Ball State Football: A Legacy of Notable Alumni

The Ball State Cardinals football program, representing Ball State University, has a rich history within NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). Playing their home games at Scheumann Stadium in Muncie, Indiana, the Cardinals compete in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). Their overall record stands at 476-455-32, a testament to their enduring presence in college football. Originally a teacher's college, Ball State transitioned from the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) to a Small College school before joining the ranks of FBS programs. Throughout their history, the Cardinals have been guided by 17 head coaches, each contributing to the team's legacy.

Ball State's Mark on Professional Football

While based in a state known for its basketball fervor, the Ball State football program has consistently produced talented players who have made their mark in professional football. Since 1947, 35 Cardinals have played in the NFL, with 18 being selected in the NFL Draft.

Early Trailblazers

Timmy Brown holds the distinction of being Ball State's first-ever NFL Draft selection in 1959. Initially drafted by the Green Bay Packers, Brown found his stride with the Philadelphia Eagles, earning three Pro Bowl appearances. He capped off his career with a Super Bowl ring with the Baltimore Colts. Beyond the gridiron, Brown showcased his versatility as a recording artist and later as an actor, appearing in popular shows like M.A.S.H. and The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

Modern Era Standouts

More recently, several Ball State alumni have carved out successful careers in the NFL. These include:

Bernie Parmalee (Running Back)
Blaine Bishop (Defensive Back)
Keith McKenzie (Defensive End)
Brad Maynard (Punter)
Reggie Hodges (Punter)
Willie Snead IV (Wide Receiver)

Notable Ball State Alumni

Ball State University boasts a diverse and accomplished alumni network. EduRank ranks Ball State University 730th in the world, 268th in North America, and 248th in the United States based on aggregated alumni prominence. Here are some notable alumni who have excelled in various fields:

Read also: Your Guide to Ball State

Arts and Entertainment

David Letterman: An iconic figure in late-night television, Letterman hosted talk shows for 33 years, surpassing Johnny Carson as the longest-serving late-night host.
Doug Jones: A versatile actor, contortionist, and mime artist, Jones is renowned for his portrayal of non-human creatures in films like Hellboy and Pan's Labyrinth.
Joyce DeWitt: Best known for her role as Janet Wood on the sitcom Three's Company.
Jim Davis: The creator of the globally syndicated comic strip Garfield.
Kim Sun-a: A South Korean actress famous for her role in the television series My Lovely Sam Soon.
Anthony Montgomery: Known for his role as Ensign Travis Mayweather on Star Trek: Enterprise.
Timothy Brown: An actor and former American football player.
Scott Halberstadt: An American actor, He is best known for playing roles in multiple Nickelodeon shows, most notably as Eric on Drake & Josh.
Tiara Thomas: An American R&B singer, won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year for co-writing "I Can't Breathe".
Hal Rayle: An American voice actor.

Business and Entrepreneurship

Stedman Graham: An educator, author, businessman, and public speaker, also known as the partner of Oprah Winfrey.
John Schnatter: The founder of the Papa John's pizza chain.
Angela Ahrendts: Former CEO of Burberry and Senior Vice President at Apple.

Sports

Jason Whitlock: A former sports columnist and current host for Blaze Media. He played college football at Ball State.
Brady Hoke: A former American football coach.
Bonzi Wells: A former professional basketball player and current assistant coach at Georgia Tech.
Willie Snead: An American professional football wide receiver.
Bryan Bullington: A former professional baseball pitcher.
Glen Mason: A former college football player and coach.
Eric Butorac: An American retired professional tennis player.
Jeremy Hazelbaker: An American former professional baseball outfielder.
Keith Wenning: An American former professional football quarterback.
Mike Neu: An American football coach and former quarterback. He was the head coach of the Ball State Cardinals from 2016-2024.
Larry Bigbie: An American former professional baseball first baseman and outfielder.
Bernie Parmalee: An American football coach and former running back.
Brad Maynard: An American former professional football punter.

Politics and Public Service

Jennifer McCormick: An American politician and educator who served as the 44th and last Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Richard Mourdock: An American politician who served as treasurer of the state of Indiana from 2007 to 2014.
Swanee Hunt: An American writer, academic, and former diplomat.
Jeffrey D: Special Envoy for Horn of Africa, serving from April 23, 2021 to January 10, 2022.
Timothy Maude: A United States Army lieutenant general who was killed in the September 11 attacks at the Pentagon.

Journalism and Writing

Amanda Carpenter: An author, political advisor, and speechwriter.
Ashley C. Ford: An American writer, podcaster, and educator.

Top Ball State Football Players of the Past 25 Years

Selecting the best players from any program is subjective, but here's a look at some of the standouts from the Ball State football team over the past 25 years, as highlighted by IndyStar college sports editor Matthew Glenesk:

Quarterback: Nate Davis (2006-08)
Running Back: Marcus Merriweather (1999-02), Jahwan Edwards (2011-14)
Wide Receiver: Willie Snead (2011-13), Dante Ridgeway (2002-04)
Tight End: Darius Hill (2005-08)
Offensive Line: Andre Ramsey (2005-08), Robert Brewster (2005-08), Dan Gerberry (2004-08), Jordan Hansel (2010-13)
Defensive Line: Keith McKenzie (1992-95), Henry Hall (1989-92), Jonathan Newsome (2012-13)
Linebacker: Kevin Johnson (1993-94), Mark Parris (1989-92), Aaron Gralak (1994-96)
Defensive Back: Blaine Bishop (1990-92), Cory Gilliard (1993-96), Justin Beriault (2001-04), Sean Baker (2007-11)
Kicker: Ian McGarvey (2007-10)
Punter: Brad Maynard (1993-96)
Kick Returner: Jamill Smith (2010-13)

Recent NFL Draft Picks

The Cardinals have had to wait an average of five years between NFL Draft picks since 2005. Guard Robert Brewster (2009) and linebacker Jonathan Newsome (2014) were the only two picks between 2006 and 2016.

Danny Pinter: A Hometown Success Story

Danny Pinter was drafted in 2020, marking a more recent success story for Ball State in the NFL.

Drafted: 2020, fifth round, 149th overall, Indianapolis Colts

Pinter transitioned from tight end to right tackle, earning first-team all-MAC honors in 2019. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts, showcasing his talent in his home state.

Rivalries

The Ball State Cardinals have established rivalries with several teams, adding intensity and tradition to their football program. These include:

Miami RedHawks: The rivalry with Miami University is known as the "Red Bird Rivalry." The Cardinals first played the RedHawks in 1931, creating a longstanding tradition between the two schools.
Northern Illinois Huskies: Since the launch of the Bronze Stalk Trophy, Ball State and Northern Illinois have faced each other six times in football. The annual game adds another layer of competition and prestige to the Cardinals' schedule.
Indiana State Sycamores: Ball State and Indiana State compete for the Victory Bell.

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