Some of Arnie Ball's closest friends gathered Friday night to treat him as if he had swine flu.

Approximately 200 former players, family members, co-workers and friends feted the 29-year IPFW men's volleyball coach in the Memorial Coliseum Appleseed Room during a roast and toast for the Arnie Ball Legacy Endowment Campaign. The goal is to finish off a $2 million endowment campaign for the men's volleyball program. Campaign co-chairman Dr. John Pritchard reported $750,000 has been raised, and the school has announced matching funds up to $1 million.

Among the honors Ball received, former IPFW player Cherise Dixie represented Mayor Tom Henry in proclaiming Friday as “Arnie Ball Day” in Fort Wayne. Committee member Becky Teagarden read a proclamation from Sen. Evan Bayh, and Ball was also named a Sagamore of the Wabash in a letter from Gov. Mitch Daniels.

Among the speakers were former Ball State coach Don Shondell, former IPFW Athletic Director Dave Skelton, Penn State coach Mark Pavlik, Ohio State coach Pete Hanson, United States men's national team coach Hugh McCutcheon, IPFW assistant coaches Mark Franke, Denny Johnson and Ryan Perrotte and former IPFW players Lisa Hormann, Loren Gebert and Lisa Morlan. Former IPFW Chancellor Joanne Lantz, IPFW supporter Larry Lee and former IPFW assistant Dave Schmidlin also spoke.

Ball's son Lloy, Olympic gold medal setter, was also honored with the retirement of his No. 10 jersey. A three-time all-American at IPFW, Lloy Ball is the only U.S. men's volleyball player to compete in four Olympics and won a gold medal last summer in Beijing. He recently completed his degree.

“I don't know about you, but I'm sick of talking about my dad and volleyball,” Lloy Ball joked. “For the last 10 years, I can only answer the milkman question so many times, about my dad and Bob Knight... Luckily, I'm almost getting to the point where I'm going to retire, and hopefully we can put that whole chapter of our lives to bed.”

The last three speakers were Ball's children: Lloy and daughters Amy Uptgraft and Jana Brya.

“My dad started at IPFW the year I was born,” Brya said. “This has been my whole life, so I'm just really thrilled and happy that you guys have gotten to share my dad like I have. I don't know anybody else besides the people of this room, and I'm not related to half of you, but you are still my family... I'm very lucky and very appreciative that you love my dad and appreciate him like I do. Yeah, he's a little tough and a little rough around the edges at times, but inside his heart is as big as can be.”

Arnie Ball, who was often emotional during the 5 1/2 -hour event, got the last word and chose to push what he felt was the main reason for the evening, the chance to thank his former players and help provide opportunities for future players.

“They represent those 29 years and what we're here for tonight. We're here to have an opportunity to hopefully push just a little bit further and conclude this endowment. I am so thankful to... those who have been part of this campaign, which will guarantee the opportunity to give scholarships to young men for as long as the program exists.

“That's what tonight is all about. It's not about Arnie Ball, it's not about IPFW men's volleyball, it's not about Fort Wayne, it's about these young people who have an opportunity to come and be a part of our community, and stay in our community and be prosperous citizens of our community.”