MUNCIE, Ind. – Ball State’s lacrosse club is fighting to build something bigger than just a season—they’re working to establish a lasting program.
After being shut down in 2019 due to COVID, the club was officially restarted last spring by co-presidents Ronan Clary and Dominic Catanzarite, but getting it off the ground hasn’t been easy.
“It took a lot of effort, a lot of marketing, trying to get guys together, getting a staff member to be our executive—it just took a lot of commitment and hard work,” said Clary. “But we’re excited about what we’ve been able to build.”
The team is now in its first full competitive season, with games scheduled against Butler, Xavier, Louisville, Western Kentucky and Bowling Green. But beyond the competition, the real challenge has been recruitment.
“We have numbers, they just don’t always show up at the same time,” said Catanzarite. “We’re really trying to grow the team this season, get more guys consistently at practice, and make sure the club is here to stay.”
Without a consistent roster, practices have been tough. Clary said their biggest issue is commitment—getting players to show up regularly and pay dues so the team can afford equipment, travel and field space. Right now, they’re doing everything they can to spread the word.
“We put flyers around, make social media posts, and tell guys to bring their friends,” Clary said. “It’s mostly word-of-mouth at this point.”
For players like Brady Taylor, who played in high school, the club has been a welcome return to the sport.
“I wasn’t sure I’d have time to play, but once I came out, I realized how much I missed it,” Taylor said. “Even if you don’t have experience, it’s really easy to pick up, and we have extra gear. Just come out and hang with us.”
The team hopes that with more exposure and continued dedication, they’ll be able to host more home games in the future instead of always traveling.
“Right now, clubs don’t really want to come to us because we’re new,” Clary explained. “We’re proving ourselves this year, so hopefully by next season, we’ll get more games at home.”
For now, the focus is on building. Catanzarite and Clary want to leave behind a team that will last long after they graduate.
“We’re trying to grow the sport in the Midwest, and we want Ball State’s lacrosse team to be something that keeps going,” Catanzarite said. “If you love the sport—or even if you’ve never played—come out and give it a shot.”
With the foundation set, the Ball State Lacrosse Club is determined to make its mark, not just this season but for years to come. Their next step? Taking the field and proving that this new program is here to stay.
Contact Jacksen White with comments at jacksen.white@bsu.edu.
