Longtime Ferris State Public Address Announcer Approaching Major Career Milestone This Fall

Big Rapids, Mich. - A longtime West Michigan announcer is nearing a major career milestone heading into the fall 2022 season as Ferris State University public address announcer Jim Nostrant approaches his 1,400th contest on the microphone.

Nostrant, who plans to continue his duties as the Bulldogs' volleyball public address announcer this fall, also has recently announced his departure from the Bulldogs' football PA role and a successor for the position will be named soon. He served as the stadium voice at Top Taggart Field for the past decade, including the past seven seasons in which the Bulldogs have made the NCAA Division II Playoffs each year under head coach Tony Annese.

"Jim has been a outstanding colleague and friend and I've very much enjoyed working with him," said Associate Athletics Director Rob Bentley, who also serves as the Bulldogs' current radio voice. "While we're sorry to see him depart the football role, we're thrilled he hasn't fully retired from his announcing duties and will continue to be on the microphone for Ferris State Volleyball, especially as we transition to the new Bulldog Arena later this fall. There's no doubt he's had a big impact in numerous roles over his career and we're looking forward to celebrating his upcoming milestone this fall."

Nostrant will enter the fall season with 1,398 sporting events announced over his career and also plans to serve as the PA voice for the Morley Stanwood High School volleyball program in addition to Ferris State Volleyball this season. He previously topped the 1,000 career contests mark back in 2015 when he became only the 19th announcer to join the National Association of Sports Public Address Announcers 1,000 Club at the time.

Over the years, Nostrant has announced for the Bulldogs in various roles since the 1980's and covered regular season along with postseason championship finals in states such as Wisconsin, Minnesota, Montana, Illinois, Indiana along with Michigan. He started as a FSU broadcaster and announcer in 1986 when former Bulldog Athletic Director Dean Davenport appointed him to the volleyball role as the Bulldogs competed under then head coach Jill Hirschinger and assistant coach Beth Launiere, who have both went on to achieve success as NCAA Division I volleyball head coaches.

Along with volleyball and football, Nostrant filled in calling men's and women's basketball games when Tom Ludwig and Lori Hyman were the Bulldogs' head coaches. He also spent nearly five years broadcasting hockey.

In addition to his duties on the mic, Nostrant previously hosted "The Bulldogs", a local cable sports show that lasted nearly 10 years in which he interviewed Ferris State coaches and student-athletes for all sports each season, totaling more than 100 shows. The show also featured several professional athletes such as Detroit Lions Hall of Fame honoree Lem Barney and former Pittsburgh Steelers' player Steve Courson among others who visited Big Rapids. One of his favorite shows featured former Bulldog head football coach Keith Otterbein and FSU legend Monty Brown, who went on to play in the Super Bowl during his NFL career.

Besides Ferris State sports, Nostrant has also announced high school football, volleyball, baseball and basketball games during his career. His career highlights include calling the 1987 Bulldog Volleyball season in which FSU finished unbeaten at home and made a NCAA Division II Final Four appearance along with the recent football championships, including serving as the PA voice for the Bulldogs' 2021 NCAA Division II Football National Championship team.

"Jim's played a big role entertaining the fans for years at Bulldog athletic events and it's really cool to have him go out on top as the voice of a national championship team as it pertains to football," Bentley said. "It won't be easy to fill his shoes in that regard, but to have him back yet again as the arena voice for our championship volleyball team will ensure that he both achieves a major milestone and continues to be a big part of our gameday experience."

Nostrant has sat courtside for conference and regional volleyball championships as an announcer while calling other events such as the Symetra Women's Golf Tour along with Green Bay Packers' winter basketball tour games and the AAU State Swimming Championships over the years. He also once interviewed Sam Bird, the captain of the Carlisle football team that once featured the legendary Jim Thorpe.

Nostrant moved to Big Rapids in 1985 and has been announcing for nearly 50 years, which includes time on the high school, collegiate and professional levels. He started his announcing career after competing in various sports including football, basketball and baseball in high school along with collegiate baseball as a freshman. Nostrant graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

Along with being an announcer for the Bulldogs, Nostrant and his son, James, have also been strong supporters and corporate sponsors of the Bulldogs for many years thru their local Servicemaster business.

The Bulldogs plan to honor Nostrant at an upcoming home event later this fall once the milestone is reached.