BULLDOG BASKETBALL FAMILY: Annual Golf Outing Highlights Lasting Bonds of Ferris State Men's Basketball
By Sandy Gholston
BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – As Brooks Miller looks forward to his first season as Ferris State University's head men's basketball coach, he already has a firsthand appreciation for one of the program's strengths — a loyal network of alumni and supporters, many of whom returned Wednesday for the Bulldogs' 23rd annual golf outing at Katke Golf Course.
"At Ferris State, we build champions," said Miller, who was announced as the 15th coach in program history in April. "I don't think you can build champions without the support of alumni and the community, and events like this are a celebration of that support."
Among the returning alums were members of Ferris State's 2018 NCAA Division II National Championship team, including Peter Firlik and Noah King, whose return underscored the program's strong alumni tradition.
"I think whenever you have an event like this, it's a celebration of all the things of the past that we can really enjoy," said Miller, who coached Trine University to the NCAA Division III National Championship. "Seeing Peter Firlik and Noah King here reminds you of the team that set the stage and the standard that really made you see that it is possible."
Miller believes the turnout reflects the program's tradition and can serve as inspiration for this year's team.
"I think it's really special and unique for our players," he said. "Getting to meet those former players gives our guys a greater understanding that Ferris State is unlike anywhere I've been."
Miller's efforts have not gone unnoticed by Ferris State President Bill Pink, one of the golfers and featured speakers at Wednesday's outing.
"Coach Miller has come in and made an immediate impact. I am very excited about where this program sits today and where it's going," said Pink, who spent time engaging alumni, community members and the team at the outing. "He is building relationships in Big Rapids, making our presence felt in Grand Rapids and bringing in student-athletes from key regions of the state, including Detroit."
King, a Detroit native working at a Grand Rapids accounting firm, appreciates what he has seen from Miller, which has made him even more enthusiastic about returning to support the program, Miller and new assistant Isaac Anderson.
"It's great being back in Big Rapids," said King, who played in and started all 38 games during the 2018 national championship season, averaging nearly 12 points.
King, who played for Andy Bronkema during his Bulldog career, loves the energy he is already seeing from the new Ferris State staff led by Miller, who served on Bronkema's staff last season at Central Michigan.
"I'm excited about Brooks and Isaac and the work they're doing to build a team," he said. "Obviously, Brooks has a great relationship with Coach Bronks. Coach Miller has won a national championship during his coaching career and is working to bring another one to Ferris State."
Firlik, a native of Grand Rapids who continues to make his home in West Michigan, echoed King's sentiments.
"We come up here as much as we can because the program and the Big Rapids community are still special to us," said Firlik, who played in and started 38 games for the 2018 national championship team coached by Bronkema. "We were very blessed to play here and to win a national championship. We're in a great position to give something back to the younger guys."
Firlik, who recently launched his own CPA firm, added, "The memories and experiences that I have from my time at Ferris State have really helped propel me in my career."
Firlik, King and their teammates from the 2018 national championship team will be inducted into Ferris State's Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026 on Sept. 3.
Alums who followed that team helped carry on a proud legacy.
Ben Davidson, only a couple of years removed from his playing career, was excited actually to play in his first men's basketball golf outing.
"I'm really happy to be back in Big Rapids. It's only, like, the second time I've been back since I graduated," said Davidson, who scored nearly 1,500 points during his Bulldog career that wrapped up in 2024. "This men's basketball program means so much to me, personally, and I'm happy to see Brooks get the job to lead this program going forward."
Davidson, a member of Ferris State's 2024 NCAA Division II Midwest Region Championship team, just bought a house in his hometown, St. Clair, Michigan, and is teaching at Marysville High School, where he has been named the head varsity basketball coach.
Understanding the work necessary to pull off the golf outing, Miller expressed his gratitude for the men and women supporting the effort.
"The support here at Ferris is unique, and unlike anything I've been a part of," he said. "When you have a Rebounders Club that puts on an event just for basketball, the support that you get from the community, the alumni, and the fans, it's really remarkable."
This is just the start, Miller believes.
"I think it's just a real celebration here," he said. "There's no better time than the summer to celebrate our players, former players and championship teams."
Lerner Financial and Firlik Advisory sponsored this year's golf outing as title and corporate partners, respectively. Many other businesses and individuals also contributed with tee sponsorships to help support the cause.
The annual event, with 20-plus teams, celebrated the relationships that continue to define Bulldog Basketball while helping position the program for the future.