The Ball State University athletics department Wednesday evening announced that the contracts of soccer coach Mike Lovett and field hockey coach Annette Payne will not be renewed.
The contracts of soccer assistant coach Amber Alexander and field hockey assistant coach Liz Sanders will also not be renewed.
"Part of my job is to make sure our student-athletes have a good experience here, and a good experience here being successful not only academically, but also athletically," Ball State athletics director Tom Collins said. "With those two coaches, we felt as if we needed to make some changes to get some new leadership in there and head those programs in the right direction."
Lovett was 13-23-2 (7-13-2 Mid-American Conference) in his two seasons at the helm of the program. He took over the team prior to the 2008-09 season and missed the MAC Tournament by posting a 4-13-1 (2-8-1 MAC) record in 2009-10.
Payne, who coached the team for seven seasons, was 35-96 (24-46 MAC) in her Ball State career, including the last two seasons in which the Cardinals posted a 6-31 (3-17 MAC) overall record.
Lovett and Payne are yet to return calls from The Ball State Daily News. Matt McCollester, assistant director of media relations for the athletics department, said players would not be made available for comment on the coaching situation.
Continue checking bsudailynews.com for updates. For complete coverage, read Thursday's print edition of The Ball State Daily News.
Read More
Top-seeded Cardinals’ postseason run ends with upset loss to Lindenwood
By Adam Altobella / 7 hours agoNo. 10 Ball State was upset by No. 18 Lindenwood in a five-set battle (25-20, 21-25, 25-23, 19-25, 11-15) on the Cardinals’ home court Thursday night. With how scarce at-large bids to the NCAA men’s volleyball tournament are, it is likely that the red and white’s 2024 campaign is over.
Current Ball State LGBTQ+ athletes share their stories about being out on the athletic stage
By Caleb Zuver and Elijah Poe / 19 hours agoWhether it be members of the women’s basketball, men’s volleyball teams or any other, Ball State athletics is continuing to grow its LGBTQ+ community.
Past Ball State athletes and staff reflect about the progression of acceptance for LGBTQ+ athletics, as well as navigating their own struggles
By Kyle Smedley , Caleb Zuver and Elijah Poe / 21 hours agoBeing a member of the LGBTQ+ community comes with peaks and valleys, especially for these former Ball State athletes and staff.
