FERRIS STATE FOOTBALL SPRING DRILLS UNDERWAY

Annual Spring Game Scheduled For April 25; Practices Are Open To The Public

Senior middle linebacker Luke Piepkow, who compiled 100 tackles last season en route to receiving second-team All-GLIAC honors, is among three starting linebackers returning in 2003.

The Ferris State University football team has started to take its initial steps in preparation for the 2003 season as the Bulldogs have commenced their annual spring practice drills.

All practices are open to the public and fans are encouraged to attend. The Bulldogs are under the direction of head coach Jeff Pierce, who’s entering his ninth season at the helm this fall and presently boasts the second-best winning percentage (.607) in the program’s 94-year history. FSU returns 16 starters from a season ago, nine on offense, five on defense, plus the kicker and punter. Headling the list of Bulldog returnees are senior tailback Derek Fudge, junior outside linebacker Kevin Myers, and senior middle linebacker Luke Piepkow, all whom received Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Second-Team honors a season ago.

Ferris State, which has already completed its initial two non-pad drills of the 15 spring practices allotted by the NCAA, will hold 13 practices in pads over the next three-week period. The Bulldogs will conduct practices on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday each week this month from 3:30-5:30 p.m. (EDT) at Top Taggart Field and will move to the FSU South Campus practice fields if field conditions permit.

Ferris will also hold two scrimmages (April 12 and 18) before wrapping up spring drills Friday, April 26, with its annual spring game, which is set for a 6 p.m. (EDT) opening kickoff at Top Taggart Field. The April 12th scrimmage is scheduled for an 8:30 a.m. (EDT) start at Top Taggart Field, but could possibly be moved to the South Campus practice field starting at 11 a.m. (EDT) if field conditions permit. The April 18th scrimmage will start at 11 a.m. (EDT).

Prior to the annual spring contest, a FSU Gridiron Club pre-game open house reception will be held beginning at 5:30 p.m. (EDT) at the Wheeler Pavilion with refreshments and light snacks to be served. Following the game’s conclusion, the third annual FSU Gridiron Club Spring Tailgate reception will take place at the Big Rapids Elks Club starting at 9 p.m. (EDT). Both events are open to the public and free of charge.

For Ferris State, spring practice is an integral part in the program’s preparation for the upcoming fall season. “This gives us an opportunity to really evaluate our personnel,” said Pierce. “We let all of the guys compete to decide who’s the best player at each position. We’re also able to evaluate schemes, experiment with new ideas on both sides of the football and work in improving areas of deficiency.”

Ferris State concluded the 2002 campaign with a 5-5 overall record, which included a sixth-place 4-5 GLIAC mark. The Bulldogs open the 2003 season Saturday, Sept. 6, against the Hillsdale Chagers at Hillsdale, Mich. Opening kickoff for the non-conference contest is slated for 7 p.m. (EDT) at HC’s Frank “Muddy” Waters Stadium. Ferris then opens GLIAC play on the road versus the 2002 NCAA Division II National Champion Grand Valley State Lakers Saturday, Sept. 13, with a 7 p.m. (EDT) start time scheduled at the GVSU’s Lubbers Stadium in Allendale, Mich.