Ferris State Statement On College Hockey
Big Rapids, Mich. - Below is a statement from Ferris State
University Athletics Director Perk Weisenburger
regarding recent movements and developments in Central Collegiate
Hockey Association (CCHA) membership and how it impacts Bulldog
Hockey:
“The recent announcement of two schools deciding to leave
the CCHA following the 2012-13 season did not come as a surprise to
us. Miami and Northern Michigan seized an opportunity
(through the acceptance of an invitation) that they felt was in the
best interests of their respective institutions and hockey
programs. The alignment of collegiate athletic conferences as
we’ve known them recently began to shift (due to TV revenue)
and this practice has now made its way into the college hockey
ranks. The advent of Big 10 hockey has been a strong probability
for many years and the recent decision by Penn State to add
men’s ice hockey resulted in CCHA members Michigan, Michigan
State and Ohio State indicating their plans to leave the CCHA
following the 2012-13 season.
These developments present opportunities for us to step out from
the shadows of our Big 10 friends and hockey rivals and chart a new
identity for Bulldog hockey that aligns us with schools that have
more in common with Ferris State and are “like-minded ”
institutions in terms of the support and presentation of our hockey
programs.
All remaining CCHA schools, including Ferris State, are actively
considering what opportunities may be created or presented. We are
confident that opportunities, including a “new-look”
CCHA, will exist for us and I would like to assure all Bulldog
hockey fans, alumni, students, student-athletes and prospective
student-athletes that our commitment to the on-going development of
our hockey program is strong and resolute. These may be uncertain
times to some, but for Ferris State they are times for reaffirming
our commitment to Bulldog hockey through the exploration of
opportunities that weren’t there in the past.
Ferris State has a well-respected hockey program with outstanding
student-athletes, talented players that graduate and secure good
jobs or continue to play professional hockey along with a
tremendous coaching staff that provides outstanding leadership for
these young men. In addition, we are supported by a vibrant
institution of higher learning with leadership that fully
understands the importance and value of our hockey program. We have
outstanding student fan support, solid local community support and
an alumni base that is more engaged each and every year. We
need to continue to develop and grow our support and fan base as
our competitive and economic model changes based on how conference
membership evolves. In addition, we play hockey in the great state
of Michigan, which is recognized as one of the premier hockey
states in the country.
Here are a few of our competitive highlights in the past decade as
a member of the CCHA;
• 6 All-Americans
• 1 CCHA Player of the Year Award
• 1 CCHA Coach of the Year Award
• One of only six schools to have won
either a regular season or tournament championship.
• Part of the second-largest tournament
championship game attendance in history (19,097 in 2003).
• Ranked 2nd in total number of wins
(excluding departed Big 10 schools and Miami).
• Ranked 3rd in total number CCHA wins
(excluding departed Big 10 schools and Miami).
• Made 29 national television appearances
since 2006.
So now more than ever we need the patience and support of Bulldog
fans everywhere. Opportunities will exist and we remain
optimistic and excited about the future of Ferris State
Hockey.
Thank you and Go Bulldogs!”
For more information on how you can support Bulldog Hockey
through membership in the Blueline Club and Bulldog Athletic
Association - please CLICK HERE
