but the point is it was there with its now 13-15 record.
Now it is tied for first, yet again, with the Western Michigan University Broncos.
The men's team can still win the division, which is an accomplishment in itself.
The Ball State women's basketball team has had two coaching changes in the last two years.
Roller led the women's basketball team for seven years and left mid-way through the 2007-08 season for medical reasons. Under her leadership the team was 118-73, which made Roller the winningest coach in the program's history.
Interim head coach Lisa McDonald led the team to a 15-15 season during Roller's absence in 2007-08. This season, first-year head coach Kelly Packard has led the team to a stellar 20-8 record and first place in the MAC West.
The players on these teams have come a long way in a short period of time. They have carried their teams out of controversy and into the limelight.
The MAC Tournament is during Spring Break, and both teams have earned the right to walk onto the court with their heads held high.
Despite whatever turmoil strikes the Athletics Department, one thing remains: student-athletes with a desire to play and prove their worth.
Congratulations, you've earned it.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
