Ball State opens new performance center for student-athletes

MUNCIE — Ball State officially opened its new Eric Foss Championship Performance Center on October 22, completing a $7.8 million project supported by alumni giving and university investment. The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the first time guests were allowed inside the 11,000-square-foot facility, designed to accommodate over 350 student-athletes across Ball State’s 18 Division 1 sports.

The center was funded through a $4 million gift from Eric Foss, an alumnus of Ball State, and additional donations from other supporters.

Athletic Director Jeff Mitchell expressed gratitude to attendees and highlighted the significance of the facility, stating that the university now has a dedicated space for celebrating impactful training and fostering perseverance in student-athletes as they strive for excellence. Eric Foss, a 1980 Ball State graduate and the executive chairman and CEO of Primo Brands Corp., served as the keynote speaker.

He emphasized his commitment to giving back to the university and investing in student-athletes’ development, beyond the realm of sports. Foss’s support for the project stemmed from his family’s charity, which prioritizes health and wellness, education, and assisting those facing hardships.

Foss described health and wellness, education, and helping those in need as priorities for his family’s charitable foundation. He reflected on how Ball State had shaped his life, enabling him to achieve success beyond his expectations during his freshman year on campus. Foss expressed pride in the center and its potential future impact on the university and its student-athletes.

Ball State President Geoffrey Mearns echoed Foss’s sentiments, noting that the gift from Eric Foss inspired additional contributions from alumni donors, making the center a reality. Mearns also emphasized the broader implications of the project, stating that it represents an investment in the entire student experience at Ball State, not just athletics. He described the facility as a stepping stone in the university’s long-term vision for its campus.