Women's Softball Win Streak Ends at 61

On May 4, the Ballard Women's Softball Team winning streak cam to an end with a 6-4 loss to Great Crossings. Total wins recorded were 61 straight, topping the old state record of 46. Congrats Lady Bruins!

Ballard Commemorative Bricks Make Great Gifts for Your Ballard Graduate

We still have lots of spaces available for commemorative bricks at the entrance to Pat Crawford Stadium. Now that the football stadium has been completed, the Alumni Association is looking to raise money for other projects. Two on our priority list now are a renovation of the Sandy Allen Performing Arts Center and the construction of a field house for girls field hockey and lacrosse. We also have numerous requests to underwrite scholarships for expenses such as college testing, field trips and other tools to enhance students' educational experience.

We are reopening orders now for commemorative bricks to help underwrite these projects. For $250, you can customize a brick for your favorite graduate and help current students get the most out of their Ballard experience.

If you'd like to participate, order online at www.thatsmybrick.com/ballardalumni. For more information, contact Tony Waits.

Choir Alumni! Come Join a Celebration Concert for Mr. Weaver on June 10

Jeannie Lovett Barrick, Class of 1998, wants to invite all choir alumni to join in a concert celebrating Mr. Noel Weaver teaching career at Ballard. Many have noted that his retirement caught them by surprise, and they would like to honor him more fully.

The concert will take place at the Sandy Allen Fine Arts Center on June 10 at 2pm. Participants will sing a commissioned piece funded by alumni as well as many favorite pieces sung by the Ballard Choir over the years.

Rehearsal will take place on the morning of June 10, and a reception will follow the 2pm concert in the Fine Arts Center lobby.

Tickets to participate are available for $35 per person. To make a reservation, click the box below. For more information, click on Jeannie Lovett Barrick.

The Graduation Party Committee is Looking for Your Input

The parents of graduating seniors are working on the details for a memorable and safe graduation party for the night of June 2-3.

They are also looking for door prizes to give away. If you have a small gift you would like to contribute, click on Becky Shumway and let her know.

Finally, they are looking for parents or alumni to volunteer as chaperones for the evening. If you're a night owl who enjoys a fun night with teens, you can click on Becky's name above and let her know. Thanks very much for your help!

Former Ballard Basketball Coach Richard Schmidt Retires from the University of Tampa

Ballard's first boys basketball coach Richard Schmidt recently retired from a 40-year run as head coach at the University of Tampa. Shown here at the stadium dedication in 2021 with his wife Mary Jo, Coach Schmidt led the 2001 Tampa team to the NCAA semifinals and was the winningest coach ever at Tampa. Prior to moving to Tampa, Coach Schmidt served next as assistant head coach at the University of Virginia with Ballard alumni Terry Gates (Class of 1976), Lee Raker and Jeff Lamp (Class of 1977). He then went on to serve two years as Head Coach at Vanderbilt.

Most people don't know that Coach Schmidt also raises exotic birds as a hobby. One of his best customers for these pets is said to be Wayne Newton!

Congratulations on a great career, Coach Schmidt!

Women's Field Hockey Cornhole Tournament Raises Over $11,000!

Thanks to all who participated in the inaugural Boards and Bags for the Bruins fundraising cornhole tournament on April 29. The 67 teams participating raised $11,000. Proceeds will go toward the construction of a new field house and locker rooms for the field hockey and lacrosse players.

The field hockey and lacrosse boosters have raised $150,000 -- just $75,000 away from their goal!

Alumni interested in making a contribution to the team to help their fundraising efforts can contact Coach Allison Masyada Nonos or Ina Miller for more information, or go to Donate | Ballard Field Hockey Commemorative bricks are available for $250, with additional recognition and naming rights available for donations over $1000.

Sign Up Here for a Guided Tour of Ballard's Exciting New Academy Programs

There have been many changes in recent years to high school education here in Louisville with the introduction of the Academy approach to learning. Ballard's four Academies -- Business Services, STEM, Media Arts and Visual & Performing Arts -- provide our students with training that until recently was only available in post-secondary environments.

The Alumni Association has sponsored two alumni tours thus far, led by Dr. Neuss, that have been exceptionally well received. Comments like these are coming back to us:

"As a 2005 alumnus of Ballard, I had not returned to campus in quite some time. The opportunity to tour BHS with Principal Neuss brought back feelings of pride and happiness as I walked the halls and saw first-hand the numerous areas of progress BHS has made over the years. Going forward, I hope to be more involved with Ballard's continuous progress and success. -- Mahammad Kahn

"I recently had the opportunity to tour Ballard with Dr. Neuss and other alumni. I was highly impressed! There are exciting new classes offered and great renovations that have been done to the school. The students are so lucky to have dedicated staff and alumni helping to make their school great. I really enjoyed learning about the house system as well. Take the time and tour BHS!"

-- Ginnie Meredith

We are working now on a schedule of tours for later this year. If you would like to receive an invitation to participate in one of these small-group tours, just click the button below. We'll get back to you with options when tour dates are firmed up.

Want to Keep Track of Your Favorite Team Sports at Ballard?

You can check the most recent game score or the upcoming events on the schedule for your favorite Bruin team by simply clicking on the links shown below. Go Bruins!

Boys Baseball

Girls Fast-Pitch Softball

We're Looking for Volunteers for the Hall of Fame Event

The planning has begun in earnest for the 2023 Hall of Fame Night coming the weekend of October 21. Our Hall of Fame Committee is looking for people interested in helping with event planning, decorations and other tasks. If you would like to help, please click on the button below and Kim Barber will get in touch with you. Thanks!

Ballard's First Annual Alumni Golf Scramble is Coming This Summer!

Our first annual Alumni Golf Scramble will happen on Friday, July 28 starting at 2pm. We'll be playing at Nevel Meade, with entry fees of $100 per person. Refreshments will be included. Put your foursome together now, or let us know if you're a single and we'll pair you up with another group.

If you have questions, just click on Bobby Schiavone for more information or call him at the number on the poster.

Our Final Lunch and Learn for the School Year Was a Success

In spite of an a school lock-down in progress, our last Lunch and Learn of the year came off successfully. It featured 2010 graduate Terrance McCraney, author of children's books and content creator for children's television programming.

Ballard students and faculty have been very enthusiastic about this program. It allows graduates to get back in the school to share their experiences and it allows students to get a clearer idea of what the future holds for them. If you would be willing to come in to share your story with students at a Lunch and Learn during the 2023-2024 school year, click on Rebekah Mulloy and we'll get you on the speaker's list.