History of Ball State University in Timeline

Ball State University, located in Muncie, Indiana, is a public research university with off-campus centers in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and Fishers. Comprising seven academic colleges, it serves approximately 20,400 students, including 14,900 undergraduates and 5,500 graduate students (as of 2023). Ball State offers a comprehensive range of academic programs, featuring about 120 undergraduate majors, 130 minors, and over 100 master's, doctoral, certificate, and specialist degree options.

1920: Ball State Cardinals Men's Basketball Began

Ball State Cardinals men's basketball began in 1920.

1922: Founding of The Easterner

In 1922, The Easterner, which is now known as The Ball State Daily News, was founded as a student newspaper.

1924: Establishment of Ball State Cardinals Football

Ball State Cardinals football was established in the 1924 season.

1925: Accreditation by The Higher Learning Commission

Ball State University has been accredited by The Higher Learning Commission continuously since 1925.

1926: First Homecoming

In 1926, Ball State began the tradition of Homecoming, marking the start of several related traditions.

1937: Frog Baby statue presented by Frank Ball

In 1937, Frank Ball presented the Frog Baby statue to Ball State University. It was initially displayed in the David Owsley Museum of Art.

1937: Beneficence Statue Dedication

In 1937, the Beneficence statue, sculpted by Daniel Chester French, was dedicated on Ball State's quad to recognize the Ball brothers' generosity.

1939: First Homecoming Parade

In 1939, the first Homecoming Parade was held at Ball State. The parade started at Muncie Central High School and ended on campus.

1975: Bracken Library Completion

In 1975, Bracken Library, the university's main library, was completed, housing classrooms, computer labs, and study suites.

1980: Inaugural Homecoming Bed Race

Since the inaugural event in 1980, the Homecoming Bed Race has been held the Friday before homecoming. The annual event consists of five-person teams racing beds down a 100-yard course.

1981: NCAA Tournament Appearances

Between 1981 and 2000, Ball State became a powerhouse in the Mid-American Conference, winning a record seven MAC tournaments and making subsequent appearances in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.

1988: Hall of Fame Induction

In 1988, The Ball State Daily News was among the first student publications to be inducted into the Associated Collegiate Press’ Hall of Fame.

1990: Sweet Sixteen Appearance

In 1990, Ball State reached the Sweet Sixteen but lost to UNLV, 69–67.

1992: Safe Zone Training Program

Ball State is often credited as one of the first universities in the nation to begin a Safe Zone training program, which began in 1992, to educate the public and empower LGBTQ allies and advocates.

1993: Frog Baby statue sent overseas for refurbishment

In 1993, the Frog Baby statue was sent overseas for refurbishment due to wear on its nose from students rubbing it for good luck.

2000: Last NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament Appearance

The Cardinals' last NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament appearance was in 2000.

2001: Establishment of CAP: INDY

Since 2001, the Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning has operated a satellite facility in Indianapolis, known as CAP: INDY, housing the Center for Civic Design and providing interdisciplinary studio space.

2004: "Chirp! Chirp!" adopted as school chant

In 2004, Ball State students adopted "Chirp! Chirp!" as a school chant during sporting events, traditionally used during the opposing team's third down at football games.

2006: College Curling National Bonspiel

In 2006, Ball State formed a short-lived curling team that competed in the College Curling National Bonspiel in Chicago, Illinois.

2007: LEED Certification

Since 2007, 13 campus buildings have achieved LEED certification, marking a commitment to sustainable building practices.

2009: Ball State Sports Link Launch

Ball State Sports Link started in 2009 as one of the university's immersive learning projects, covering athletics and creating various media content.

2009: Geothermal Energy Project Announcement

In 2009, then-president Jo Ann Gora announced the university's plans for installing the largest geothermal energy project of its kind in the U.S., marking a commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

2011: Sustainability Report Card Grade

In 2011, the Sustainable Endowments Institute gave the university a College Sustainability Report Card grade of "C+".

2011: First Green Roof Installation

In 2011, the university's first green roof was installed on the North District Energy Station, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability.

2011: University Libraries Visits

Over 1.1 million visits were made throughout the University Libraries system between 2011 and 2012.

2012: 75th Anniversary of the Homecoming Parade

In 2012, the 75th anniversary of the Homecoming Parade saw over 100 float entries.

2012: University Libraries Visits

Over 1.1 million visits were made throughout the University Libraries system between 2011 and 2012.

2013: James Whitford Head Coach

James Whitford became head coach of Ball State men's basketball in 2013.

2015: Botsford/Swinford Halls Renovation

In 2015, Botsford/Swinford Halls were renovated as part of a move toward contemporary architecture featuring open atriums, large windows, and sustainable design elements.

