COMMUNITY PIGSKIN PREVIEW TO TAKE PLACE AUGUST 16

Annual Event Provides An Opportunity To Meet 2005 Local Gridiron Teams

The 11th annual Community Pigskin Preview, which recognizes both the 2005 editions of the Ferris State University and Big Rapids High School football teams, will be conducted Tuesday, August 16, at FSU’s Top Taggart Field in Big Rapids. The event will start around 7:30 p.m. (EDT) and is preceeded by the Big Rapids-Reed City High School football team scrimmage which begins at 5 p.m. (EDT).

Senior tight end Ryan Fritz and the rest of the 2005 Bulldogs will be introduced during the annual Community Pigskin Preview event at Top Taggart Field.

The Community Pigskin Preview is open to the public free of charge and is sponsored by the Ferris State Gridiron Club. Following the Big Rapids High scrimmage, fans in attendance will have an opportunity to meet the entire 2005 Ferris State and Big Rapids School Freshmen, Junior Varsity, and Varsity teams along with the squad’s respective coaching staffs and cheerleaders as they will be introduced over the public address system at Top Taggart Field.

Complimentary hot dogs and refreshments will be served at 7 p.m. (EDT) prior to the introductions. Numerous raffle prizes will be given away throughout the event. Both Ferris State Athletics Department staff and FSU Gridiron Club members will be in attendance to distribute schedule cards and brochures. For more information about the Community Pigskin Preview, contact Ferris Associate Athletics Director For Advancement Brian Kegler at (231) 591-2970 or via e-mail at keglerb@ferris.edu..

For those Ferris fans wishing to get a glimpse of this season’s team, the Bulldogs will have a scrimmage this Saturday (Aug. 13) beginning at 9:30 a.m. (EDT) on the South Campus practice field.

Ferris State embarks on its 97th season of varsity competition this fall, starting with the 2005 season opener Saturday, Aug. 27, versus archrival Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Mich. A 7 p.m. (EDT) start time is scheduled for the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) opener at GVSU’s Arend D. Lubbers Stadium. The 11-game regular season schedule features five home outings, including the home opener Saturday, Sept. 3, against Ashland (Ohio) University at Top Taggart Field in Big Rapids. The contest, which commences at 7:05 p.m. (EDT), will be part of the “Turn Back the Clock Night” event which also features a music concert by Beatlemania Live! and a post-game fireworks display. The Ferris Football team will also wear throwback jerseys for the game.

The Big Rapids High School Varsity and Junior Varsity football teams will kickoff their 2005 nine-game schedules versus the Alma Panthers. The Cardinals’ Junior Varsity squad travels to Alma Thursday, Aug. 25, in a 6:30 p.m. (EDT) matchup while the varsity team hosts the Panthers Friday, Aug. 26, in its season opener at Big Rapids. Opening kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. (EDT).

All of the Cardinals' Junior Varsity and Varsity football home games this season will take place at Top Taggart Field on the Ferris State University campus.