Football players aren't the only student athletes who will be representing Ball State University in a renovated facility next year. Cardinal Creek Tennis Center is being renovated for the first time more than 30 years after it was originally constructed.
Ball State officials made the right decision when they allocated money from the budget to renovate a winning sport's facilities - and it's a trend that should continue in the future.
Since 1977, the men's and women's tennis teams have racked up 17 conference titles and 71 first-team All-Mid-American Conference selections with Cardinal Creek as their home court. Obviously, after so much use in winning titles over the years the court was in major need of repair. The renovations could have come earlier, but the fact that Ball State is improving the tennis courts and football stadium in the same summer is impressive.
At the college level, the big-name sports like football and basketball usually bring in all the money and, subsequently, are the first to be considered for expensive renovation and building projects. Bringing in money for the university isn't the main goal for all sports, however, and when teams perform well they should be duly rewarded. Ball State has proven that sports with consistent winning seasons are just as important as big money making sports with the tennis court renovation.
The renovation should help the tennis teams continue to succeed in other future endeavors as well. Tuesday, men's tennis coach Bill Richards announced the No. 1 player from Puerto Rico will be playing for Ball State next year. It's unlikely the new court was the sole reason the recruit decided to come to Ball State, but future recruiting efforts can use the updated facilities as a convincing selling point for the university.
In the future, Ball State officials should use the tennis court renovation as an example to follow when considering future construction projects. There are numerous other sports at Ball State that will likely need facility renovations in the future, and the teams that are consistently winning should be considered first. Teams will have more motivation to do well and bring recognition to Ball State if they know their efforts will be rewarded.
When one of the most successful sports at the university is being given money in the form of new facilities, it's a sign that Ball State officials are starting to move in the right direction.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
