Longtime Supporters Fred & Diane Guenther Honored As Pete Peterson Pride Award Recipients

Note: This is the third of four major FSU Athletics Awards that will be presented this week for the 2021-22 campaign.

Big Rapids, Mich. - A pair of Ferris State University's biggest supporters and friends have been honored as the 2021-22 recipients of the prestigious "Pete Peterson Bulldog Pride Award" for their invaluable contributions to FSU Athletics as Dr. Fred and Diane Guenther were chosen as this year's honorees.

The Guenther's have regularly been key donors of the university for many years along with being active and longtime members of the men's basketball Rebounders Booster Club at the highest elite club level. Tn addition, they've been among the team's biggest fans, often attending both home and road contests, in addition to providing support for many other Bulldog Athletics programs.

In recent years, Fred's craftsmanship has also been instrumental in several projects, including building the men's basketball team lockers, a national championship trophy case, the Basketball Wall of Honor in the entry ways at Wink Arena along with the construction of a trophy case in the Ewigleben Sports Complex lobby. Annually, he has also created and constructed special gifts for graduating seniors in the basketball program.

Longtime members of the Big Rapids community, Fred currently serves as the Mayor of the City of Big Rapids.

"We're excited to name Fred and Diane Guenther as our Pete Peterson Pride Award recipients for this year," said FSU Athletics Director Steve Brockelbank. "They have been such strong supporters of Ferris State Athletics and have made extremely valuable contributions for many years. We're appreciative of all their efforts in helping support our student-athletes and programs."

The Guenther's become the 34th recipients of the Pete Peterson Bulldog Pride Award, which is presented annually to an individual who has demonstrated loyalty and unselfish support of Bulldog Athletics.

"Fred and Diane have had such a huge impact on our program and it is outstanding that they are being recognized for those efforts," said FSU men's basketball coach Andy Bronkema. "Their generous support has impacted countless student-athletes and they've also donated their time to help enhance our facility and program. We're thankful for all they have done and continue to do for the Bulldogs."

The Pete Peterson Bulldog Pride Award is named in honor of former Ferris State Athletics Director and Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Commissioner Pete Peterson (1964-79). They join a long list of former colleagues and friends who have earned the prestigious distinction.

The award, which was founded in the 1981-82 season, was reinstated following the 2002-03 athletics season after a seven-year absence. Coaches and athletics department staff nominate individuals to be considered which are selected from alumni, community members, university faculty or staff, and fans. A committee from the administration staff of intercollegiate athletics determined the award recipient.

Pete Peterson Bulldog Pride Award Recipients:
2021-22 - Dr. Fred and Diane Guenther (Community & Financial Supporters, Friends)
2020-21 - Jackie Warner (Community & Staff Member, Supporter, Friend)
2019-20 - Ted Halm (SID, Web Content Manager, Supporter, Friend)
2018-19 - Kevin McDermott (Photographer, Supporter, Friend)
2017-18 - Dave Lucey (Head Athletic Trainer, Supporter, Friend)
2016-17 - Terry Nerbonne (Faculty Athletics Representative, Supporter, Friend)
2015-16 - Ben Mumah (Athletics Equipment Manager, Coach, Supporter, Friend)
2014-15 - Bob Buckingham (Community & Financial Supporter, Rebounders Club member, Fan)
2013-14 - Linda Burnes (Community & Financial Supporter, Longtime "SuperFan")
2012-13 - Kevin Courtney (Blueline Club President, Community Supporter)
2011-12 - Matt Pinter (PGM Program Coordinator)
2010-11 - Sandy Gholston (Journalist, Bulldog Athletics Blog writer)
2009-10 - Tom Kirinovic (Athletics Director, Associate AD, Assistant AD, Ice Arena Manager, Athletics Business Manager)
2008-09 - Bob Horan III (Local Businessman, Financial Supporter, Fan, Gridron Club, Rebounders Club & Blueline Club Member)
2007-08 - Stanley Gustafson (Statistician, Hockey Season Ticket Holder, Fan)
2006-07 – Mike Wissink (Team Chaplain, Team Building Coordinator)
2005-06 – Paul Quick (Ticket Manager, Business Operations)
2004-05 – Sueann Walz (Local Businesswoman, Financial Supporter, Fan, Blueline Club Member)
2003-04 – Paul Davis (Ticket Manager)
2002-03 – Dick Hawkins (Dean, Blueline Club Member)
1995-96 – Rich Currie (Local Businessman, Bulldog Club Member, Bulldog Football's "Number One Fan")
1994-95 – Lyn Hanson (Bus Driver, Fan)
1993-94 – Judd Folske (Baseball Head Coach, Assistant to Athletics Director)
1992-93 – Dean Davenport (Athletics Director, Administrator, Coach)
1991-92 – Rachel Snyder (Associate Professor, National Anthem Singer, Athletic Advisory Committee Member & Chair)
1990-91 – Bill Scheible (Alumni Director, Bulldog Club Member, Athletics Business Manager, Assistant to Athletics Director, Ewigleben Ice Arena Manager)
1989-90 – Tom Cook (CCHA Institutional Representative, Dean of Gerholdz Institute for Lifelong Learning, Administrative Consultant)
1988-89 – Carma Burcham (Assistant Registrar For Athletic Eligibility, Bulldog Club, Blue Line Club, Fastbreak Club)
1987-88 – John Allshouse (Athletics Associates Board Member and President, Fund raising event organizer)
1986-87 – Bob Leach (Alumni Affairs Director, Assistant Vice President For Alumni and Development, Head Football Coach, Development Officer)
1985-86 – Tom Walsh (Dean, Official Timekeeper, Athletic Associates Member)
1984-85 – Bill Buckingham (Public Address Announcer, Associate Vice President For Student Services)
1982-83 – Tim Pendell (Sports Information Director)
1981-82 – Dr. Frederick Birkham (Health Center Director)