A History of Ferris State University Athletics
Ferris State University (FSU), located in Big Rapids, Michigan, has a rich athletic history. From its humble beginnings as the Big Rapids Industrial School in 1884 to its current status as a respected NCAA Division II institution (with its men's hockey team competing in Division I), Ferris State has fostered a tradition of athletic competition and achievement. The Ferris State Bulldogs represent the university in a variety of sports, showcasing the dedication and talent of its student-athletes.
Early Years: A Focus on Physical Fitness
In the early days of Ferris, athletics were not a high priority. Founder Woodbridge N. Ferris, who established the Big Rapids Industrial School, believed in physical fitness. However, one campus story has it that Mr. Ferris had an aversion to football, claiming he didn't have time to play games when he was a boy. Despite his personal feelings, athletics gradually gained traction.
During this time, outdoor athletic competition at Ferris was the focus for many years. In the school's early days, athletics had been low priority, but the culture began to shift. By 1911, female athletes were also participating.
The Evolution of Football
Football has long been a part of Ferris, in one form or another. In 1906, two games were played with Alma College, one resulting in a tie and the other in a 4-0 score in favor of Alma. In 1907, the Mt. Pleasant (now Western Michigan University) team held the Institute to a tie. Some years saw the formation of teams, while in other years, there were no teams at all.
One campus story has it that Mr. Ferris would look the other way, and pretend he didn't notice. By 1931 things were looking up in football. In the fall of 1936. The student body supported the team loyally.
Read also: Show Your Pride
Growth and Development of Athletic Programs
In 1947, the athletic programs began to grow, with increased emphasis on physical education and coaching. By this time, the school as a whole supports a first and second team.
Key Figures in Ferris Athletics
Several individuals have played pivotal roles in shaping Ferris State athletics. Mr. Grange, a Big Rapids lawyer, and E.M. Clark and W.T. Smith were instrumental in the development of athletic programs. Smith played football at the Institute for three years before attending Michigan State and joining their football team.
Intercollegiate Competition and Conference Affiliations
As Ferris State evolved, so did its intercollegiate athletic program. The university competes as members of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) for 14 of its 15 varsity sports. The men's hockey team, the only team that competes at the NCAA Division I level, plays in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA).
Landmark Achievements
Ferris State athletics have celebrated numerous landmark achievements across various sports.
Men's Basketball
The men's basketball team experienced significant success in recent years. Led by power forward/center Zach Hankins, the team won a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) regular-season and tournament title in 2015-16, setting a then-school record for wins with a 28-5 record. Hankins' individual achievements included leading Division II with 130 blocks on the season, setting a school single-season record.
Read also: Your FSU ID Card
Ferris State reached the second round of the 2017 NCAA Division II Tournament. In his junior season, Hankins averaged 15.1 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks per game, with a field goal percentage of 63 percent. His 128 blocks led the nation. Hankins repeated as GLIAC Player of the Year and was named the National Player of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches. In March 2018, the men's basketball team won the NCAA Division II national championship.
Football
The football program has also achieved remarkable success under coach Tony Annese, winning multiple GLIAC championships with quarterback Jason Vanderlann. Their first playoff win was vs 7 seed Texas A&M Commerce at home in 2015, while they got beat by ODU in 2014 and GVSU in 2015, both GVSU and ODU were in-conference teams who were lower seeds, and both losses came in Big Rapids at home. In 2016, Ferris State defeated rival Grand Valley in the playoffs in Allendale, sending the Bulldogs to the National Semifinals. In 2017, the Bulldogs returned to the playoffs and defeated Ouachita Baptist and Fort Hays St before losing to Harding in a 16-14 Regional Championship.
Annese guided the team to its first national championship appearance in 2018 before losing to Valdosta State 49-47. In 2021, the Bulldogs returned again to the playoffs and would win their first national championship in school history by defeating Valdosta State 58-17. In 2022, they made it back to the national championship claiming their second in school history going back-to-back by defeating the Colorado School of Mines.
Men's Ice Hockey
The 2011-12 season marked the first time in school history that the Bulldogs reached the NCAA Division I Ice Hockey national championship finals. In the national championship match at the Frozen Four the Bulldogs lost 4-1 to Boston College in the title contest. The season came to a close with a 26-12-5 overall record and included a trip to the Frozen Four and a national runner-up finish.
Prior to the 2011-12 season, the program's best season performance in the NCAA Division I was the 2002/03 campaign with a school-best 31-10-1 overall record. The Bulldogs also claimed their first-ever CCHA Regular-Season Championship title with a first-place 22-5-1 league mark and advanced to the NCAA Championship Tournament's West Regional title game in their initial NCAA Tourney appearance. Ferris' men's club ice hockey won the American Collegiate Hockey Association Division II national title in 1994.
Read also: A Legacy on the Court
Athletic Facilities
Ferris State University boasts impressive athletic facilities, including the Ferris Ice Arena and Sports Complex. Located in the Ewigleben Arena, named after former college president Robert Ewigleben, the complex features basketball courts, volleyball courts, a hockey rink, and a general ice-skating rink. Stands were built in the 1930's under Roosevelt's Work Progress Administration.
All-Americans
From 1963 to 1980, Ferris Bulldog teams produced 26 All-Americans. Notable examples include Phil Vandersea, football; Dan Eichenberg, football; and Corey Bouyer, track. Bouyer was a two-time winner and the 1970 NAIA national champion in the 440-yard intermediate hurdles.
tags: #ferris #state #university #athletics #history
