Photo by: Collin Phillips/Ball State Athletics
Golf Coach Mike Fleck Adds Three-Year Contract Extension to 28-Year Tenure at Ball State
September 25, 2025 | Men's Golf
MUNCIE, Ind. – Already in his 28th season guiding the Ball State men's golf team, Cardinals coach Mike Fleck has received a three-year contract extension, ensuring his leadership of the Ball State program through the 2028-29 academic year.
Fleck earned his second Mid-American Conference Men's Golf Coach of the Year award just two years ago while guiding Ball State to a conference championship and NCAA regional appearance, and the Cardinals' current streak of three straight years among the league's top two teams is the program's best run since 1978-80.
The most decorated senior class in men's golf program history graduated last spring, but Fleck has reassembled a young unit in 2025-26 that already has toppled the school record for lowest score over a 54-hole event.
"I am thrilled that Mike Fleck will continue to lead our outstanding men's golf program," said Mitchell. "Coach Fleck represents everything that is good about intercollegiate athletics. His teams are successful on the golf course while also maintaining academic excellence. Most importantly, Coach Fleck values the development of our talented student-athletes as leaders and winners, and I am excited to watch the program continue to thrive under his leadership."
Recent men's golf graduate Ali Khan was named one of Ball State's "Top 100 Students" two years ago, and Khan's teammate, Braxton Kuntz, received the MAC's Medal of Excellence as the school's top male student-athlete last spring. The Cardinals routinely place multiple athletes on Academic All-MAC teams and All-America Scholar lists by the Golf Coaches Association of America.
A native of nearby Batesville, Indiana, Fleck played college golf at Ball State from 1988-92, beginning a nearly 40-year association with the University that has seen him compete, then coach as an assistant under Earl Yestingsmeier, and finally take the reins of the program in August 1998. Fleck and Yestingsmeier are the only head coaches over the past 64 years of Ball State's rich men's golf history. Yestingsmeier guided the program for 36 years until capably handing the program to his pupil, Fleck.
Fleck has guided the Cardinals to national postseason play on three occasions, earned a national Top 20 ranking in 2019 and won 25 career tournament championships. In addition to team appearances in the 2013 and 2024 NCAA fields, he also has coached four individual NCAA regional participants and 34 All-MAC selections.
Four Fleck-coached players have been voted the MAC's Earl Yestingsmeier Sportsmanship Award winner. More than a dozen have gone on to play professionally and still more are teaching the game professionally. Last summer, in fact, a pair of Ball State alums and Fleck-coached players competed in the prestigious PGA Championship.
"To be able to be home and coach at my alma mater going on three decades is a testament to the passion and commitment from so many," said Fleck. "Our department continues to provide the resources to maintain a nationally recognized program and with enduring alumni and donor support, we are able to offer an elite Division I experience on every level."
FIeck continued, "I want to thank President Mearns and Jeff Mitchell for the continued faith and trust in what we are doing with the men's golf program. Our goal has been simple from day one – build on the legacy Coach Yestingsmeier established and help young men make progress.
"In this day and age, it is a true blessing to be able to create and maintain what we have established. We will continue to help these young men learn, grow, develop and compete for victories and championships along the way here at Ball State University!"
Fleck earned his second Mid-American Conference Men's Golf Coach of the Year award just two years ago while guiding Ball State to a conference championship and NCAA regional appearance, and the Cardinals' current streak of three straight years among the league's top two teams is the program's best run since 1978-80.
The most decorated senior class in men's golf program history graduated last spring, but Fleck has reassembled a young unit in 2025-26 that already has toppled the school record for lowest score over a 54-hole event.
"I am thrilled that Mike Fleck will continue to lead our outstanding men's golf program," said Mitchell. "Coach Fleck represents everything that is good about intercollegiate athletics. His teams are successful on the golf course while also maintaining academic excellence. Most importantly, Coach Fleck values the development of our talented student-athletes as leaders and winners, and I am excited to watch the program continue to thrive under his leadership."
Recent men's golf graduate Ali Khan was named one of Ball State's "Top 100 Students" two years ago, and Khan's teammate, Braxton Kuntz, received the MAC's Medal of Excellence as the school's top male student-athlete last spring. The Cardinals routinely place multiple athletes on Academic All-MAC teams and All-America Scholar lists by the Golf Coaches Association of America.
A native of nearby Batesville, Indiana, Fleck played college golf at Ball State from 1988-92, beginning a nearly 40-year association with the University that has seen him compete, then coach as an assistant under Earl Yestingsmeier, and finally take the reins of the program in August 1998. Fleck and Yestingsmeier are the only head coaches over the past 64 years of Ball State's rich men's golf history. Yestingsmeier guided the program for 36 years until capably handing the program to his pupil, Fleck.
Fleck has guided the Cardinals to national postseason play on three occasions, earned a national Top 20 ranking in 2019 and won 25 career tournament championships. In addition to team appearances in the 2013 and 2024 NCAA fields, he also has coached four individual NCAA regional participants and 34 All-MAC selections.
Four Fleck-coached players have been voted the MAC's Earl Yestingsmeier Sportsmanship Award winner. More than a dozen have gone on to play professionally and still more are teaching the game professionally. Last summer, in fact, a pair of Ball State alums and Fleck-coached players competed in the prestigious PGA Championship.
"To be able to be home and coach at my alma mater going on three decades is a testament to the passion and commitment from so many," said Fleck. "Our department continues to provide the resources to maintain a nationally recognized program and with enduring alumni and donor support, we are able to offer an elite Division I experience on every level."
FIeck continued, "I want to thank President Mearns and Jeff Mitchell for the continued faith and trust in what we are doing with the men's golf program. Our goal has been simple from day one – build on the legacy Coach Yestingsmeier established and help young men make progress.
"In this day and age, it is a true blessing to be able to create and maintain what we have established. We will continue to help these young men learn, grow, develop and compete for victories and championships along the way here at Ball State University!"
Players Mentioned
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