September 29, 2025

Top-selling Ferris State cap raises $9,000 for scholarships through Stormy Kromer partnership

A partnership between Ferris State University and iconic Michigan apparel brand Stormy Kromer has raised more than $9,000 for student scholarships — and earned the Bulldogs the top spot in cap sales among 18 universities.

Stormy Kromer in August launched a collegiate collection of its legendary wool caps, each featuring the embroidered logo of a Michigan university. The Ferris State cap, proudly displaying the Bulldog logo, outsold those from the University of Michigan, Grand Valley State, and others — securing bragging rights and vital scholarship funding.

Thanks to a $20 donation from each cap sold through Homecoming, Stormy Kromer contributed a total of $9,080 to the Ferris State Legacy Scholarship, with 454 caps sold.

“This has been a wonderful partnership, all the way around,” said Brandi Behrenwald, executive director of the Ferris State Alumni Association. “Ferris State and Stormy Kromer are both deeply rooted in Michigan, with proud traditions and strong communities behind them.”

The exclusive Ferris State cap is available in three distinctive styles: the classic red-and-black plaid, a bold solid black, and the original solid red. Each is handcrafted in Ironwood, Michigan, by the skilled artisans at Jacquart Fabric Products, the family-owned manufacturer of the Stormy Kromer brand.

The Legacy Scholarship supports students who carry on the Bulldog tradition within their families — recognizing academic achievement and leadership in those whose parents, grandparents, siblings, or children are Ferris State alumni.

Founded in 1903, the Stormy Kromer cap began as a simple solution to a practical problem. Railroad engineer and semi-pro ballplayer George "Stormy" Kromer asked his wife, Ida, to modify his cap so it wouldn’t blow off in the wind. More than a century later, the cap remains a symbol of hard work, heritage, and Michigan pride — worn by generations and cherished across the globe.

With this partnership, two beloved Michigan institutions have come together to support future generations — one cap at a time.