Neil Schmottlach to retire from Ball Brothers Foundation

Neil Schmottlach, senior program officer at Ball Brothers Foundation (BBF), will retire on Dec. 31 after a career that has spanned 50 years and included teaching, advocating and writing about health and fitness. Before joining BBF in 2000, Schmottlach was a member of the Ball State University faculty, was the first John and Janice Fisher Distinguished Professor of Wellness and Gerontology and was director of the Fisher Institute. He is co-author of multiple editions of “The Physical Education Activity Handbook.”

“Because of Neil’s obvious expertise on health issues, he has shaped and managed our foundation’s wellness initiatives,” said Jud Fisher, BBF president and chief operating officer. “But his contributions go far beyond that. He’s been instrumental in creating programs to strengthen education in Delaware County from pre-school to post-secondary. Because he’s well known throughout East Central Indiana, he has helped us form partnerships and build coalitions that have advanced our work. Internally, he’s taken a leadership role in updating our technology, improving governance and simplifying our grant-application process.”

Schmottlach, a native of Maine, came to the Midwest as an undergraduate student at The Ohio State University. He then earned a master’s degree from the University of Oregon and a doctorate from Florida State University before relocating to Muncie in 1965 to join Ball State’s physical education department.

A community reception honoring Schmottlach is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 10, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Minnetrista Cultural Center.

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With assets exceeding $160 million, Ball Brothers Foundation annually makes grants in support of arts and culture, education, the environment, health, human services and public affairs. The Muncie-based family foundation gives priority to projects and programs that improve the quality of life in BBF’s home city, county and state.