Ferris State Athletics To Honor Longtime Team Doctor This Saturday Night

Big Rapids, Mich. - Ferris State University Athletics will honor a longtime team doctor for her 20 plus years of service this Saturday (Jan. 15) night as the Bulldogs honor Dr. Melissa DeNiel when they host St. Thomas (Minn.) in Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) play at the Ewigleben Ice Arena.

Puck drop for Saturday night's weekend finale is set for 6:07 p.m. (ET) and tickets can be purchased online in advance at FerrisStateBulldogs.com/Tickets.

Dr. DeNiel, who is currently an orthopedic surgeon with Spectrum Health, has helped provide medical care to hundreds of FSU student-athletes since 2000. Representatives from Spectrum Health, which is a sponsor of Bulldog Athletics, will also be on hand to help recognize her for her service to the Bulldogs along with past and present Ferris State coaches and staff. She will be honored on the ice during the opening period of the contest.

"This recognition is very well deserved and we look forward to honoring Dr. DeNiel on Saturday night," said FSU Assistant Athletics Director for Sports Medicine Brett Knight. "She has played a key role in providing outstanding first-class medical care to our student-athletes for more than 20 years and is extremely important to the success of our programs. We're thrilled to honor her and thank her for all that she does for the Bulldogs."

During her tenure with the Bulldogs, Dr. DeNiel has worked with student-athletes from all 17 varsity programs and regularly is on the sidelines for Bulldog Football and men's ice hockey contests. Ferris State has captured numerous conference and regional titles during her FSU career along with the 2018 NCAA Division II National Championship in men's basketball and most recently the 2021 NCAA Division II Football National Championship.

Before her current role with Spectrum Health, Dr. DeNiel spent time with the Michigan Medical PC Surgery Specialists in Grand Rapids. She became American Board Certified in Orthopedics in 2002 and then became board certified in sports medicine in 2007. Also, she completed her orthopedic residency from 1993-99 followed by a fellowship in Orthopedic Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy in 1999-2000.

A native of Green Bay, Wis., DeNiel received a bachelor of science degree in physics from Loyola University in Chicago, Ill., in 1988. She was a member of the Ramblers' NCAA Division I women's basketball team during her freshman season, but suffered a career-ending anterior cruciate ligament in her knee. Following a number of surgeries, DeNiel was redshirted for a season and changed her career focus to attending medical school.

DeNiel would go on to earn her M.D. degree in 1993 from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wis.

A 1984 graduate of Bay Port High School in Howard, Wis., DeNiel was a standout in both basketball and track. She received All-Bay Conference basketball honors in both her junior and senior seasons along with being tabbed the Metro Player of the Year and earning team Most Valuable Player accolades in both campaigns. An academic all-state selection in basketball, DeNiel competed in track and presently holds the school record in the 300-yard hurdles. She also placed fourth in the state meet for 300-yard hurdles and participated in the 800-yard hurdles at the state finals in her junior year.

This weekend's home matchup against St. Thomas begins on Friday night with the opening game set for 7:07 p.m. (ET) in Big Rapids. The two contests will represent the first-ever trip to Big Rapids for the Tommies.