Bulldog Athletics Hall Of Fame Announces Postponement Of This Fall's Induction Ceremony To 2021
Big Rapids, Mich. - Ferris State University has announced the postponement of this fall's Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame Class induction banquet due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
FSU was planning to enshrine the school's 13th class of inductees in an on-campus ceremony on Oct. 16, but instead has postponed the banquet until a later date to be determined in 2021.
The honorees, which will now become the Bulldogs' Class of 2021, includes: Jeff Blashill (Hockey, 1994-98), Lucy (DeMartin) Prior (Women's Basketball, 2000-04), Dannie Hayes (Men's Basketball, 1991-95), Tianna Kirkland (Women's Basketball/Track & Field, 1997-01), Chris Kunitz (Hockey, 1999-03), Brad Morris (Wrestling, 1985-89) and the late Gideon Smith (Football, 1910-11), who is represented by his grandson John Belcher. Longtime supporter and former administrator Carma Burcham was also chosen as a recipient of the Athletics Special Service Award.
"With the ongoing pandemic, this was the right decision at this time to ensure the safety of not only our inductees, but also their families, friends and guests," said FSU Athletics Director Perk Weisenburger. "This is a highly-distinguished class of inductees and the current situation isn't ideal to fully recognize and honor their many contributions and achievements in the proper way.
"We look forward to welcoming them back to a safe, healthy and vibrant campus in 2021 for the induction ceremony and to safely celebrate all their achievements and success with families, friends, former teammates and supporters," he added.
Together, the class includes four individuals who earned All-America honors at FSU, including Prior, Kirkland, Kunitz and Morris along with one of the top men's basketball scorers in school history in Hayes, the current head coach of the National Hockey League's (NHL) Detroit Red Wings in Blashill, a four-time Stanley Cup Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist in Kunitz along with Smith, who was an early college football pioneer as one of the school's first African-American players and is currently on the ballot for the College Football Hall of Fame. Former Ferris State football standout and two-time Harlon Hill Trophy winning quarterback Jason Vander Laan (Football 2012-15) of the NFL's New Orleans Saints was also chosen during selection process after the mandatory 10-year waiting period was waived, but deferred his induction to a later year while continuing to pursue his professional football career.
A 13-member Selection Committee comprised of faculty, staff, alumni and community members selected the class of inductees from a large group of initial nominees. Once enshrined, the seven individuals will become the newest members of a current Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame member group that presently includes 108 previous inductees along with one team.
Specific details regarding the Hall of Fame Banquet along with ticket and sponsorship opportunities will be announced in the future.
The Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame, which inducted its Charter Class in 2000, was established to honor those student-athletes and coaches who have distinguished themselves in their sport or honorary members who made truly exceptional contributions to athletics.
Those who are inducted must first meet the following nomination criteria - Nominees must be departed from Ferris State University for at least 10 years; Nominees must have earned at least one varsity letter and must have distinguished themselves by exemplary performance in the field of athletics; Secondary consideration is given for the performance of meritorious service in behalf of Ferris State Athletics after leaving FSU, or a singular contribution to FSU's Athletics program, and Nominees must have demonstrated good citizenship and conducted exemplary professional/occupational careers which reflect credit on the individual and Ferris State University.