Special "Championship Weekend" Set For April 23-25 Honoring Ferris State Football
Big Rapids, Mich. - A special "Championship Weekend" will take place on April 23-25 as the Ferris State University Bulldogs celebrate the school's fourth NCAA Division II National Championship.
The slate of events will begin on Thursday, April 23, as "Ferris Night" takes place at Applebee's in Big Rapids from 6-9 p.m. The evening will feature player and coach appearances, including FSU head coach Tony Annese, along with a live taping of the Bulldog Blitz Football Radio Show. Fans can receive 20% off their order by wearing Ferris State gear.
The weekend continues on Friday, April 24, as the Bulldogs will hold their national championship ring ceremony inside Bulldog Arena on the FSU campus starting at 4 p.m. (ET). The event will be free and open to the public. Coach Annese will address those in attendance and all Bulldog players and staff will officially be presented with their championship rings during the afternoon ceremony.
Following the ring ceremony, the Bulldogs will hold their annual Crimson & Gold Spring Game, which is presented by Mancino's Pizza, starting at 7 p.m. (ET) at Top Taggart Field. The contest will officially wrap up spring practice for the Bulldogs and a variety of activities will take place in conjunction with the tilt.
Finally, the weekend wraps up on Saturday, April 25, with the National Championship Parade presented by the Mecosta County Visitor's Bureau in downtown Big Rapids. The parade will begin at noon and run from the city library to city hall with a special presentation and speakers at the end of the parade route.
All events are free and open to the public.
The Bulldogs captured their fourth NCAA D2 National Championship in the past five seasons this past campaign. FSU concluded the year with a historic 16-0 overall record and beat Harding 42-21 in the national title game on Dec. 20 in McKinney, Texas.
Below is the slate of weekend events (April 23-25):
Thursday, April 23
Ferris Night at Applebee's, 6-9 pm
Friday, April 24
National Championship Ring Ceremony, 4 pm (Bulldog Arena)
Crimson & Gold Spring Game, presented by Mancino's Pizza, 7 pm (Top Taggart Field)
Saturday, April 25
National Championship Parade, presented by Explore Big Rapids, 12 pm (Downtown Big Rapids)