"... I couldn’t help but think of how many people had helped me along the way. One of those people I wanted to personally thank for opening doors was Jimmy Raye. This book tells how some of those doors got pushed open. I’m sure you will enjoy reading about the journey!" - Tony DungyFerris State
Another chapter to story of Gideon Smith
The remarkable story of Gideon Smith has taken him to the footsteps of the National Football Foundation's College Football Hall of Fame.Smith broke barriers throughout his life. He was the first black college football player at two Michigan schools, Ferris State and Michigan...
Vander Laan takes his career to Waldorf Astoria
NEW YORK – Ferris State University quarterback Jason Vander Laan demonstrated how far an NCAA Division II football player can take a career his career.Vander Laan sat on a dais Tuesday morning at the elegant and historic Waldorf-Astoria Hotel for a press conference. He was one of...
NFL scouts find way to Big Rapids to see Vander Laan
BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – A New York Jets scout was here Thursday for practice. An Indianapolis Colts representative visited a couple weeks ago.Just about every NFL team has sent a scout the past couple years to Ferris State’s campus, which is not an easy place to reach in the Middle...
AFCA recognizes Michigan State and Ferris State trailblazer
A full century later, Gideon Smith finally received just recognition from a national organization.Smith broke barriers throughout his life. He was the first black college football player at two Michigan schools, Ferris State and Michigan State. Later he blazed trails in coaching...
Ferris State and Michigan State pioneer Gideon Smith honored
The American Football Coaches Association's website story on Gideon Smith selection to receive its AFCA: The Trailblazer Award.Follow up story from Jan. 12 award in LouisvilleThe award will be presented posthumously Jan. 12 in Louisville.AFCA: Gideon Smith Honored with 2014...
Shanahan enjoys homecoming book signing
By Greg Buckner, Pioneer Sports Editor Growing up in Big Rapids in the 1960s, Tom Shanahan was a big Michigan Stazte football fan and one of his favorite memories was watching the “Game of the Century” between the top two teams in the nation in the Spartans and Notre...
Ferris State hired Smith with Michigan State blueprint dreams
The Michigan State Mafia was an affectionate term for the number of assistants Biggie Munn and Duffy Daugherty placed in jobs around the country in their time as Spartans head coaches – Munn from 1947 to 1953 and Daugherty 1954 to 1972. Men such as Earle Edwards were named the...