FERRIS STATE TO HOLD HERITAGE DAY CONTEST THIS SATURDAY

Men’s Basketball Program Will Recognize History In League Game Against Mercyhurst

Former Bulldog player Craig Chappell (1986-88) will represent FSU's GLIAC Championship and NCAA-II Tournament teams of 1986-87 and 1987-88 at Ferris' Heritage Day event this Saturday

Selected representatives from the school’s six NCAA Division II National Tournament qualifying teams (1983, ‘87-90, ‘98) and nine GLIAC Championship squads (1973-74, ‘82-83, ‘87-90, ‘95) have been invited to the game and will be recognized at halftime in addition to FSU’s 1974-75 team, which advanced to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) postseason tourney. Fans attending the game will also receive an opportunity to win Heritage Day t-shirts throughout the contest.

“The Ferris State Athletics Department is extremely proud of the tradition our men's basketball program has achieved throughout its history,” said FSU Assistant Athletics Director Brian Kegler. “Heritage Day provides us with an opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of Ferris’ conference champions and NCAA tournament teams from seasons past. We hope the community will embrace Heritage Day and come out to honor these former players in attendance.”

The 2003-04 campaign marks the 76th season of Bulldog men’s basketball, which began in 1925 although Ferris did not field a team from 1942-45 due to World War II. FSU has compiled a 882-832 (.515) all-time mark to date.

Ferris, which has won more league titles and made more NCAA Championship appearances than any other GLIAC member, captured a GLIAC record four-straight championships from 1987-90. The Bulldogs made five national tournament appearances at the NAIA level, including a quarterfinal round berth in 1962. FSU also reached the NCAA-II Elite Eight in 1988. In addition, Ferris has made five GLIAC Tournament appearances, won the 1997-98 GLIAC Tournament championship and posted 36 winning campaigns.

Ferris State, which is presently 5-11 overall, opens its weekend home stand versus Gannon this Thursday (Jan. 22) in the second game of a GLIAC women’s and men’s doubleheader beginning at 6 p.m. (EST). The Bulldogs’ current 5-2 league mark under second-year head coach Bill Sall presently ranks first in the GLIAC’s North Division.

Individual game tickets to all FSU home basketball games can be obtained at the door or by calling the Bulldog Athletics Ticket Office at (231) 591-2888. Adult tickets are $7 and student tickets are $5. A family pass can be purchased for $15. Ferris State faculty/staff ticket prices are $5. FSU students are admitted free of charge by showing their student identification card.

For more information, please contact Brian Kegler at (231) 591-2860 or via e-mail at keglerb@ferris.edu.