All of the trouble Wall Street has had this year with the economy has trickled down to the Cardinal Creek Tennis Courts on McKinley Avenue. Economic reasons played a huge factor in this year's schedule for the Ball State University's men's tennis team.
"We definitely have to tighten our belt," coach Bill Richards said. "All of the coaches are aware that things are tight and we have to be accountable for how we spend."
The Cardinals will travel to the Milwaukee Classic for a tournament on Sept. 18, and that is the farthest the team is going to travel for a match this season. The Cardinals will play almost all of their matches and tournaments in Indiana or in the four states that border it. The Milwaukee Classic, the Boise State Invitational and the Spring Break trip to play the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and Weber State University are the only exceptions.
"We have more regional teams this year and some additional home matches," Richards said. "We're not sending anyone to the All-American Tournament down in Tulsa [Okla.] like we did last year."
Last year, the Cardinals sent two players to the All-American Tournament, but any chance of sending anyone this year was scratched due to the economy. The four teams added to this year's schedule are Butler University, Illinois State University, Eastern Illinois University and the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. A road match at the University of Michigan was dropped from the schedule. Indiana State University, a regular in-state opponent, is no longer on the schedule because the school cut its men's and women's tennis programs because of the economy.
The Mid-American Conference gave Ball State a break this year in travel costs. Last year's team had to travel to Buffalo and Toledo, the two furthest universities from Muncie in the MAC. This year those matches are at home, as is the MAC Tournament in April.
"It's great to host the MAC tournament," Richards said. "It does cut down on travel expenses."
Many of the teams that Ball State will face this fall will be opponents in the dual-match season in the winter. Ball State will get the chance to scout Northerwestern University in the Milwaukee Classic before they meet again in January.
"Any time you get a look at their new players and find what their strengths and weaknesses are, it helps down the road," Richards said. "It's the same for both teams."
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