FERRIS STATE ATHLETICS OPEN HOUSE TO BE HELD JANUARY 16

The open house, which is open free of charge to the public, provides an unique opportunity for those in the both the local and surrounding area communities to tour Ferris State's Jim Wink Arena and the Ewigleben Ice Arena.

Wink Arena, which was completed in September 1999 and has a seating capacity of 2,400, has served as the home court for the Bulldog men's and women's basketball programs since the 1999-00 season. The facility is named in honor of the late and legendary men's basketball head coach Jim Wink, who coached the men's program from 1959-81 and was inducted into the Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame in 2000.

The Ewigleben Ice Arena is presently in its 28th year of operation and is named in honor of former FSU President Robert L. Ewigleben, who helped establish the sport of ice hockey and coordinated its progression to the NCAA Division I level during his tenure (1971-84). With an official seating capacity of 2,493, the facility is home to the school's NCAA-I men's ice hockey program.

Both athletic facilities feature multi-functional purposes for use by the University and the public. Activities such as commencement, gun and trade shows, concerts, job fairs, sports camps, and athletic practices are conducted in Jim Wink Arena while public ice skating, youth hockey, figure skating and athletic practices among other events are held in the Ewigleben Ice Arena.

Those attending the special open house event will be admitted free to Ferris State's women's and men's basketball doubleheader against the Northwood University Timberwolves that evening. The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) doubleheader begins with the women's game to tip off at 6 p.m. (EST) proceeded by the men's contest at 8 p.m. (EST).

For more information, please contact FSU Assistant Athletics Director Brian Kegler at (231) 591-2970 or via e-mail at keglerb@ferris.edu.