April 18, 2024

First Getting to Know Ferris State as a Camper, Alum Maximized College Experience for Adult Success

Athletic interests brought Eddie Bellamy from suburban Detroit to the Ferris State University campus more than 25 years ago, and he’s carried out the lessons he learned though a successful career in the insurance industry. 

Those early arrivals were opportunities designed to make gains in competitive sports but served as an introduction to where much of Bellamy’s personal growth and professional direction would take place. 

“In 1995 and 1996, hockey was my favorite game. I came to summer camps headed up by current Bulldog coaches Bob Daniels and Drew Famulak,” Bellamy said. “That got me to my high school years and then I switched to Ferris’ golf camps. All these exposures to the campus, athletic facilities, and Big Rapids helped me to love what I found there, as I realized I could blend the academics at Ferris with my deep interests in hockey and golf.”  

Bellamy arrived as a student in Big Rapids in Fall 2003 and applied his experience as an ice hockey official while adding the expertise that gave voice to his love of sports.  

“I have always enjoyed my time on the ice, so I officiated Big Rapids Area Junior Hockey Association games throughout my time on campus,” Bellamy said. “As I grew up, I had a family friend who wrote for The Detroit News, with Michigan State football and basketball as his beat assignments. When I learned from a campus job fair that the Ferris State Torch was looking for people, I saw that as an opportunity to stay close to what I love and learn outside the classroom. Being involved with the Torch was such as positive experience and gave me great experience to shape my professional intentions.”  

Bellamy was sports editor for the Torch, hosting on Bulldog Radio and participating in registered student organizations and committee work related to the College of Education and Human Services. 

That active pace continued until 2007, when he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Recreation Leadership and Management, having concentrated in Sports Management.  

Immediately after completing his degree, Bellamy used his golf experience in an internship as a program coordinator for The First Tee, a nonprofit focused on teaching life skills to underserved youngsters through a lens of learning the game of golf. 

He followed that up in 2008 as a communications and operations intern with the American Junior Golf Association. 

“I gained that position thanks to my writing experiences at Ferris and was able to promote topflight golf talent, some of whom have gone on to compete in the Professional Golf Association tour and the Ladies’ PGA,” Bellamy said.  

But a downturn in the United States economy was a game changer. 

“There was a sudden, deep recession,” he said. “I kept officiating, held a job with a Detroit-area golf course I had been with since my high school days and considered my options. In 2011, I took a job in the insurance industry and began my master’s degree in Sports Information.  

Bellamy earned his postgraduate honor in 2015, with experiences that included working behind the scenes with the Grand Rapids Griffins and Detroit Red Wings. After eight years in mortgage lending, he currently works as a customer service representative with Evertree Insurance.  

“When I started in insurance, I was also co-founder of the Hockey World Blog, which continued throughout my graduate studies and professional hockey experiences,” Bellamy said. “Insurance service professionals are there to counsel and support people, which I found very rewarding from day one. My writing became a part-time pleasure, as did my hockey officiating.”  

Bellamy said there is a diverse group of professionals in his companies with some commonalities that help Evertree succeed.  

“I know it is important to grow and enjoy what the industry provides in terms of opportunity,” Bellamy said. “When I compare my path to what I know about my peers, we all arrived from differing circumstances, but we each love to interact with and assist our clients. The goal is to be a positive force in their lives, which is very satisfying.”  

While doing his job to the best of his ability is a high priority, Bellamy strives to hold a work and life balance as a young father, giving his children a chance to find the same joys he had growing up.  

“We are at the point of giving their activities full emphasis, so I set aside things like officiating, blogging and being close to the business of athletics,” Bellamy said. “That’s difficult in a way, since being on the ice was where I got most of my exercise. It is a real treat to see my daughter in action as a skater and I hope this brings her as much joy as I have found there.”  

Bellamy was thoughtful about his episodes on skates with a whistle, what it afforded him, and how the business of helping youngsters compete and participate in hockey has changed in his experience.  

“I used my free time to establish myself back home after my time at Ferris,” Bellamy said. “Officiating is not everyone’s ‘place to be,’ as the job is frequently misunderstood by parents who have their hopes and dreams. I do not take the reactions of a fan or family member personally when they sound off after a call is made. Being an official has given me appreciation for everything taking place on the surface as the game progresses and how hard and intricate the sport really is. I also believe my service as a referee has greatly benefited me in developing a calm demeanor, which is a real asset in my professional experience.”  

Bellamy also happily carries his pride as a Ferris alumnus, thinking back to high points for his beloved Bulldog hockey program and other university accomplishments in athletics and as an institution.  

“When Ferris’ hockey team played for the National Championship in 2012, I had a viewing party of alumni for the game,” Bellamy said. “We enjoyed the game, if not the result. I keep close to the results and successes of our teams online, just like I keep abreast of the growth and changes Ferris has made to the campus. There have been some great accomplishments for the university as they relate to academics, recreation and of course, athletics.”  

The acquaintance began some time ago, but the relationship continues, in terms of Bellamy’s life story, personal interests and his circle of friends resulting from choosing Ferris as his place to learn and grow.  

“My college education has given me such a great quality of life,” Bellamy said. “I got to experience the diversity of our state, this country, and the world by going not such a long way from home, which is what I cherish about my Ferris experience. I found a great deal to do in Big Rapids, and that provided me with many wonderful memories.  

“Just as important to me are the people I met while we were students, reporters and volunteers on campus. Our conversations continue nearly each day, and each one of those means so much, as we go forward together as friends and alumni.”