For the past six years, Tracy Roller has said she's been trying to build a tradition for Ball State University women's basketball program. However, unless Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Tom Collins gives Roller a contract extension by March 31, Roller will no longer be the coach of the women's basketball team.
Roller's six-year deal, which went into effect April 1, 2001, is 10 days from its expiration date. Roller said the deadline snuck up on both her and the Cardinals' sports administration.
"I knew my contract was up this year, but the finality of the deadline wasn't on my radar at all," Roller said. "I've been kind of like an ostrich with my head in the sand, just getting busy and getting to work on this season. But I think now we all kind of know, [the deadline is near] and I'm sure my administration knows it."
Collins did not return numerous phone calls requesting a statement. Joe Hernandez, associate athletic director and head of external affairs, said the two sides are currently in negotiations but added it is not certain how far along they are.
According to Roller's current contract, she received $106,610 from April 1, 2006 to March 31, 2007. According to the current contract, she receives an additional $5,000 for taking the Cardinals to the women's NCAA Tournament and $2,500 for taking the Cardinals to the Women's National Invitational Tournament. Roller also receives an additional $2,000 for each win in the NCAA Tournament and an additional $1,000 for each win in the women's NIT.
According to the current contract, that incentive pay is added to the base salary the following year under contract instead of being received as a bonus. If Roller was under her current contract next season she would receive $109,110. However, under a new contract, if a deal is done, it appears that money might be lost.
Roller said the opportunity for her to be successful with the Ball State program was more important to her than the monetary figures of the contract.
"It's not about money for me," Roller said. "I'm not about money. I'm about being competitive, winning and taking care of my program."
Many fans have disapproved of Collins' previous moves regarding coaching contracts. Collins fired Cardinals' volleyball coach Randy Litchfield, though last season was his first losing record with the program in his 18 years. Collins also gave Ball State football Brady Hoke a contract extension, though Hoke hasn't had a winning season in his four years with the team.
During Monday night's women's NIT game against the University of Kentucky a Cardinals fan held up a lime-green sign with black lettering that read, "Hey T.C. Do your job. Give Tracy a contract. Maybe you should be fired!!"-á
When Roller took over the program, Ball State had never gone to a post-season tournament or had a 20-win season. With Roller at the helm of the Cardinals' women's basketball program, Ball State had its first three 20-win season along with its first three post-season tournament berths, all in the women's NIT.
Last year, Ball State had its best winning percentage in program history with a 24-7 record. The Cardinals also hosted their first NIT game, which ended with an 85-82 defeat to the University of Kentucky.
Roller said one of the major reasons for her success is the connections she has with both her players and the community off the court. Those emotional connections have made her content to remain with the Ball State program, Roller said.
"The Ball State community is my community," Roller said. "The Muncie city, the Muncie people, that's my people. My family's here and this team is my life. I'm very proud to be a Cardinal. I feel like this program and myself are kind of intertwined. Ball State is me and I'm Ball State. I can't imagine being anywhere else."
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