Overview of Ferris State Athletics

Ferris State Athletics currently has fifteen different sports teams with seven being male teams and eight female varsity sports teams. The male sports are ice hockey, football, basketball, cross-country, track and field, tennis, and golf. The women’s sports are basketball, cross-country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. All the teams except the hockey team are Division II teams playing in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). The hockey team currently plays in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) of NCAA Division I. There is a home venue for all Ferris’ sports teams in Big Rapids for example Top Taggart Field, Jim Wink Arena, Ewigleben Ice/Sports Arena, FSU Soccer Field, Katke Golf Course, FSU Racquet Center, and FSU Softball Field. The Ferris State Athletics logo is a bulldog with the school colors Crimson ("Ferris Red") and Gold ("Ferris Gold").

The Athletic Director is Perk Weisenburger and the Associate Athletic Director is John Coles. The athletic department is located in Ewigleben Sports Complex. Weisenburger’s goal for the athletic department is to give “opportunities for student-athletes, strengthen our university and reflects positively on our community”. The athletic department has booster clubs such as the Gridiron Club for football, Blueline Club for hockey, Rebounders Club for men’s basketball, Sixth Dawg Club for women’s basketball, and The Gallery for men and women’s golf. They also host events such as Hockey Alumni Weekend, Rebounders Club Halftime Receptions, and Football Golf Outing. The athletic department also runs youth camps during the summer run by the coaches and players of the different sports teams.

Ferris State University offers season tickets to adults, FSU students, FSU faculty/ staff, seniors, and students K-12 for hockey, men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, football, and volleyball. The cost of season tickets depends on the sport due to the attractiveness of the sport and length of the season. The athletic department also sells individual tickets for all the sports listed above with ticket prices varying on premium games or if you purchase your tickets in advance.

Tony Annese currently coaches Ferris State Football team with help from Rob Zeitman (Assistant Head Coach), Lou Esposito (Defensive Coordinator), Ryan Brady (Offensive Coordinator), and others. There are currently 120 players on the team with a total of 36 scholarships among the team according to the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The team plays thirteen games this year headlined by Grand Valley State University, Saginaw Valley State University, and Ohio Dominican.

I. Internal Environment

Ferris State University Mission:

Ferris State University prepares students for successful careers, responsible citizenship, and lifelong learning. Through its many partnerships and its career-oriented, broad-based education, Ferris serves our rapidly changing global economy and society.

Ferris State University Vision:

Ferris State University will be: The recognized leader in integrative education, where theory meets practice throughout the curriculum, and where multi-disciplinary skills important in a global economy are developed with the result that Ferris State University will also be:
The preferred choice for students who seek specialized, innovative, career- and life-enhancing education
The premier educational partner for government, communities, agencies, businesses, and industries through applied research and joint ventures
A stimulating, student-centered academic environment that fosters life-long engagement, leadership, citizenship, and continuing intellectual development
A university that aligns its practices and resources in support of its core values of collaboration, diversity, ethical community, excellence, learning, and opportunity (Mission 1)
Ferris State Athletics Mission:

Ferris State