Ferris State Athletics Supporting One Of Its Own In Longtime Team Photographer Kevin McDermott

Big Rapids, Mich. - For more than a decade, Ferris State University Athletics has been blessed to have one of the university's own, an alum, photograph and capture the memories of hundreds of student-athletes along with numerous championship moments.

Since taking his first photos at a Bulldog event back in 2011, Kevin McDermott, a 1978 Ferris State graduate, has been a mainstay on the Bulldog sidelines, which includes currently shooting all 117 consecutive football games played under head coach Tony Annese, including most recently the 2021 NCAA Division II Football National Championship game won by FSU in December.

In addition to football, he's shot nearly every Bulldog program at one point or another over the past 11 years in addition to being a donor and strong supporter of Ferris State Athletics.

For the past year, McDermott, though, has supported the Bulldogs as he's done for so long despite battling his own health challenges. While thankfully he was recently deemed cancer-free after going thru radiation this winter, he remains in need of a kidney transplant and currently seeking a match.

To help support his cause and the strong contributions he's made to Ferris State Athletics while also helping to impact countless others in need, the Bulldogs encourage those who are able and willing to register as organ donors.

Those interesting in being a kidney donor and wishing to register to be a match can visit Loyola.donorscreen.org for additional information. McDermott, along with so many others in need, is currently working with the Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Ill.

"Kevin has been more than a photographer for us, he's also been a great friend and someone who has been there to support the Bulldogs every step of the way," said FSU Associate Athletics Director Rob Bentley. "Encouraging people to register and first see if they can be a match, not only for him but so many others, is the least we can do.

"He's a true friend of the university who has devoted so much of his time and talents to most importantly our student-athletes and teams," he added. "We're hoping for a great outcome and for a full recovery so he can continue not only the outstanding work he's done for so long, but more importantly to continue being a great friend to all of us many years into the future."

A native of the Philadelphia area, McDermott graduated from Ferris State in 1979 with his bachelor of science degree in marketing. He has been practicing photography for more than 30 years and began working with Bulldog Athletics in 2011 shortly before head football coach Tony Annese arrived at FSU.

Since his first experience shooting on the Bulldog sidelines during Annese's first victory at Saint Francis (Ill.) that fall, he's shot 117 consecutive Bulldog Football contests, making it to every home and road game in that stretch, including most recently the 2021 NCAA Division II National Championship game last fall in McKinney, Texas.

Along with shooting Bulldog Football, McDermott has also branched out and has shot countless other FSU contests and events over the past 12 years such as FSU hockey, men's basketball, women's basketball, softball, volleyball and soccer among others. He captured the images for the Bulldogs when the men's basketball team won the 2018 NCAA Division II National Championship and has photographed numerous postseason contests across many sports. Along with being a photographer, he's also been a member of the FSU Gridiron Club and has been a donor and supporter to Bulldog Athletics.

Kevin and his wife, Bonnie, who joins him at a majority of the Bulldogs' contests, reside in the Chicago area, but can often be found either in Big Rapids or wherever the Bulldogs are playing throughout the year.

McDermott, who plans to be on hand this weekend for the Bulldogs' annual Crimson & Gold Spring Football Game and to celebrate FSU's first football national championship, has served as FSU's official photographer for many of the major moments in recent Bulldog history, including during both the school's two national title runs in men's basketball and football. Most recently, he helped photograph both the Ferris State men's and women's basketball teams in NCAA Tournament action this past March.

He was recognized in 2019 as the Bulldogs' Pete Peterson Bulldog Pride Award recipient for his service and devotion to Ferris State Athletics.

For additional information, please visit: Loyola,donorscreen.org