Jan. 13, 2025
Ferris State community celebration highlights football national championship and volleyball team’s historic season
Dominance and success on the playing field and court for Ferris State University’s 2024 football and volleyball programs were points of celebration on Monday, Jan. 13, in the Rankin Atrium of the David L. Eisler Center.
Area businessman and Ferris alumnus Randy LaPreze of Stanwood stands with Ferris State University’s football national championship trophies at a campus celebration Monday, Jan. 13.
Thousands of Ferris State students, faculty and staff joined community members and various northern and west Michigan media members at the celebration.
On display were NCAA Division II National Championship trophies earned by the Ferris State football team in 2021, 2022 and 2024 as well as the volleyball team’s NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Championship trophy, which the Bulldogs claimed on their Bulldog Arena home court in November 2024.
Ferris State President Bill Pink congratulated the teams, players and fans in attendance.
“This is all about celebration,” Pink said. “Our Division II football team was the last one standing, and what the program has done so far this decade, taking three of four championships, is great. Another three, four, five, 10 or 20 would also be welcome.”
Pink said that the community that embraces Bulldog athletes and joins them as Ferris classmates is also to be congratulated.
“We are always glad to talk about our championships while pointing out that champions are what we build at Ferris State, in athletics and through our academic excellence,” he said. “We know that you are all part of that nation.”
Among the first community members to arrive for the celebration was Ferris alumnus Randy LaPreze, of Stanwood, a respected regional realty professional who earned an Associate of Applied Science Teacher Education degree in 1976.
“It is incredible what Ferris’ success has given to our community and the university,” LaPreze said. “Supporting all the Bulldog athletic teams is important, we get great opportunities to enjoy their excellence, with more of it than I recall in my days as a Ferris student.”
First-year Pharmacy student Lauren Bell, of Manistee, joined classmates in the Rankin Atrium, where she picked up one of the free championship t-shirts available at the celebration. Bell said while she enjoyed football early in the semester, she also focused on the volleyball team’s success as the Bulldogs headed to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight as the top seed with an undefeated record.
“I go to a lot of volleyball matches. It always provided something to enjoy and take my mind off my classes and studies for a moment,” Bell said. “I usually go with a group of friends to the games on campus and we really enjoy ourselves and the action.”
A foundational contributor to the Bulldog football program was smiling widely, as Bill Scheible took in the gathering wearing his Ferris State letter jacket.
Scheible was a 1977 Ferris State College of Business graduate who was a leading receiver during his playing days, which were followed by service as an assistant athletic director, game broadcaster and continues as organizer of the annual Bulldog Football Golf Outing. Scheible has followed Ferris State games, home and away, for decades.
He also endowed a scholarship for the program, noting these championships bring great joy to everyone associated with the university.
“It was tremendous in McKinney, Texas, last month. We had about 20 players from the 1970s era of the program in attendance for the championship,” Scheible said. “That is about one-third of a Ferris State roster in their day. This latest group of champions really got rolling after a big win in Allendale in October, which was really great. All of this success is a joy.”
The Ferris State football team dispatched undefeated Valdosta State (Georgia) 49-14 on Saturday, Dec. 14, to cap a 14-1 season and bring home the program’s third NCAA Division II National Championship.
The Bulldog volleyball team lost just 15 games across a 34-1 season, highlighted by its Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament championship and a perfect record in 15 home matches, culminating in the NCAA Division II Midwest Region championship.