Delaware County Futbol Club’s Tony Pierce Recognized with 2025 Fisher Governance Award
Tony Pierce, board president of the Delaware County Futbol Club with Jud Fisher, president & CEO of Ball Brothers Foundation
MUNCIE, IN — Ball Brothers Foundation has presented its 2025 John W. and Janice B. Fisher Governance Award to Anthony (Tony) Pierce, board president of the Delaware County Futbol Club (DCFC). Pierce was recognized with the award at the Greater Muncie Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner on November 18.
The Fisher Governance Award honors a nonprofit board member in Delaware County whose strategic leadership, planning, and oversight have strengthened their organization’s mission, financial health, and general effectiveness.
Pierce has served on the DCFC board for 16 years, including the last 10 as president. Under his leadership, the club has experienced record growth, expanded access to the sport for all youth, and built a stronger organization with sound finances and more deeply engaged board leadership.
“Tony has a steady, mission-driven approach to leadership,” reflected Joseph Greiner, DCFC’s Treasurer. “He’s the kind of board president who empowers its members, mentors new leaders, and ensures that no child is priced out of play. His vision has made DCFC stronger, more inclusive, and better prepared to serve the next generation.”
“[Tony’s] vision has made DCFC stronger, more inclusive, and better prepared to serve the next generation.”
After watching his sons play from the sidelines, Pierce joined DCFC as a coach in 2007. His growing involvement and passion for the sport led him to join the board in 2009. This was during a time of transformation for the club as it was evolving from a small, volunteer-run program into a countywide youth soccer organization offering both recreational and travel opportunities. Now, DCFC supports hundreds of players each year and continues to grow its footprint into neighboring communities.
When Pierce talks about what matters most to the club, it’s making sure every child can play. “Travel soccer can be expensive,” he said. “We never want a child to miss out on playing because of cost. That’s why we’ve worked hard to create scholarship opportunities and build partnerships with sponsors to offset fees.”
Pierce has also guided the club through key milestones including launching a comprehensive financial audit to inform future budgeting and completing a new storage and restroom facility at Yorktown Sports Park in 2024, a project that will be instrumental in hosting larger tournaments and expanding capacity without taking on debt. His focus on fiscal responsibility and long-term planning reflects the kind of effective governance the award was created to honor.
Beyond finances and facilities, Pierce’s leadership has shaped the culture of the club as it has grown. Early on, DCFC welcomed all volunteers, helping the organization expand. As the club matured, Pierce focused on building a board of members with the skills and experience needed to advance key initiatives. “It’s about getting people engaged—those who are passionate about the work they do, because everything else follows,” he said.
“I’m proud to be part of an organization whose board and volunteers work hard to give kids a place to belong and chances to grow.”
That mindset has paid off. Under his direction, the club has seen record participation across all programs, with girls’ involvement doubling in the past two years. DCFC’s impact also extends beyond the soccer field, contributing to stronger local high school programs and offering youth across the county a way to get on the field and be a part of a team.
“Seeing how far we’ve come—from one travel team to nearly twenty and 470 recreation players—is incredible,” Pierce shared. “I’m proud to be part of an organization whose board and volunteers work hard to give kids a place to belong and chances to grow.”
As part of his recognition, Ball Brothers Foundation awarded $10,000 to the Delaware County Futbol Club to support ongoing operations or further board development. Pierce also received a custom, hand-crafted award created by Brent Cole, associate professor of art at Ball State University’s Marilyn K. Glick Center for Glass.
“Strong board leadership is essential to the success of any nonprofit,” said Jud Fisher, president and CEO of Ball Brothers Foundation. “Tony’s dedication to his board, his players, and this community captures exactly what the Fisher Governance Award is meant to honor. It’s especially meaningful that this year’s award recognizes a leader in youth sports—our first Fisher Governance Award honoree from a sports-focused organization—reflecting how athletics can bring people together and help young people grow.”
Previous recipients of the John W. and Janice B. Fisher Governance Award include:
John West, Muncie Land Bank (2024)
Ryan Hunter, Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie (2023)
Marta Moody, Cardinal Greenways (2022)
Heather Williams, ecoREHAB (2021)
Ron Fauquher, Innovation Connector (2020)
James Rosema, Muncie Mission Ministries (2019)
Leigh Edwards, Muncie Civic Theatre (2018)
John Craddock, Community Enhancement Projects (2017)
Ron Orebaugh, Delaware County Soil & Water Conservation District (2016)
Juli Metzger, Project Leadership and Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie (2015)
Pat Botts, Greater Muncie, IN Habitat for Humanity (2014)
Nancy Turner, Muncie Public Library (2013)
Jeff Parsons, Youth Opportunity Center (2012)
Teresa Willman, Cardinal Greenways (2011)
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About Ball Brothers Foundation
Ball Brothers Foundation is one of the state’s oldest and largest family foundations. Annually, the foundation pays out more than $8 million in grants to support arts and culture, education, the environment, health, human services, and public/society benefit. The Muncie-based private foundation gives priority to projects and programs that improve the quality of life in the foundation’s home city, county, and state.