The intrastate rivalry in Div. I golf will get a little bigger this season as Valparaiso University added both a men's and women's golf team. Though Valparaiso is not in the same conference as Ball State University, it can still pose a threat to the team.
Ball State women's golf coach Katherine Mowat said Valparaiso's addition will have an affect on her recruiting. She said some players find new programs a good option.
"There is a definite appeal to a new team," Mowat said. "You don't have to pay your dues when you come in and you can make an impact right away. There is also the historic aspect. You are the first team and you get to be a part of that history."
To counter that appeal, Mowat said, if a possible recruit were looking at both Ball State and Valparaiso, she would show the recruit what Ball State offers beyond the golf course.
"I would stress the campus life and strong academics here at Ball State," Mowat said. "I would show them all the new buildings on campus. We also have a good support for all of our student-athletes."
Mowat said she was a member of the first women's golf team at the University of Louisville in 1999. In her second year at Louisville, Mowat helped the Cardinals reach the NCAA Regional, the second team in NCAA history to reach the regional in their second year.
Mowat said for a team to be that successful that quickly requires good recruiting by the coach, but that there are quite a few programs that do well quickly.
Valparaiso is not the only school to add golf recently. In the past 10 years, 61 Div. I schools have added women's golf, bringing the total to 228 schools that currently have golf. Since 1981, the number has risen from 83 schools. For men's golf, only seven new teams have been added in the past decade and only 22 since 1981.
Ball State established their women's program in 1976, but disbanded it in 1982. It was reinstated for the 2001 season. The men's program was established in 1949.Mowat said she is excited about Valparaiso and other universities starting women's golf programs.
"I think it's great," Mowat said. "I'm thrilled anytime I hear a new team is being added. There have been a greater number of females playing golf in the past decade. When these girls see there are more opportunities, it only helps the sport advance further."
Last year, the University of Akron added women's golf. Mowat said the addition didn't hurt her recruiting because most of her recruits are from Indiana. She said that she did appreciate the increasing level of competition within the Mid-American Conference.
Neither Ball State or Valparaiso have released their schedules for the upcoming season, so it is still not clear whether the two teams will see each other in competition this season.
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