April 8, 2025
Community organizations invited to participate in Ferris State national championship parade and celebration
Ferris State University’s National Championship Parade and Celebration is a community event, and local organizations are invited to participate in the April 12 parade.
The university is celebrating its 2024 NCAA Division II national championship football team with an even sponsored by Granger Construction starting at noon in downtown Big Rapids. The city of Big Rapids and the Downtown Business Association are partners for the event.
Local and campus businesses, teams and organizations are invited to join in the parade and can reserve a spot by completing a form located here. By April 9.
The parade will start at the Big Rapids Library, 426 S Michigan Ave., and run from the south to north, starting at the Big Rapids Public Library and ending near city hall.
National championship team members will be featured in the parade along with other Ferris State student-athletes and teams, local fire and police vehicles, the Ferris State pep band, cheer team and more.
A special recognition and proclamation ceremony will take place in front of Horizon Bank, 125 N Michigan Ave., featuring Big Rapids Mayor Fred Guenther, Ferris State President Bill Pink, Athletic Director Steve Brockelbank, head coach Tony Annese and others.
The festivities will continue following the parade and the fans will have an opportunity to greet the national championship team, get autographs, take photos with the national championship trophy and more.
The downtown area from Maple Street to Pine Street will be blocked off until the event concludes and local business restaurants and establishments plan to be open for dining and shopping.
All Ferris State students and employees and community members and supporters are invited to attend the parade and celebration to help honor the Bulldogs' 2024 NCAA Division II national championship team and staff.
The Bulldogs captured their third NCAA DII national championship in the past four seasons this past campaign. FSU concluded the year with a 14-1 overall record and beat Valdosta State 49-14 in the national title game on Dec. 21 in McKinney, Texas.