Crimson & Gold
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Bulldog Bites |
DeMartin and Kirkland Jerseys Retired
 The two were honored at halftime of Ferris’ homecoming football game against Ashland on Saturday (Oct. 20) at Top Taggart Field. |
Basketball standouts Tianna Kirkland (AS’01) and Lucy DeMartin-Prior (E’05) had their jerseys officially retired in ceremonies over homecoming weekend last October.
As a senior, Kirkland became Ferris’ first women’s basketball All-American. She was also the first All-Great Lakes Region selection in Bulldog history after leading Ferris to a 16-11 record in her final season. Kirkland led the Bulldogs in rebounding three consecutive years and was the team’s top scorer in both her junior and senior years. The four-year letterwinner helped the Bulldogs to their first NCAA Division II National Tournament appearance in 1999-00.
Now an assistant women’s basketball coach at the University of Michigan, Kirkland finished her playing career with 926 points, 705 rebounds and 40 blocked shots. She also was a three-time All-American in track and field at Ferris, placing fifth in the shot put and sixth in the discus at the 2002 NCAA-II Outdoor Championships, and fourth in the shot put at the 2002 NCAA-II Indoor Championships. She continues to hold the school’s outdoor record (153-7) in the discus.
DeMartin-Prior was a Division II Women’s Basketball Bulletin Honorable Mention All-American in 2003-04, joining Kirkland as the only other Ferris player to earn the honor at the time. DeMartin, who also attained both first-team 2003-04 Daktronics All-Great Lakes Region and All-GLIAC North Division honors, concluded her career as the school’s all-time scoring leader with 1,721 career points, which includes a school single-season record 567 points in her final season.
DeMartin-Prior was also among 40 national finalists for the NCAA Division II Kodak/WBCA All-America Team. She finished her career as the school’s leader with 402 made free throws and is among Ferris’ all-time top 10 performers in field goals, steals, assists, rebounds, blocked shots, three-point field goals, three-point field goal percentage and free throw percentage.
Both players were coached by current head coach Tracey Dorow. During the ceremonies the University unveiled a banner bearing their names, which will hang on permanent display in Jim Wink Arena.
Bulldogs Ice the Huskies in UConn Classic Final
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The men’s ice hockey team headed into 2008 on a high note, winning the 15th annual Toyota UConn Hockey Classic Championship with a 5-0 victory over the host Connecticut Huskies on Dec. 30 at Freitas Ice Forum in Storrs, Conn.
The Bulldogs advanced to the title game with a 2-1 win against Brown in the tourney’s opening semifinal-round matchup. Connecticut, Brown, Army and Ferris comprised the four-team tournament field.
Sophomore left wing Blair Riley, who scored three goals in the championship game, was selected as the tourney’s Most Valuable Player.
Fellow sophomore Cody Chupp assisted on all three goals. Chupp is among the contenders in the first phase of voting for the 2008 Hobey Baker Memorial Award, presented annually to the nation’s top collegiate hockey player. Chris Kunitz, Former Bulldog All-American and starting left wing for the defending Stanley Cup Champion Anaheim Ducks, was a Hobey Baker Hat Trick finalist for the 2002-03 season.
The Bulldogs ended the regular season with an overall record of 15-14-5 and 12-12-4 in the CCHA.
Visser and Schumacher Honored as Smart Bulldogs
 Erik Schumacher |
Two Ferris football players have done their best to make us look at defensive linemen in a new light.
Junior tackle Jake Visser and senior end Erik Schumacher were 2007 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America College Division First Team selections. The college division consists of all schools outside of the NCAA Division I level. They were the only players from a GLIAC institution at any position on either the Academic All-America first or second teams.
Student-athletes must have reached at least sophomore status, maintain a 3.2 cumulative GPA and be a starter or key reserve for their team to be nominated.
2007 represents the second consecutive year Ferris’ defensive unit has produced a first-team Academic All-America selection. Former middle linebacker Mike Klobucher claimed the same status in 2006.
Visser led the squad in tackles for loss and also had a team-best nine quarterback hurries along with 5.5 sacks. In 34 career contests, Visser has compiled 290 tackles (154 solos) with
 Jake Visser |
Schumacher had 59 total tackles last season, which include 32 solo stops. He had a team-leading 6.5 sacks. His 12.5 tackles for loss ranked second on the team last season. In his career, the senior team captain posted 156 total tackles, 28 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks in 44 games. A four-time GLIAC All-Academic Team member, Schumacher is an Accountancy major and a three-time Dean’s Academic Award honoree.
The Bulldogs’ 7-4 overall record in 2007 was the team’s eighth winning campaign in 13 years under head coach Jeff Pierce.
Women Golfers Enter Spring Ranked Third
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Ferris’ women’s golf team tees it up for the spring portion of their 2007-08 schedule ranked third nationally behind defending NCAA-II champion Florida Southern College and perennial powerhouse Rollins College. The Oct. 17, 2007 poll by the National Golf Coaches’ Association reflects last year’s national championship finish with the Bulldogs finishing third behind Florida Southern and Rollins.
In the fall portion of their schedule, the women chalked up three tournament wins, taking the trophy in the Ferris State Invitational, Olivet Invitational and Northwood Invitational. In addition, they finished second at the Findlay William “Bing” Beall Classic and third at the Grand Valley State Laker Classic.
Three spring tournaments will test the Bulldogs’ national ranking before the GLIAC Championships at Findlay, Ohio, April 19-20. They take part in the Northern Kentucky Invitational at Perry Park, Ky., March 29-30; the Illinois Illini Classic at Urbana, Ill., April 4-5; and the Ball State Cardinal Classic at Muncie, Ind., April 13-14. After the GLIAC tournament, the NCAA-II East Regional takes place in Allendale, Mich., May 5-7. The 9th Annual NCAA-II Championships will be held in Houston, Texas, May 14-17.