Can Jeremy Ballard’s FIU basketball team continue its undefeated home streak? (video story included)

Jeremy Ballard, the head coach of Florida International University’s men’s basketball team, has made history. Since his introduction to the program, he has broken records. Last year during his first season, the team won 20 games — the third time in school history that the Panthers had logged that many victories and tied for the team’s second most in a single season. The team also had the first postseason wins and second most wins in school history.

Ballard, who started in April 2018, is the ninth coach brought in by FIU. Despite the records, he said he’s most fulfilled by helping his team win. “I am happy for them because of how hard they’ve worked, how much they’ve sacrificed and put in to being successful,” Ballard said.

Ballard’s coaching career includes an assistant coach position at Illinois State for 14 seasons as well as work at Tulsa, Pitt and his alma mater, Colgate University. He came to FIU from Virginia Commonwealth University where he served as associate head coach.

You can check out the team this season at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center in the basketball arena. So far this year, the team has an 11-7 record and is undefeated at home. The next home game is against the University of Alabama at Birmingham this Thursday, Jan. 16, at 7 p.m. The team has 10 games left this year, the final one being Saturday Feb. 15 against Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. Tickets are free for FIU students and general pricing can be checked out by clicking here.

Jeannette Alonso is an FIU senior pursuing a bachelor's degree in broadcast media and a minor in communication. She anticipates graduating in summer 2020 and wants to work as a journalist capturing and broadcasting the stories of her community.

Ana Valencia is an enthusiastic student who's excited and passionate to learn and create. She is currently working on becoming a great reporter and one day hopes to be a producer.