This is a list of notable alumni of Ball State University.
Arts, literature, and entertainment Christine Barger, actress Ellen Bryan, television personality and Miss Ohio 2011 Claire Buffie, photographer and Miss New York 2010 Angelin Chang, educator and lawyer Frances Currey (1925–2012), artist India Cruse-Griffin, artist and educator Jim Davis, cartoonist, screenwriter, and producer; best known as the creator of Garfield Philip F. Deaver (1946–2018), writer and poet who graduated from St. Joseph's College in 1968; O. Henry and Flannery O'Connor awards winner Andy Devine (1905–1977), actor Joyce DeWitt, actress Ashley C. Ford, writer, podcaster, and educator Danny Gaither (1938–2001), gospel singer; best known for his work with the Bill Gaither Trio Stedman Graham, publicist and author; long-time companion of Oprah Winfrey Scott Halberstadt, retired actor Malina Simone Jeffers, community organizer and co-founder of Ganggang Doug Jones, actor David Letterman, television host, comedian, writer, and producer; The Letterman Foundation for Courtesy and Grooming has been a repeated contributor to the university Mike Lopresti, national sportswriter for Gannett News Service Cheryl Anne Lorance, artist David Loughery (1953–2024), screenwriter and film producer Ess McKee, artist Larry Monroe (1942–2014), radio personality Anthony Montgomery, actor and graphic novelist Sister Edith Pfau (1915–2001), painter, sculptor, and art educator Sam Smith, sportswriter Israel Solomon, artist Kim Sun-a (김선아), South Korean actress Tiara Thomas, R&B singer Nelly Vuksic, Argentine conductor and musician Bill Wallace, martial artist, former professional kickboxer, and actor Cynda Williams, actress
Business Angela Ahrendts, British-American businesswoman Brian Gallagher, nonprofit executive Craig W. Hartman, honorary doctorate, architect and design partner at SOM Peter Jubeck (1936–2003), businessman Kent C. Nelson (1937–2023), businessman John Schnatter, founder and former chairman of Papa John's
Politics and government Amanda Carpenter, author, political advisor, and speechwriter Christopher M. Goff, justice, Indiana Supreme Court (2017–present)https://www.in.gov/courts/supreme/justices/christopher-goff/ Jeffrey D. Feltman, diplomat Suzette Kimball, 16th director of the United States Geological Survey, a bureau of the United States Department of the Interior Brent McMillan, former national political director for the Green Party Rodney C. Moen, former Wisconsin state senator Richard Mourdock, 53rd Indiana state treasurer Frank J. Mrvan, U.S. representative for Indiana's 1st congressional district (2021– ) John Rarick (1924–2009), U.S. representative for Louisiana's 6th congressional district (1967–1975)
Sports
National Football League Blaine Bishop, former NFL player, Tennessee Titans Robert Brewster, former NFL player (offensive tackle), Dallas Cowboys Rush Brown (1954–2020), NFL player (defensive tackle), St. Louis Cardinals Timmy Brown (1937–2020), NFL player (running back/returner), Philadelphia Eagles, actor Corey Croom, former NFL player (running back), New England Patriots Jerome Davis, former NFL player, Detroit Lions Reggie Hodges, former NFL player (punter) Ed Konopasek, former NFL player (offensive tackle), Green Bay Packers Brad Maynard, former NFL player (punter) Keith McKenzie, former NFL player (linebacker and defensive end) Bernie Parmalee, former NFL player and current running backs coach for the Carolina Panthers Danny Pinter, NFL player (center), Indianapolis Colts Dante Ridgeway, former NFL player (wide receiver) Terry Schmidt, dentist and former NFL player (cornerback) Willie Snead, NFL player (wide receiver) Shafer Suggs, former NFL player
National Basketball Association Theron Smith, former NBA player (small forward) Bonzi Wells, college basketball coach and former NBA player (shooting guard/small forward)
Major League Baseball Larry Bigbie, former MLB player (outfielder) Bryan Bullington, former MLB player (pitcher) Alex Call, MLB player (outfielder) Zach Cole, MLB player (outfielder) Jeremy Hazelbaker, former MLB player (outfielder) Thomas Howard, former MLB player (outfielder) Drey Jameson MLB player (pitcher) Chayce McDermott, MLB player (pitcher) Kyle Nicolas, MLB player (pitcher) Zach Plesac, MLB player (pitcher) Merv Rettenmund (1943–2024), NFL draft pick (Dallas Cowboys), 13-year MLB player (outfielder) Brad Snyder, former MLB player (outfielder)
Other athletes Jarrod Jones, American-Hungarian basketball player, Israeli Basketball Premier League Marcus Norris, former basketball player, 2003-04 Israeli Basketball Premier League Defensive Player of the Year John Paul Sr., former racing driver and fugitive Sunungura Rusununguko, former football player, Arena Football League Apsara Sakbun, swimmer who represented Cambodia in the 2024 Summer Olympics Jamill Smith, former football player (wide receiver) Terrence Watson, American-Israeli former basketball player, Israeli Basketball Premier League
Other Arnie Ball, former men's volleyball coach at Purdue-Fort Wayne Bill Doba, football coach at Washington State University David Haugh, sports columnist for Chicago Tribune Brady Hoke, former head football coach, University of Michigan, San Diego State University and Ball State University Jon Hoke, assistant football coach with the Chicago Bears Ray McCallum, basketball coach at University of Detroit Mercy, Ball State, and University of Houston Mark Patrick, sports radio personality Kelly Sheffield, volleyball coach at Wisconsin, also coached at Albany 2001–2007 and Dayton 2008–2012 Dave Shondell, women's volleyball coach at Purdue Don Shondell, ESPN and ABC collegiate volleyball commentator Craig Skinner, women's volleyball coach at Kentucky Jason Whitlock, commentator for Fox Sports One, former sports columnist for The Kansas City Star, AOL Sports, and ESPN.com
References