Ball State University Athletics

Ball State competes in NCAA Division I, meaning the Cardinals play at the highest collegiate level with full athletic scholarships and serious competition. The university offers 17 varsity sports and awards $8.4 million in athletic scholarships annually. With 459 total athletes among 13,770 students, about 3.3% of the campus participates in varsity athletics. The Cardinals compete in the Mid-American Conference, where they face regional rivals like Central Michigan and Toledo. Ball State basketball has produced several NBA players and regularly competes for MAC championships. The football program plays at Scheumann Stadium and has had periods of success in the MAC. David Letterman, the university's most famous alum, often jokes about Cardinal athletics on television, giving the program national recognition beyond its modest Muncie setting.