List of Ball State University alumni

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This is a list of notable alumni of Ball State University.

Arts, literature, and entertainment

• Christine Barger, actress^[1]
• Bridget Bobel, Miss Indiana USA 2006^[2]
• Ellen Bryan, television personality and Miss Ohio 2011^[3]
• Claire Buffie, photographer and Miss New York 2010^[4]
• Angelin Chang, educator and lawyer^[5]
• Brian Collins, reporter at KXXV-TV in Waco, Texas; best known for "Boom goes the dynamite" viral video^[6]
• Frances Currey (1925–2012), artist^[7]
• India Cruse-Griffin, artist and educator^[8]
• Jim Davis, cartoonist, screenwriter, and producer; best known as the creator of Garfield^[9]
• 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^[10]
• Joyce DeWitt, actress^[11]
• Ashley C. Ford, writer, podcaster, and educator^[12]
• Danny Gaither (1938–2001), gospel singer; best known for his work with the Bill Gaither Trio^[13]
• Stedman Graham, publicist and author; long-time companion of Oprah Winfrey^[14]
• Scott Halberstadt, retired actor^[15]
• Malina Simone Jeffers, community organizer and co-founder of Ganggang^[16]
• Doug Jones, actor^[17]
• David Letterman, television host, comedian, writer, and producer; The Letterman Foundation for Courtesy and Grooming has been a repeated contributor to the university^[18]
• Mike Lopresti, national sportswriter for Gannett News Service^[19]
• Cheryl Anne Lorance, artist^[20]
• David Loughery (1953–2024), screenwriter and film producer^[21]
• Ess McKee, artist^[22]
• Larry Monroe (1942–2014), radio personality^[23]
• Anthony Montgomery, actor and graphic novelist^[24]
• Sister Edith Pfau (1915–2001), painter, sculptor, and art educator^[25]
• Sam Smith, sportswriter^[26]
• Israel Solomon, artist^[27]
• Kim Sun-a (김선아), South Korean actress^[28]
• Tiara Thomas, R&B singer^[29]
• Kevin James Thornton, comedian; best known for Comedy Special “Be Yourself”^[30]
• Nelly Vuksic, Argentine conductor and musician^[31]
• Bill Wallace, martial artist, former professional kickboxer, and actor^[32]
• Cynda Williams, actress^[33]
• Ryan Woodle, actor^[34]

Business

• Angela Ahrendts, British-American businesswoman^[35]
• Brian Gallagher, nonprofit executive^[36]
• Craig W. Hartman, honorary doctorate, architect and design partner at SOM^[37]
• Peter Jubeck (1936–2003), businessman^[38]
• Kent C. Nelson (1937–2023), businessman^[39]
• John Schnatter, founder and former chairman of Papa John's^[39]

Politics and government

• Amanda Carpenter, author, political advisor, and speechwriter^[40]
• Christopher M. Goff, Justice, Indiana Supreme Court (2017-Present)^[41]
• Jeffrey D. Feltman, diplomat^[42]
• Suzette Kimball, 16th Director of the United States Geological Survey, a bureau of the United States Department of the Interior^[43]
• Brent McMillan, former national political director for the Green Party^[44]
• Rodney C. Moen, former Wisconsin State Senator
• Richard Mourdock, 53rd Indiana State Treasurer^[45]
• Frank J. Mrvan, U.S. Representative for Indiana's 1st congressional district (2021– )^[46]
• John Rarick (1924–2009), U.S. Representative for Louisiana's 6th congressional district (1967–1975)^[47]

Sports

National Football League

• Blaine Bishop, former NFL player, Tennessee Titans^[48]
• Robert Brewster, former NFL player (offensive tackle), Dallas Cowboys^[49]
• Rush Brown (1954–2020), NFL player (defensive tackle), St. Louis Cardinals
• Corey Croom, former NFL player (running back), New England Patriots
• Jerome Davis, former NFL player, Detroit Lions^[50]
• Reggie Hodges, former NFL player (punter)^[51]
• Ed Konopasek, former NFL player (offensive tackle), Green Bay Packers^[52]
• Brad Maynard, former NFL player (punter)^[53]
• Keith McKenzie, former NFL player (linebacker and defensive end)^[54]
• Bernie Parmalee, former NFL player and current running backs coach for the Carolina Panthers^[55]
• Danny Pinter, NFL player (center), Indianapolis Colts^[56]
• Dante Ridgeway, former NFL player (wide receiver)^[57]
• Terry Schmidt, dentist and former NFL player (cornerback)^[58]
• Willie Snead, NFL player (wide receiver)^[59]
• Shafer Suggs, former NFL player^[60]

National Basketball Association

• Theron Smith, former NBA player (small forward)^[61]
• Bonzi Wells, college basketball coach and former NBA player (shooting guard/small forward)^[62]

Major League Baseball

• Larry Bigbie, former MLB player (outfielder)^[63]
• Bryan Bullington, former MLB player (pitcher)^[64]
• Alex Call, MLB player (outfielder)^[65]
• Jeremy Hazelbaker, former MLB player (outfielder)^[66]
• Thomas Howard, former MLB player (outfielder)^[67]
• Drey Jameson MLB player (pitcher)^[65]
• Chayce McDermott, MLB player (pitcher)^[65]
• Kyle Nicolas, MLB player (pitcher)^[65]
• Zach Plesac, MLB player (pitcher)^[65]
• Merv Rettenmund (1943–2024), NFL draft pick (Dallas Cowboys), 13-year MLB player (outfielder)^[68]
• Brad Snyder, former MLB player (outfielder)^[69]

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^{[citation needed]}
• Sunungura Rusununguko, former football player, Arena Football League
• Apsara Sakbun, swimmer who represented Cambodia in the 2024 Summer Olympics^[70]
• 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^[71]
• Bill Doba, football coach at Washington State University^[72]
• David Haugh, sports columnist for Chicago Tribune
• Brady Hoke, former head football coach, University of Michigan, San Diego State University and Ball State University^[73]
• Jon Hoke, assistant football coach with the Chicago Bears^[74]
• Ray McCallum, basketball coach at University of Detroit Mercy, Ball State, and University of Houston^[75]
• Mark Patrick, sports radio personality^[76]
• Kelly Sheffield, volleyball coach at Wisconsin, also coached at Albany 2001–2007 and Dayton 2008–2012^[77]
• Dave Shondell, women's volleyball coach at Purdue^[78]
• Don Shondell, ESPN and ABC collegiate volleyball commentator^[79]
• 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^[80]