MEN'S BASKETBALL: Ball State shows uncharacteristic offensive surge

SOCCER: Michael Lovett timeline

The Ball State University athletics department announced Wednesday that it would not renew soccer coach Michael Lovett's contract for the upcoming season. Included is a look at the highlights and lowlights of the soccer team during Lovett's nearly two-year tenure as coach.

WOMEN'S SWIMMING: Ball State looks to keep winning streaks alive

If this season could be summed up in one word for Laura Seibold-Caudill, it would be goals.The women's swimming and diving coach set out a number of goals for the team this season, one of which was achieved last weekend as the Cardinals defended their title at the House of Champions meet. This weekend is another goal Seibold-Caudill has set for her team as the Cardinals hold the Douglas Coers Invitational.

FOOTBALL: Ball State loses 35-3 to Central Michigan to notch season's 10th loss

Central Michigan University was in control of Wednesday night's game from the start and defeated Ball State 35-3. Dan LeFevour had another big day at Scheumann Stadium going 25-of-28 for 344 yards and four touchdowns. He added a rushing touchdown and broke Byron Leftwich's Mid-American Conference career passing record.

BREAKING NEWS: Ball State will not renew contracts of soccer coach Lovett, field hockey coach Payne

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.

FOOTBALL: Lewis proves doubters wrong

It was probably the most memorable art class in MiQuale Lewis' life.Lewis expected to end his career at Fort Wayne Snider High School with plenty of scholarship offers to play Division I football. He had the tools required to take the next step, and the vision, the speed and the natural ability to find a hole and accelerate through it.

CHIRP: The Edge - Ball State vs. Central Michigan

The DN's football beat writer breaks down the positional battles in Wednesday night's game.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Cards lose home opener in final seconds

In the chaos there was calm for a split-second, then an eruption. Danielle Gratton had single-handedly turned the tide. Gratton positioned herself under the basket and drew a charge with just over a minute to go with the game still very much in doubt.Trailing by one, 58-59 with the ball and 1:05 on the clock, Ball State (0-2) got a great look at the basket. Senior Audrey McDonald got the ball on the left wing and put up a shot. The ball went halfway down and then popped back out.

WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL: Brandl named MAC Player of the Week

Ball State sophomore middle blocker Kelsey Brandl was named the Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Week on Monday afternoon. This marks the second time this season that Brandl has been recognized for excellence on the court.

MEN'S BASKETBALL: Cards add two recruits

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Plenty of praise for Packard's early work

In her first season running the Cardinals, Kelly Packard posted a 26-9 record, which included a 14-2 Mid-American Conference record. She also led Ball State to its first NCAA Tournament appearance and a 71-55 upset of the University of Tennessee.

FOOTBALL: Ball State to play home-and-home series with FCS-member Illinois State

Instead of paying a Football Championship Subdivision school hundreds of thousands of dollars to visit Muncie, Ball State University will play a home-and-home series with FCS-member Illinois State University beginning in 2013.Ball State will visit Illinois State on Aug. 29, 2013 to open the season and will host the return game Aug. 30, 2014. Athletics director Tom Collins said the series was good for Ball State.

WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL: Cards ready to open MAC tournament at home

It took five sets to settle it, but Ball State won the battle Saturday night in Akron, defeating the University of Akron 3-2. As fate would have it however, it's not over by a long shot. In defeating the Zips, the Cardinals earned the eight seed in the Mid-American Conference Tournament. Securing the eight seed sets up a showdown between the Cardinals and Zips at 7 p.m. tonight at Worthen Arena.

WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL: Cards win final match of season; host Zips Tuesday in Mac 1st round

With two games left in the season, destiny was on Ball State University's (14-15, 7-9) side. Win both matches and the Cardinals earn the right to host a Mid-American Conference Tournament game Tuesday night. Lose one of the two matches and things could get messy.

BASEBALL: Cards ink 7 recruits

Concerns about losing two junior starters in his infield to the MLB Draft in June led coach Greg Beals to focus on adding depth in his 2010 recruiting class.Beals said that in addition to All-Mid-American Conference second baseman Kolbrin Vitek, who is likely to be a high-round pick, shortstop T.J. Baumet could also be lost to the draft.

CROSS COUNTRY: Bishel qualifies for NCAA Championship meet

After sitting out last year with a medical redshirt, junior Ali Bishel was not about to let her shot at nationals slip away."I had already waited two years for this chance to advance to the championships," Bishel said. "I was not about to wait another year and leave with excuses."

FOOTBALL: Seniors begin to reflect on Ball State careers

Brandon Crawford and Tanner Justice may be two of the most unlikely senior starters in Ball State University history.The two will be among the 11 seniors honored before their final game at Scheumann Stadium on Wednesday against Central Michigan University.

WOMEN'S SWIMMING AND DIVING: Cards win House of Champions Invite for second year in a row

Coach Laura Seibold-Caudill said her team likes the natatorium at IUPUI. Over the course of the House of Champions Invitational over the weekend, the women's swimming and diving team made its presence known, winning the invitational by almost 200 points."We had so much depth, that's what won it for us," Seibold-Caudill said.

MEN'S SWIMMING AND DIVING: Cards finish second at IUPUI

FOOTBALL: Penalties once again cost the Cards; Lewis closes in on records

News and notes from Ball State's 26-20 loss at Northern Illinois on Thursday night.