Cleveland, Ohio – Ball State University was honored by the Mid-American Conference with the Jacoby Trophy as the top women's athletic program during the 2022-23 academic year. This marks the sixth time in program history and first time since 2003 that the Cardinals have secured the prestigious all-sports award.
 

The Cardinals competed in 12 sports during the 2022-23 campaign and won the outfoor track & field championships. The Cardinals also claimed a share of the volleyball and gymnastics regular season titles. The indoor track & field squad recorded a runner-up finish at the indoor track & field championships, while the women's soccer program finished second in the regular season standings. The women's basketball team and field hockey squad each posted third place finishes on the year. 

“We are proud to celebrate the athletic accomplishments of our talented female student-athletes who have set the standard for excellence in the MAC this season,” said Ball State Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell. “We applaud our devoted coaches and dedicated staff for establishing programs in which our student-athletes thrive.

“This award is a reflection of our commitment to a comprehensive portfolio of sport programs — to all of our student-athletes," said President Geoffrey S. Mearns. "I am proud of their success, and I am grateful to our coaches and our staff for their support.”
 
For the Reese Trophy, points are awarded based on each school’s finish, with the overall total divided by the number of sports sponsored by each school. The women’s trophy is named for former MAC Commissioner Fred Jacoby.  Jacoby was the MAC Commissioner from 1971-82 and is credited with incorporating women’s athletics into the conference structure.