MUNCIE, Ind. — The Ball State Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and the nation’s first digital sports production program, Ball State Sports Link, will present the university’s second annual student-athlete awards show, The Chirpies.
The awards celebration, modeled after The ESPYs, is April 11 at Emens Auditorium. Admission is free and open to the public.
Former NCAA student-athlete, 12-year NFL veteran and Super Bowl Champion with the Indianapolis Colts, Hunter Smith will headline the event.
The Hunter Smith Band‘s sophomore album, “Story,” was released in 2015 and has been embraced by independent radio and a rapidly growing loyal fan base.
Don’t expect to put the Hunter Smith Band into one genre, or music “bucket”. Part country, part rock, part pop, part alternative, all exceedingly entertaining and original. Expect energy, musicianship, and rootsy storytelling by lead singer, Smith.
In addition, actor/writer/comedian Orlando Jones will meet fans on the red carpet and on stage during the event.
Fresh off the red carpet from hosting Backstage at the Oscars, Jones most recently starred as Captain Frank Irving on the Fox hit series Sleepy Hollow.
From his unforgettable role in the classic football film The Replacements to Drumline to performing in the Broadway revival of The Wiz, Jones was handpicked by Quincy Jones to join Fox’s unforgettable sketch comedy franchise, MADtv.
Former Ball State football star and current wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints, Willie Snead, will also appear April 11.
Snead finished his first professional season in New Orleans Saints with 69 receptions for 984 yards and three touchdowns.
The Chirpies, sponsored by the Office of the President, will air live from Emens Auditorium and exclusively on ESPN 3, the ESPN app and Watch ESPN.
Ball State men’s golfer Albert Jennings and gymnast Jala Washington are this year’s hosts, with red-carpet arrivals and doors opening at 6 p.m.
Fans and students are encouraged to be seated by 6:45 pm, with the live show beginning promptly at 7 p.m.
The Chirpies will highlight the academic success of BSU’s student-athletes, while multiple awards including Female Athlete of the Year, Male Athlete of the Year, Coach of the Year, the Cardinal Caring Award and the Comeback Award will be handed out.
How To Attend:
Admission is free and open to the general public and Ball State students. Doors to Emens Auditorium open at 6 p.m. The Chirpies begin promptly at 7 p.m.
How To Watch:
Ball State Sports Link is producing The 2016 Chirpies live. The event can be watched live on ESPN 3 and through ballstatesports.com.
How To Interact:
To learn more about The Chirpies and interact during the show using #Chirpies. Follow @The_Chirpies and@bsusportslink.
Join The SL Nation:
Connect with over 21,000 other fans and get daily updates and videos with BSU’s largest social media network for BSU Sports — Ball State Sports Link.
Like SL on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BallStateSportsLink
Follow SL on Twitter and Instagram: @bsusportslink
About Ball State Sports Link and Digital Sports Production:
Ball State University became the first school in the nation to offer a degree in Digital Sports Production through the Department of Telecommunications. Digital Sports Production is an interactive learning experience combined with an immersive learning project, Ball State Sports Link.
