Bloomington North Graduate Ray Leonard among those Selected for the Ball State University Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2025 Ball State Athletics announced the newest members to its Athletics Hall of Fame which includes Bloomington North Graduate Ray Leonard. The 2025 induction class includes a highly decorated men’s volleyball team, a seven-time Mid-American Conference (MAC) champion in track & field, two standout golfers, a four-time first team All-MAC men’s tennis player and a long-time National Football League (NFL) veteran. The six-member class features the 1995 Ball State men’s volleyball team, Tameka Borders (Track & Field), Jenna Hague (Women’s Golf), Tyler Merkel (Men’s Golf), Ray Leonard (Men’s Tennis) and Willie Snead (Football). Each of the honorees will be inducted during an Oct. 3 induction ceremony at the Ball State Alumni Center.
Ray Leonard, Men’s Tennis- This No. 1 singles player helped the Cardinals win back-to-back Mid-American Conference titles in 2013 and 2014. In 2014, Leonard helped Ball State earn its seventh MAC tourney title after posting a straight set victory on the top court against Buffalo’s Damien David. Leonard’s win helped the Cardinals claim the championship and its eighth birth to the NCAA Tournament. Leonard, a four-time first team All-MAC selection, also won the prestigious Jack Vredevelt Sportsmanship Award from the league office. He was named MAC Tennis Player of the Week five times during his career.
1995 Ball State Men’s Volleyball Team- The 1995 Ball State men’s volleyball team remains one of the most successful in program history, finishing the season with a 25-9 overall record and ranked fifth in the final USA Today/AVCA Coaches Poll. The Cardinals also claimed both the 1995 Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) regular season and tournament titles, including a 10-2 record in MIVA play. Over the course of the season, the Cardinals beat all four teams which finished the season ahead of them in the final national rankings: No. 1 UCLA, No. 2 Hawai’i, No. 3 Penn State and No. 4 UC Santa Barbara. One of only two teams in program history to own a win over UCLA, with the 2008 squad being the other, the Cardinals lost to the Bruins in the first round of the NCAA Tournament before topping Hawai’i in the third-place match. Members of the squad earned multiple individual recognitions starting with Todd Reimer who was named the MIVA Player of the Year. Eduardo Ferraz was tabbed the MIVA Tournament Most Valuable Player (MVP), while three players earned All-MIVA first-team honors. Reimer and Ferraz were both named AVCA second team All-Americans, and then-head coach Don Shondell earned MIVA Coach of the Year accolades.
Tameka Borders, Track & Field- A seven-time Mid-American Conference champion, Borders earned the league’s Most Valuable Player honor at the 1996 MAC Indoor Championships. Borders was part of Ball State’s 1996 indoor and outdoor MAC championship teams. In 1996, Borders was an NCAA participant in the 200m dash, placing 15th out of 22 competitors. That same year she competed in the NCAA provisional qualifier meet in the 55m dash, 200m dash, triple jump and long jump. After almost 30 years, Borders remains ranked in the Ball State record books in five categories: third in the 60-meter dash (indoor), third in the 100-meter dash (outdoor), fourth in the 200-meter dash (outdoor) and fifth in the triple jump (indoor and outdoor).
Jenna Hague, Women’s Golf-Hague becomes only the second women’s golfer to be inducted into the Ball State Athletics Hall of Fame. Hague made an immediate impact on the team earning both Mid-American Conference Championship medalist honors and second-team All-MAC accolades as a true freshman. Hague was a 10-time MAC Golfer of Week recipient who became only the second player in program history to be selected for an NCAA regional and the second to be named to the All-MAC first team twice, joining fellow Hall of Fame inductee Brittany Kelly (2007-11) in both categories. Hague earned six career titles over her four-year tenure at Ball State. She set Ball State records for single-season scoring average (74.34), 18-hole score (66) and 54-hole score (214), all during her junior season. She graduated with the second-best career stroke average in school history (77.22).
Tyler Merkel, Men’s Golf- Merkel graduated with the second-best career stroke average in Ball State history (73.99). He competed in the NCAA Championship twice, earning a regional invitation as an individual in 2012 and helping Ball State to the Nationals in 2013. A two-time PING All-Midwest Region recipient, Merkel earned All-MAC first team honors twice, All-MAC second team and MAC Co-Freshman of the Year along with being voted to the All-MAC Tournament squad. The seven-time MAC Golfer of the Week earned the MAC Medal of Excellence in 2014. He also garnered three tournament titles during his four-year career. Not only was Merkel successful on the course, but off the course registering MAC Scholar Athlete of the Week and being tabbed a Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholar in both 2013 and 2014.
