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Ball State mourns passing of ‘Voice of the Cardinals’

(image courtesy of Ball State Athletics)

MUNCIE, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) — The Muncie and Ball State University communities are mourning the loss of the longtime voice of Ball State Athletics. Morry Mannies, who provided the radio play-by-play for thousands of Ball State and high school football and basketball games, has died at the age of 81.

The university says Mannies’ career began in 1956 during his freshman year. He retired in 2012 after calling more than 5,500 games.

“This truly is a sad day not just for Ball State Athletics, but Ball State University,” said Ball State Director of Athletics Beth Goetz. “Morry’s passion and dedication to Ball State were unmatched. His broadcasts had a way of tying everyone from students, alumni, faculty and staff, parents and community members together. Our condolences go out to the Mannies family.”

During his tenure behind the microphone, Mannies called seven bowl trips for Ball State football, and seven NCAA Men’s basketball tournament appearances, according to the university. 

Mannies has been inducted into numerous halls of fame, including Ball State Athletics (1985), Delaware County (1986), Mid-American Conference (1996), Indiana Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association (2002), Indiana Basketball (2002) and the Indiana Broadcasters Association (2009). He is also a three-time winner of the Indiana Sportscaster of the Year Award.

At the university, Mannies received the Ball State Alumni Association’s Beneficence Award in 1985 and the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2005. 

The university says funeral arrangements are pending with Meek’s Mortuary in Muncie.