Discover the Unbelievable: Top 6 Fun Facts About Ball State University You Need to Know!

1. Frog Baby Film Festival

What do you get when you mix four legs, aquatic ambitions, and the silver screen? A hopping good time at Ball State University: The Frog Baby Film Festival is a student-run event that showcases films made by Ball State students, with faculty-judged screenings and a tad(load) of competitive camaraderie.
Source => ballstatedaily.com

2. Geothermal Energy System

Who needs to dig for coal when you can drill for heat? Ball State University is putting the "ground" in "groundbreaking" by revolutionizing climate control: they have constructed the nation's largest ground-source, closed-loop district geothermal energy system, heating and cooling 47 buildings while reducing reliance on aging coal-fired boilers. This ingenious system shaves a cool $2 million off their annual savings and gives Mother Nature a well-deserved breather, as their campus carbon footprint is nearly halved.
Source => bsu.edu

Did you know the term "Hoosier" was once an insult, but Indiana's residents turned it into a symbol of pride? Discover how they embraced this nickname and its impact on their culture!

=> Fun Facts about Indiana

3. Homecoming Bed Race

Forget breakfast in bed—Ball State University prefers racing in bed: Since 1980, their Homecoming festivities have featured an annual Bed Race where teams of five dash down a 100-yard course with four members pushing a bed while the fifth person (hopefully a light sleeper) rides on top, competing against the clock with plaques and trophies awarded to division winners and the team with the best costume.
Source => bsu.edu

4. David Letterman's Cardinal Roots

Long before late-night banter took flight, David Letterman was orchestrating "Breaking Fake News" with a cardinal twist: At Ball State University's radio station in 1965, young Letterman played bizarre tunes and fabricated news stories, forming the roots of his chuckle-filled career as a talk show host, all while sporting the crimson feathers of his beloved Ball State Cardinals, AKA "the fiercest robin-sized bird in the animal kingdom." An alumnus with gusto, Letterman perpetuates the Cardinal spirit with his generous donations to the university's programs.
Source => bsu.edu

5. Campus Archaeology Adventures

Who said archaeology is a thing of the past? Ball State University is digging up some Indiana Jones-worthy adventures right on campus! No bullwhip needed, just an appetite for discovery: The Applied Anthropology Laboratories, housed in the Burkhardt Building, provides cultural resource services and research opportunities for both students and professionals interested in uncovering the past. Give them a call at 765-285-5328 to get your hands dirty in archaeological research.
Source => bsu.edu

6. Charlie Cardinal's Makeover

From paper-mache fashion disasters to sleek, feathers-on-fleek makeovers: since 1969, Charlie Cardinal, Ball State University's mascot, has undergone five costume changes, with each iteration boosting his visual appeal and mobility, culminating in a more comfortable and maneuverable suit with a smaller talon for increased agility.
Source => ballstatesports.com