Fall 2006 Newsletter

The Ferris State University Hockey program has seen a flurry of activity lately, not only preparing for the upcoming hockey season, but incoming scholarship support for the program as well.

Robert and Linda Boyce of Big Rapids, Mich., John Gruden of Rochester, Mich., Bill and Patty Jones of Big Rapids, Mark and Debra Newhouse of Traverse City, Mich., and George and Alice Wales of Big Rapids all have established endowments in support of scholarships for student-athletes.

The Boyces are longtime supporters of Ferris Hockey, with Bob being an integral part of the Ferris hockey program for many years. He serves on Solid Ice, the non-profit organization formed in 1993 to help fund Bulldog hockey, and they both are members of the Blueline Club.

Bob believes that academics should be a number one priority. However, he says athletics - whether you're a player or a spectator - are an integral part of a student's education.

"Playing a sport at any age teaches a lot of life lessons that you just don't get from going to school or sitting in a classroom. That goes for any extracurricular activity," said Bob. "Being a Ferris grad myself, I feel that anything we can do to preserve any athletics on campus is important because it's all part of the educational experience…with funding always getting tighter from the state, the natural way to help a student and the program is to create an endowment that will help students and the program for years to come. When you're passionate about something you have to show your support, not just talk about it."

Gruden, former FSU hockey player (1st Team All-American and 1st Team All-CCHA), after his time at Ferris went on to play for several teams in the NHL and is now a successful business sales representative.

"I never realized what Ferris State did for my career until it was over," shared Gruden about his time at Ferris. "It feels good to give something back to the school that really started everything for me. Now that I look back on everything, if it wasn't for Ferris giving me an opportunity that no other school did, who knows what would have happened. Hopefully the scholarship can help a future Bulldog the same way it helped me."

The Wales' have been hockey season ticket holders for over 20 years and both are members of the Blueline Club.

"My husband is a retired professor from Ferris, and over the years hockey has given us a lot of enjoyment. We talked it over and decided we wanted to give something back to the University that gave us so much," shared Alice.

The Newhouses and the Jones' teamed up on their giving to Ferris State University. Mark and Debra are both graduates of Ferris, and even though they live in Traverse City, they still have close ties to Big Rapids and the University. Debra's parents, Bill and Patty, have been season ticket holders for many years, and their son, Brad, was a hockey student manager during his time at Ferris.

"Deb and I have fond memories of watching Ferris hockey, all the way back to when we were high school students" said Mark. "And as graduates of the University and supporters of Bulldog hockey, we strongly believe in where the program is heading under the direction of Coach Daniels and his staff. We felt it was just the right thing to do and so did Deb's parents. They have been longtime supporters of the hockey program as well and wanted to do more."

Bob Daniels, head hockey coach, looks forward to the upcoming season and is comforted that so many people support Bulldog hockey and have donated to the hockey program.

"The response that we are seeing from community members and past players toward endowments is overwhelming," shared Daniels. "Thanks to their generosity we continue to be a strong program within the CCHA now and in the future."

Once endowed, the scholarships will be given to full-time undergraduate student-athletes in good academic standing who are eligible to compete in intercollegiate athletics.

For more information or to make a gift to the Ferris State University hockey program, please contact the Ferris Foundation at (231) 591-2365 or fsufdn@ferris.edu. You may obtain details about establishing scholarships or endowments by calling the Advancement Office at (231) 591-3815.