MUNCIE, Ind. -- The members of the Ball State women's golf team never knew Army Staff Sergeant Kevin M. Pape. They weren't even yet teenagers when he gave the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan in 2010.
Until recently, they had no idea the Fort Wayne native made six tours of duty or was awarded a Bronze Star Medal for Valor and a Purple Heart. Yet SSG Pape's memory is something the Cardinals will now literally carry with them throughout this entire season.
As they do each year, the Ball State golfers all carry their clubs in team bags with their names nicely embroidered on the front pocket.