Ball State to Induct Five into Athletics Hall of Fame

Joe Hernandez, Ball State University, Associate Athletics Director:

MUNCIE, Ind. -- Ball State University will induct five former student-athletes into its Athletics Hall of Fame the weekend of Feb. 5-6.

The 2009-10 induction class is Larry Bigbie (Baseball 1996-99), Jamie Broce (Men’s Golf 1994-98), LaTasha Jenkins (Women’s Track and Field 1995-99), Sally Northcroft (Field Hockey 1996-2000) and Mindy Stanley (Women’s Volleyball 1993-97).

The induction dinner, which is combined with the Cardinal Varsity Club’s Major Donor Dinner, will be Friday, Feb. 5, while the inductees will also be introduced at the Ball State men’s and women’s basketball doubleheader Saturday, Feb. 6. For additional information on the induction banquet or to purchase tickets, call the CVC Office at 765.285.4190.

Bigbie was drafted by the Major League Baseball’s Baltimore Orioles with the 21st selection in the first round of the 1999 MLB Draft. He was named to All-America second teams in 1999 by the American Baseball Coaches Association, Baseball America, the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and the Louisville Slugger NCAA Division 1 All-America committee. Bigbie was named the 1999 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year after completing his career with a Ball State school record .386 batting average. A 1998 and 1999 All-MAC First-Team selection, Bigbie was one of just four juniors in conference history to accumulate at least 200 hits. His school record 24-game hitting streak in 1999 was the third longest in MAC history and helped the Cardinals to their first MAC baseball title and a school record 42 victories.

Broce capped off his Ball State career by being named the 1998 Ben Hogan Award winner, which goes to the nation’s top men’s golf scholar-athlete. Broce managed a 3.71 cumulative grade-point average on Ball State’s 4.0 scale as a finance major plus was named the MAC’s 1999 Golfer of the Year. A two-time All-MAC First-Team selection, Broce competed in the NCAA Championships as a senior. Broce placed third at the NCAA Central Regional as a senior to advance to the national championships. He set the Ball State career record for low average, which still stands, with a 73.57.

Jenkins won the 1999 NCAA National Championship in the 200-meter dash after posting a time of 22.29 seconds -- the fourth fastest 200 time ever by a collegiate student-athlete in track and field history. She won four straight MAC titles in the 200 in her career, and finished runner up in the event at the 1998 NCAA National Championships. A four-time All-American in the 200, Jenkins was only the second female student-athlete in MAC history to win a single event four straight times. After completing her collegiate career, Jenkins was the silver medalist at the 2001 World Indoor in the 200 and won the 2001 U.S. Indoor 200 Championship. She also placed second at the 1999 and 2001 U.S. Outdoor Championships in the 200. Jenkins was the leadoff runner for the 4 X 200 U.S. Relay Team at the USA vs. The World event at the 2000 Penn Relays, and helped the U.S. Team set a world record with a time of 1:27.46.

Northcroft capped off a brilliant Ball State field hockey career by being named the 1999-2000 Honda Award winner for field hockey and the 2000 NCAA Indiana Woman of the Year. The Honda Award recognizes the top collegiate female student-athlete in their respective sport. Northcroft was also the 1999-2000 Academic All-American Team Member of the Year and received an NCAA Today’s Top VIII Award, which honors the top eight collegiate student-athletes in the nation. In addition to maintaining a 3.58 grade-point average on Ball State’s 4.0 scale, Northcroft led the nation in goals scored as a senior with an NCAA Division I record 52. She also led the country as a senior in total points with 107 and scoring average at 5.09 per game. Northcroft helped the Cardinals to a 16th straight MAC Championship and a final national ranking of 16th in her final season. A 1998 and 1999 NCAA All-America First-Team choice, Northcroft was a two-time MAC Player of the Year and four time All-MAC First-Team selection.

Stanley’s senior season was highlighted by selection as the female recipient of the 1996 Woody Hayes National Scholar-Athlete Award from all NCAA divisions. Stanley helped the Cardinals to three MAC Championships, three MAC Tournament Championships and three NCAA berths during her four year career. A two-time All-MAC First-Team choice, Stanley helped the Cardinals to a 94-32 record during her career. A 1996 Academic All-America Third Team selection, she maintained a 3.945 grade-point average on Ball State’s 4.0 scale as an actuarial science major. Stanley completed her career as the only player in school history to put her name on each of the Ball State 21 career top-20 lists.