Willie Snead Football-Snead, a talented wide receiver for the Cardinals, came to Ball State after graduating high school a semester early. He was a two-time All-MAC first team honoree for the Cardinals and a semifinalist for the 2013 Fred Biletnikoff Award. Snead still ranks first all-time at Ball State in receiving yards in a season (1,516), receptions (106) and touchdowns (15). He also ranks first in career games of 100 or more yards receiving with 13 and is one of only two players in Ball State history to have two 1,000-yard receiving seasons in a career. Snead is also third in the program’s record book for career receiving yards (2,991) and second in touchdowns (26). Snead was a member of back-to-back bowl teams when the Cardinals played at the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl (2012) and GoDaddy Bowl (2013). After playing three years with the Cardinals, Snead would forgo his senior season to enter the NFL draft where he spent seven years playing for the Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Ravens, Las Vegas Raiders, San Francisco 49ers and the Miami Dolphins. In 2024, Snead appeared on the Super Bowl roster for the San Francisco 49ers. He has recently retired from the NFL.
Indiana Fever’s Kelsey Mitchell Named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell has been named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for Week 3 of the 2025 WNBA season, it was announced on Tuesday. This past week, the Fever went 2-0 with Mitchell averaging 20.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG and 2.5 APG. In the team’s home victory against the Washington Mystics, Mitchell led the Fever in scoring with 24 points, while also recording three assists, two steals and two rebounds. In a win against the Chicago Sky, Mitchell led the Fever again in scoring with 17 points, recorded five rebounds, two assists and one steal. This is the third time in her career Mitchell has won Player of the Week, and her first win of the season.
Taylor Minnick Finishes at No. 16 in Softball America’s Postseason Top 100 List Indiana senior Taylor Minnick was selected as part of Softball America’s postseason Top 100 players list. Minnick was ranked No. 16 in the publication’s final player rankings for the 2025 season. She was recognized for the honor after a historic senior season. She hit .484 at the plate with 76 hits, 26 doubles, three triples, 18 home runs and 71 RBI. She also charted a 1.019 slugging percentage and a .592 on-base percentage. Minnick helped the program to its third-straight NCAA Tournament appearance for the first time in program history.
She broke a slew of program records in her senior campaign. Season batting average: .484, Career batting average: .390, Season doubles: 26, Career doubles: 61, Career home runs: 45, Season slugging percentage: 1.019, Season RBI: 71 and Career RBI: 204. Her outstanding play in her senior season earned her consensus First Team All-American honors from the NFCA, Softball America and D1Softball. She was also named First Team All-Region by the NFCA and First Team All-Big Ten.
Indiana University Football Lands Illinois Wide Receiver Kortez Rupert for 2026 The Hoosiers got another commitment on Monday afternoon, this one from three-star receiver Kortez Rupert. He announced his decision on social media. Rupert was among the group of recruits who visited Bloomington over the weekend. He had another visit lined up this coming weekend at Boston College, and his other offers included Kansas State, Kentucky, Michigan State, Oregon State, and Purdue. IU offered him a scholarship in April. At 6-foot-1 and 155 pounds, Rupert helped East St. Louis (Illinois) High win the 6A state championship last season. He was the team’s second-leading receiver, with 660 yards on 24 receptions and eight touchdowns. He’s rated a three-star recruit by 247Sports Composite. Rupert is the No. 168 wide receiver in the class of 2026, and he’s the No. 27 overall player out of Illinois in the class. Rupert is IU’s 12th commit in the class of 2026, and the first wide receiver of that bunch.
Jake Hanley named NCBWA First Team Freshman All-American After one of the best rookie campaigns in program history, the honors keep rolling in for one of the best players on the Indiana baseball team. First baseman Jake Hanley was named a First Team Freshman All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) on Monday (June 9) afternoon. He was one of 34 standout players honored by the organization. Hanley continues the prestige of freshmen to play early and often for head coach Jeff Mercer’s teams in Bloomington. Since 2019, he’s the 10th player to earn Freshman All-American honors from at least one national outlet. Over the past four seasons, IU has had eight different players earn an award.
