"Bulldog Challenge" Lift-A-Thon This Friday

Big Rapids - The Ferris State University football program will unveil a new format for its annual Lift-A-Thon event by holding the "Bulldog Challenge" this Friday (March 26) evening inside FSU's Jim Wink Arena.

The 28th annual Lift-A-Thon, which serves as a primary fundraiser for the Bulldog Football program and is operated in conjunction with the FSU Gridiron Club, is open to the public free of charge and will begin at 6 p.m. (EDT).  Parents, alumni, fans and students are all invited and encouraged to attend.

For the first time, this year's expanded Lift-A-Thon will include the "Bulldog Challenge" consisting of a competition between team position groups.  The events will include the bench press, pro shuttle run, 20-yard sprint, tug of war along with a talent and entertainment show.  A points system will help determine the winning group.

The entire team will compete in the bench press with selected individuals taking part and representing various position groups in the other events.

Additionally, Buffalo Wild Wings will help sponsor this year's "Bulldog Challenge" with fans receiving coupons for "Four Free Wings".  The Buffalo Wild Wings mascot will also be on hand and compete in a mascot challenge against FSU's Brutus the Bulldog.  All fans are also invited to attend a post-event gathering at Buffalo Wild Wings on Friday night in Big Rapids.

"This year's event gives us an opportunity to see how well our guys have prepared in the off-season for next fall," said FSU head coach Jeff Pierce.  "At the same time, we've changed a few things this year by adding the Bulldog Challenge in an effort to help attract and bring together our fans for this enjoyable evening."

The Lift-A-Thon, which was developed in 1982, operates under the FSU Gridiron Club and every dollar contributed to the Lift-A-Thon will go directly to benefit the Bulldog football program through the Gridiron Club. Pledges for the Lift-A-Thon can be made on a per-pound basis or on a flat dollar rate donation based on how many times each player can successfully bench 225 pounds.

The funds raised from the event will have a direct influence in maintaining the essential elements necessary for the Bulldogs to operate a competitive NCAA Division II football program in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), which is regarded as one of the nation’s top conferences.

For more information and/or to make a donation to the Ferris State Football Lift-A-Thon event, please contact Gary Wendlowsky at (231) 591-2827 or via e-mail at: wendlog@ferris.edu.

Here is a time schedule for this year's "Bulldog Challenge" Lift-A-Thon:

6-6:30 p.m. - Bench Press
6:30-6:45 p.m. - Pro Shuttle Run
6:45-7 p.m. - 20-yard sprint
7-7:15 p.m. - Tug of War
7:15-7:30 p.m. - Talent Show