Ball State Athletics Channels Competitive Spirit into One Ball State Day

Athletics teams across Ball State rally alumni and donors during One Ball State Day, using friendly competition and engagement to expand support for student-athletes.

On One Ball State Day this April 1, Ball State Athletics will undoubtedly bring the same edge it shows in competition to the University’s annual 24-hour fundraising event.

Over the last five years, Ball State Athletics has increased its annual amount of donations by 390 percent. In that same timeframe, the department has received 9,247 gifts, including a record 1,844 donations in 2025.

“When we look at One Ball State Day, we talk about how we provide an opportunity for so many people to be able to be part of our program, and more people that we can reach,” gymnastics coach Joanna Saleem said. “Every little contribution obviously helps, but also that engagement—that’s the part that we try to embrace.”

That engagement is amplified by a simple motivator: a de facto scoreboard that updates online in real time. For teams used to chasing goals, seeing donor totals climb online at oneballstate.bsu.edu—and watching where they land on the leaderboard—adds energy to the day.

“Internally, we ask our team, ‘Can we have more donors than some of the other teams?’ and ‘Where do you guys want to see yourself on the leaderboard?’” Coach Saleem said. “We have a pretty competitive group, so it’s fun when you can be competitive within your own department because, in this case, we’re all winning.” Men’s golf coach Mike Fleck, ’98, sees the competitive element differently. For his program, the challenge is less about other teams and more about alumni reconnecting with one another and rallying around the Cardinals.

“The competition for us is internal with our alumni, and it happens organically with different members stepping up and challenging former teammates to support the program,” he said. “All of our generous donations allow our student-athletes to experience what it is like to compete at the highest level of Division I golf.”

Regardless of the arena—on the field or online—One Ball State Day gives Ball State’s athletics programs a shared way to build momentum together.

“Donor and alumni engagement is vital in the ability to continue to move our programs forward,” Coach Fleck said. “It allows us to create unique opportunities to do things that enhance the student-athlete experience.”