Community Rallies Around Bulldog Hockey In A Big Way

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During the course of a long regular season, Ferris State University relies heavily on one of the best and most loyal student sections in all of college hockey.

This week, as Ferris commences Central Collegiate Hockey Association Tournament action, FSU's student population, which packs the "Dawg Pound," is wrapping up spring break and slowly returning to campus in Big Rapids. While officials in the Ferris Athletics Department are hopeful many students will return a little early from break, it also recognizes that efforts must be made to reach out even more to the local community. The Bulldogs will need a true home-ice edge as 13th-ranked Ferris takes on 18th-ranked Nebraska-Omaha in Ewigleben Ice Arena on Friday night at 7:05 p.m., Saturday at 7:05 p.m. and (if necessary) on Sunday at 7:05 p.m.

Take a trip around Big Rapids, and it is apparent that local businesses and fans are taking lead roles in rallying around the hometown Bulldogs of long-time head coach Bob Daniels.

The outpouring of support has been nothing short of refreshing to see so many local businesses and citizens filled with pride for Bulldog hockey as it attempts to blaze a trail to famed Joe Louis Arena in Detroit and to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2002-03.

The buzz is in the air and Ewigleben Ice Arena seems destined to have a good dose of students, faculty and staff (as usual). But, it's reasonable to expect the facility might welcome students from several local schools who have been invited to fill the Dawg Pound.

It's great to see Ferris State University's Athletics Department making this significant reach out to local communities inside Mecosta County and beyond.

Small towns can accomplish BIG things.

Here are some of the local businesses showing their support for the Ferris State University hockey team through signs placed prominently: