Each year, the Mid-American Conference awards two athletes, one male and one female, from the graduating classes of each of its member institutions the Medal of Excellence.
This year, Ball State was represented by junior baseball player Alex Call and junior women's basketball player Shelby Merder.
The Medal of Excellence, said MAC Commissioner Jon A. Steinbrecher at the awards ceremony in Cleveland Wednesday, to athletes that exhibit "excellence in academics, athletics, leadership and service."
2016 MAC Medal of Excellence winners
Akron -- Andrew Sounders (men’s soccer); Hannah Raspopovich (women’s swimming & diving)
Central Michigan -- Ryan Heeke (baseball); Breanne Lesnar (women’s cross country/track & field)
Eastern Michigan -- Andrew Henry (men’s swimming & diving); Julia Lombardi (women’s soccer)
Kent State -- Jordan Italiano (football); Roseanne Erickson (women’s track & field)
Miami -- Jacob Prodoehl (men’s swimming & diving); Kathie Wollney (women’s track & field)
Toledo -- John Martillota (baseball); Samantha Richart (women’s swimming & diving)
Call was recently named MAC Baseball Player of the Year after leading the MAC with 87 hits, 67 runs, 24 doubles, 6 triples, 162 total bases, and a .