March 25, 2025
Longtime Ferris State partner Granger Construction named presenting sponsor of National Championship Parade and Celebration
Granger Construction, one of Ferris State University's longtime partners, will be the presenting sponsor of the Bulldogs' special National Championship Parade and Celebration planned for downtown Big Rapids on Saturday, April 12.
Granger Construction, which is headquartered in Michigan with offices in the Grand Rapids area, is the construction manager for Ferris State’s residence hall being constructed next to the Bulldogs' Top Taggart Field.
The firm last year completed work on Ferris State's historic Alumni Building and earned industry honors for its work on Grand Rapids Community College's Secchia Piazza and its iconic SkyCone.
"We're extremely thankful for the tremendous support of Granger Construction and welcome it as the presenting sponsor of the national championship parade," Athletics director Steve Brockelbank said. "Granger has been a longtime partner of the university and we're appreciative of its efforts to help us in this well-deserved celebration."
The national championship parade and celebration will honor the Bulldogs' 2024 NCAA Division II Football National Championship team and will take place in conjunction with the city of Big Rapids and the Downtown Business Association.
All Bulldog fans, supporters and community members are invited to come out and celebrate Ferris State’s third NCAA Division II National Championship in the past four seasons.
The parade will begin in downtown Big Rapids on Michigan Avenue at noon and run from south to north, starting at the Big Rapids Public Library and ending near city hall.
Team members will be featured in the parade along with other Ferris State student-athletes and teams, local fire and police vehicles, the pep band, cheer team and more.
Near the end of the parade route, a special recognition and proclamation ceremony will take place in front of Horizon Bank in downtown Big Rapids featuring special speakers.
The festivities will continue following the parade and the general public 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 are expected to be open for dining and retail shopping.
Parade entries are currently being accepted. All entries will be reviewed prior to approval and must be submitted by Wednesday, April 9. The submission form is here.
Those local and campus organizations interested in being in the parade should fill out the parade entry form at this link.
The Bulldogs captured their third NCAA D2 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.