Michigan Native Ben Mackey Tabbed As New Ferris State Athletics Equipment Manager

Big Rapids, Mich. - A Michigan native will return to his home state as Ferris State University Athletics announced the appointment today of Ben Mackey as the school's new Athletics Equipment Manager. 

Mackey has spent the past five plus years as the Manger of Athletic Equipment Services at Bowdoin College in Maine and brings more than 13 years of experience in collegiate athletics equipment rooms to FSU. He will replace longtime FSU Equipment Manger Ben Mumah, who retired from full-time service in June after 33 years in the position, and begin his appointment on August 1. 

"We're thrilled to announce the appointment of Ben Mackey to this important role on our staff as we approach another academic and athletic year at Ferris State ," said FSU Athletics Director Perk Weisenburger. "He brings considerable experience and skill to this position and will be a valuable member of our administrative team in the years to come." 

While at Bowdoin College, Mackey has managed all aspects of athletic equipment needs for 31 NCAA Division III varsity programs in addition to club, junior varsity, staff and student organizations. His duties have included purchasing apparel and equipment from a variety of vendors along with fitting athletes in uniforms and gear with an emphasis on football, ice hockey and lacrosse.  

"I'm excited about returning to Michigan and becoming part of the Bulldog family," said Mackey. "One of my favorite aspects of working in collegiate athletics is working with exceptional students, coaches and staff. I know those people are in place at Ferris State and am looking forward to the opportunity." 

The Athletic Equipment Managers Association (AEMA) member has also served as an administrator for the department of student affairs during his tenure at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME. He's played a key role in protecting the college's graphic identity standards as it relates to uniforms and equipment while also managing budgets and purchasing cycles for all department and team uniform, apparel and equipment expenses. 

Along with his role at Bowdoin, Mackey has coordinated apparel sales for NCAA merchandise at several NCAA postseason events and has experience working in the locker room and on the sideline for the National Football League's (NFL) New England Patriots along with laundry services for the Boston Red Sox. 

Mackey was a member of the Bowdoin College Athletic Awards Selection Committee and has also been a member of Bowdoin's Globally Harmonized System Taskforce for workplace chemical safety. 

A Houghton Lake native, Mackey earned his bachelor's degree in general education from Saginaw Valley State University. While at SVSU, he began his athletic equipment career as a student assistant before moving into the role of head equipment manager for football at the fellow Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) institution. Along with his equipment-related duties, he also provided on-field services, maintained aerial lift and van certifications, managed on-field coaches' communication devices and oversaw the video staff. 

As part of his duties as the new Athletics Equipment Manager at Ferris State, Mackey will play a key role in the university's continued partnership with the Under Armour brand thru an agreement with Team Sports, Inc., as well as serving as a Senior Staff member on the athletics administrative team. 

Mackey and his wife, Angela, have two young daughters, Cadence (4) and Danika (2).