Ball State Sports Link welcomed 17 freshmen in the Class of 2028 to its program, along with two sophomores, as the University opened its 2024-205 academic year August 19.
The new members, strategically the largest incoming group in program history, bring the total number of students among all four classes to 60.
The new group also represents six states across the United States, including incoming students from Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Kansas and Florida.
In addition, Sports Link includes five student-athletes representing the sports of gymnastics, swimming, golf and track.
“Our application process has become more stringent in recent years as our application numbers have returned to levels higher than we had before the pandemic,” says Senior Director of Sports Production Chris Taylor. “It’s always exciting to see each cohort gel, not only over the course of their freshman year but four years in our program. Each group continues to find news ways to leave their mark on our program.”
2024-25 Sports Link New Members
Ashley Billingsley
Dylan Budd
Justin Burzynski
Roen Elbert
Lindsay Fuller
Ethan Gable
Isaiah Harley
Cade Johnson
Jude Kieffer
Addison King
Sam Klug
Brayden Minix
Ashlynne Owens
Cutter Shipman
LJ Shrieve
Daniel Sullivan
Olivia Warren
Drew Wilmot
Zander Woods
Admission to Sports Link and Sports Production is by competitive application and is not guaranteed. The application process includes the submission of a resume, portfolio and demonstrated examples of experience.
Students will be selected by SP faculty and students, plus Department of Media faculty. In order to provide a personal and quality educational experience, the department must limit undergraduate admission through competitive application.
Admission to the sequence is an entirely separate process from admission to the University. Ball State University does not guarantee admission to Sports Production.
To effectively evaluate the talents and abilities of students interested in Sports Production and Ball State Sports Link, students are recruited and accepted by the program’s staff.
To be considered for these programs, you must first be admitted to Ball State, so apply early to the university if you’re interested in Sports Production and Ball State Sports Link.
The students in this program are superb tenants in several of our rental properties on Ball State campus. They are hard working, kind, and very respectful! I’m sure this is a result of the great leadership of Chris Taylor who has had those same attributes since I met him in my 3rd grade classroom in my very first year as a teacher.