Ball State University on Tuesday hosted alumnus and television legend David Letterman and two-time Super Bowl champion and longtime Indianapolis Colt, Peyton Manning. 

Letterman and Manning arrived early Tuesday morning to film an episode of “Peyton’s Places,” a football-themed documentary series hosted by Manning that is produced and broadcast by ESPN. The show was filmed at Ball State upon the suggestion of Letterman. 

“It was exciting to have David Letterman and Peyton Manning on our campus today,” Ball State President Geoffrey S. Mearns said. “Mr. Letterman is proud to be a Ball State graduate, and I am grateful that he returned to our campus with Mr. Manning. They’re two stars with strong connections to our state. 

“I look forward to seeing the program that they filmed here today that will air in January,” Mearns said. “The location they chose will showcase our beautiful campus.” 

Letterman, ’69, former host of Late Show with David Letterman, has given back generously to his alma mater over the years, most notably through a lecture series. His name also resides on The David Letterman Communication and Media Building, which was completed and opened in 2007. 

Because of the pandemic, and because of a tight schedule, the production of the show was done privately. Work wrapped up at approximately 4 p.m. 

The day’s events included filming at Scheumann Stadium and at Frog Baby in the heart of Ball State University’s campus.  

“It was an exciting day for our football program.,” said Beth Goetz, Ball State University’s Director of Athletics. “The team was thrilled to engage with these two Indiana legends for ‘Peyton’s Places.’ We are grateful for the opportunity to help showcase our campus, as it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our student-athletes and coaches.” 

Visual assets from today are not being shared at this time, but can be viewed during the upcoming season of “Peyton’s Places.”