The 6-foot-6 first baseman from Mason, Ohio led Big Ten freshmen in most offensive categories. He contributed 73 hits, 48 runs scored and 52 RBIs. His 14-home run campaign ensured that the Hoosiers have had at least one freshman hit 10+ home runs in the last four years. He also played a dynamic first base and didn’t commit a single error while starting all 56 games for the Hoosiers. Hanley – the 2025 Big Ten Freshman of the Year – was one of three IU freshmen to earn Big Ten All-Freshman team honors. Shortstop Cooper Malamazian and third baseman Will Moore joined him on the rookie team. Outfielder Hogan Denny helped give IU four different freshmen with at least 40 hits on the year.
Ownership of the Indianapolis Colts Passes to Jim Irsay’s Daughters The Indianapolis Colts announced details on the transition of team ownership from late Owner & CEO Jim Irsay to his daughters – Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt and Kalen Jackson. All three have served as Colts Vice Chair/Owner since 2012. With the transition, which was pursuant to longstanding plans set forth by Jim Irsay, the three owners will assume new roles and titles, effective immediately: Carlie Irsay-Gordon will become Owner & CEO. In this role, she will serve as the team’s principal owner, but all three sisters will share leadership duties for the club. Casey Foyt will become Owner & Executive Vice President. Kalen Jackson will become Owner & Chief Brand Officer and President of the Indianapolis Colts Foundation.
The Colts are one of the few NFL franchises under sole family ownership. In 1972, Robert Irsay, who previously had purchased the Los Angeles Rams, acquired the Baltimore Colts in a franchise trade with then-Colts owner Carroll Rosenbloom. After operating for 12 years in Baltimore, Robert moved the team to Indianapolis in 1984. When Robert passed away in 1997, his son, Jim, became sole owner. Under Jim’s tenure as owner, the Colts earned 10 division championships, won two AFC Championships and won the club’s fourth world championship with a victory in Super Bowl XLI. From 2000-09, the Colts produced 115 regular season wins, which at the time was the most in a decade for any team in the league. Jim passed away on May 21, 2025, and was laid to rest on June 2. Now, his legacy and stewardship will be carried on by his daughters:
Irsay-Gordon served 14 seasons as Vice Chair/Owner and has been involved in all aspects of the club. Raised in and around the Colts, she worked as an intern in many of the club’s departments while pursuing her undergraduate degree in religious studies from Skidmore College. Irsay-Gordon joined the team as a vice president in 2008 while completing coursework towards a doctoral degree in clinical psychology. She has represented the Colts at NFL meetings since 2004 and is active in the administration of the NFL as a member of the league’s Media Owned & Operated Committee; the 32 Equity Committee, the league’s strategic capital fund; the Security & Fan Conduct Committee, as well as several inter-club groups that guide the NFL on many wide-ranging initiatives. Irsay-Gordon also serves on the board of the NFL Player Care Foundation, which supports the wellbeing of retired players. Irsay-Gordon resides in Indianapolis with her husband, Zach Gordon, and three children.
Foyt likewise grew up in and around the Colts organization and served as Vice Chair/Owner for 14 seasons. After graduating from Indiana University with a degree in sports marketing, Foyt worked for the NFL in London, England, planning the first regular season NFL game played outside North America, as well as special events associated with the game. The contest was played in October 2007, featuring the New York Giants and Miami Dolphins playing in Wembley Stadium. Foyt joined the Colts in 2007 and focused her energy on marketing and community relations. She helped revitalize the Indianapolis Colts Women’s Organization and planned the group’s first major fundraiser in 2007. Foyt also helps represent the club at NFL meetings and other league events. Foyt resides in Carmel, Ind. with her husband, Anthony J. Foyt, IV, and five children.
Jackson also served 14 seasons as Vice Chair/Owner after joining the team in 2010. Like her sisters, Jackson grew up with the Colts organization as a significant part of her life since birth. She has overseen various functions of the organization, including coordinating the family’s community and philanthropic efforts. Jackson currently leads Kicking The Stigma, the family’s initiative to raise awareness about mental health disorders and end the stigma associated with these illnesses. Jackson serves on the national board of Project Healthy Minds and locally on the board of the United Way of Central Indiana. She also is president of the Indianapolis Colts Women’s Organization. In addition, to representing the Colts at NFL Meetings, Jackson chairs the league’s Employee Benefits Committee, where she is responsible for administering club and league benefit plans. She graduated with honors in 2010 from Indiana University with a bachelor’s degree in sports management and marketing. Jackson was born and resides in Indianapolis with her husband, Boyd Jackson, and their two daughters.