Dearest Ball State,
You get dirt all the time for not being Indiana University or Purdue. You don't have Little 5 or Grand Prix, and you don't qualify as a Big Ten school. And let's be honest-- you aren't in the best location ever. Muncie is basically the red-headed step child of the Indiana college communities compared to Terre Haute and Bloomington.
Obviously, Ball State, you're a bit of an underdog. Sometimes though, some of the best things are underrated. So what if you aren't a huge Big Ten school? You have plenty to be proud of.
For a smaller school, you have tons of school spirit. Before every home football game, parades of people march down Bethel to Scheumann Stadium to cheer on the Cardinals. From the stands you men and women sport the honorary cardinal hand sign to cheer on the players. And with every football game comes the legendary tailgating, a sport that every Ball State Cardinal knows how to play. Ball State might not be IU, but we sure know how to tailgate like IU.
Our other sports teams might not be as nationally recognized, but deserve as much recognition as the big guys, right? Plus we have a Quidditch team that has a pretty awesome winning streak. Who doesn't want to watch students run around on broomsticks between their legs and play a sport that has come to life out of the Harry Potter series? I sure do.
For those who want a little friendly competition, you offer intramural sports through the rec center. From flag football to battleship, students can get their game faces on. Many individuals from the Greek community take intramurals very seriously, and will have friends come cheer them on while they play. This usually turns more into a good comedy show rather than a friendly sports game.
Ball State, you also have some pretty amazing events. There's of course Welcome Week, which is basically the most exciting time of the year behind Homecoming, of course. Everyone comes back for the school year full of energy and excitement from not seeing their friends for the entire summer. And with all the craziness of Welcome Week comes some hilarious stories. Ask any Ball State student about their Welcome Week and they can probably tell you a story or two that will earn some well-deserved laughs.
Of course there's Homecoming, which has bed races, Air Jam, and for the Greeks paired events. Last year my sorority paired with the gentlemen of Delta Tau Delta. There was a waterslide and a Sloppy Twister tournament that basically a battlefield of chocolate and dessert toppings being thrown at each other. It was a blast.
There's also the awesome philanthropy events put on by the sororities and fraternities at Ball State. Your chapters throw together some amazing events that everyone can enjoy, and that raise money and awareness for many very important causes. There's obstacle courses and slip n' slides at events like Water Daze and Watermelon Bust, and then there's events like talent shows and beauty pageants such as Mr. Phinomenal and the Ms. Greek competition. Then in the spring semester, everyone Greek and non Greek gets together to raise money at Ball State's Dance Marathon. You raise thousands of dollars each year for foundations like Make A Wish.
Even the small things makes you unique, Ball State. Everyone loves decorating Frog Baby throughout the year. The connected buildings from Robert Bell to the Atrium are a lifesaver for the cold winter months. And we can't forget about the Village-- it may be small, but for everyone 21 and over, it is something to look forward to after a long week of classes and studying.
Basically, what I'm trying to say is: Ball State, you rock. Don't ever change.