2015: Establishment of the Fishers Center

In 2015, the Fishers Center for Academic and Economic Innovation was established in Fishers, Indiana, offering academic programs, community engagement, and professional development.

2016: Insight into Diversity Award

Since 2016, Insight into Diversity has awarded Ball State a Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) award every year.

2016: Mike Neu Head Coach

Since 2016, Mike Neu is the current head coach of the Ball State Cardinals football team.

2017: Geothermal System Completion

In 2017, Ball State's geothermal heating and cooling system was completed, consisting of 3,600 boreholes and two energy stations on campus.

2017: Schmidt/Wilson Halls Renovation

In 2017, Schmidt/Wilson Halls were renovated, showcasing contemporary architecture with open atriums, large windows, and sustainable design elements.

2017: LaFollette Complex Demolition

In 2017, the LaFollette Complex, which had previously contained about 1,900 students, began undergoing demolition.

2017: Removal of the "Gum Tree"

In 2017, the university removed the "Gum Tree," a honey locust covered in chewed gum, in preparation for construction of the East Mall.

2018: Beth Goetz Named Director of Athletics

In 2018, Beth Goetz was named as the director of athletics, proceeding Mark Sandy, making her Ball State's second female director of athletics.

2019: Admission Statistics

In 2019, Ball State University admitted 77 percent of applicants.

2019: CAP: INDY Center Relocation

In 2019, the Center for Civic Design, part of CAP: INDY, moved to the Elevator Hill section of Indianapolis' Holy Cross neighborhood, occupying the Glass Building at 25 N. Pine St.

2019: Health Professions Building Completion

In 2019, the Health Professions Building was completed, embracing contemporary architecture with open atriums, large windows, and sustainable design.

October 2020: Ball State Public Media Formation

In October 2020, the university announced the formation of Ball State Public Media, a partnership between Ball State PBS (formerly WIPB) and Indiana Public Radio (WBST).

2020: Brayton/Clevenger Residence Hall Status

As of 2020, Brayton/Clevenger residence hall was the only remaining hall in the LaFollette Complex.

2020: Student Population Demographics

As of the 2020-2021 school year, Ball State University's student population primarily consisted of Indiana residents (74 percent) with 65 percent being female.

2020: Conference Championship and Bowl Game Appearance

In 2020, Ball State won a conference championship in football and appeared in a NCAA Division I postseason bowl game.

2020: Jack Beyerl Hall and North Dining Hall Completion

In 2020, both Jack Beyerl Hall and North Dining Hall were completed, featuring contemporary architectural designs with open atriums, large windows, and sustainable elements.

2020: The Princeton Review Ranking

In The Princeton Review 2020 rankings, the entrepreneurial management program ranked among the top 50 in the U.S.

2020: Class Size Statistics

In fall 2020, the average campus class size was 21 students, with a student-to-teacher ratio of 16 to 1.

January 2021: Offerpad Arizona Bowl Victory

In January 2021, Ball State defeated San Jose State, 34–13, in the Offerpad Arizona Bowl for the Cardinals' first-ever bowl victory.

2021: Student Population Demographics

As of the 2020-2021 school year, Ball State University's student population primarily consisted of Indiana residents (74 percent) with 65 percent being female.

2021: 15th Residence Hall

Ball State University operates 14 residence halls for its students, with a 15th expected to open during the 2021–2022 school year.

2021: Undergraduate and Graduate Tuition

For the 2021–2022 academic year, annual undergraduate tuition is $8,284 for in-state students and $25,518 for out-of-state students. Annual graduate tuition is $7,748 for in-state students and $21,222 for out-of-state students.

2021: U.S. News & World Report Ranking

In 2021, Ball State ranked 191st nationally on U.S. News & World Report's “Top Performers on Social Mobility” list.

2021: Foundational Sciences Building and North West Hall Completion

In 2021, the Foundational Sciences Building and North West Hall were completed, embracing contemporary architecture featuring open atriums, large windows, and sustainable design elements.

2022: 15th Residence Hall

Ball State University operates 14 residence halls for its students, with a 15th expected to open during the 2021–2022 school year.

2022: Undergraduate and Graduate Tuition

2024: Admission Statistics

In 2024, Ball State accepted 68.9% of undergraduate applicants. Enrolled students had an average 3.52 high school GPA, with an average 1180 SAT score (30% submitting scores) or average 25 ACT score (6% submitting scores).

2024: Washington Monthly Ranking

In 2024, Washington Monthly ranked Ball State 133rd among 438 national universities in the U.S. based on the university's contribution to the public good.