Though Wednesday's Summer Kickoff was centered around Brady Hoke's football program, several other coaches in the Cardinals' athletic department were in attendance to offer their support.
"It's kind of the Ball State way," women's basketball coach Tracy Roller said. "We're just a big family. Brady and his staff and the football guys do a great job of supporting us. I really respect Brady a lot, and I think he's done a great job with his program, so I'm here to support him."
Most athletic departments in the NCAA encourage a supportive atmosphere. Soccer coach Michelle Salmon spent six seasons as coach of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County before her time at Ball State. She said the support Cardinals' coaches provide the other Ball State sports is a special thing to see.
"That's what separates Ball State from other universities," Salmon said. "As a soccer coach, to have a relationship with the football coach, it's very uncommon that you have that at a university. It's one of the best attributes that Ball State has and you see it in the city of Muncie too. One of the reasons I came to Ball State to coach here was the positive atmosphere amongst the coaches. Everyone wants to see everyone succeed."
Coaches aren't the only ones that build relationships with their peers. Men's basketball guard Peyton Stovall, who was in attendance representing the men's basketball team, said he's become friends with several football players during his career with the men's basketball team, including junior wide receiver Louis Johnson and senior defensive end Cortlan Booker.
"Cortlan's actually from West Lafayette, and I'm from Lafayette too, so I've got a No. 44 jersey to represent him real well," Stovall said with a laugh. "I just try to keep their spirits up so that they play hard and represent the university, and that's the same thing they do for us."
The football team is not the only program that has benefited from the stadium renovations this summer. Salmon said the construction site at Schuemann Stadium has been a must-see pit stop for her soccer recruits.
"Football's getting a new [$13.7] million stadium and that's good for the athletic department as a whole," Salmon said.
Though Hoke has received support from his peers in the Ball State athletic department, he is quick to give it back to the other Cardinal coaches.
"I think they all understand what football can mean to this university and they are a good group of people to this university who are competitive," Hoke said. "So when you're involved in that kind of aspect or game, we are going to support each other."
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
