Bio

Ferris State University announced the appointment of alum and Big Rapids native Jake Daugherty as the school's new Coordinator of Athletics Corporate Sales and Advancement in the spring of 2021.

Daugherty, who is currently finishing his Master's Degree from FSU, was a three-time All-America standout on the offensive line for the Bulldog Football program from 2013-17 and had spent the previous two years working in an intern capacity inside the athletics department as the Bulldog Athletic Association Coordinator while assisting with FSU's marketing and sales efforts. 

The joint announcement was made by the University Advancement & Marketing (UA&M) division along with Bulldog Athletics. 

"We're delighted to add a team member the caliber of Jake Daugherty not only to our Advancement staff, but also to our Athletics Department," said Bob Murray, Associate Vice President for Advancement. "Bringing Jake, a former standout student-athlete with the Bulldog football team, aboard in a full-time capacity is an outstanding example of collaboration toward the shared goals of strengthening our Bulldog Athletic Association as well as developing and implementing important strategies designed to grow annual giving for Ferris Athletics.

"We further appreciate the great work Jake will contribute with game-day promotions, social media campaigns, advertising and sponsorships, corporate sponsorships and athletics marketing to develop and enhance additional revenue streams to benefit our student-athletes," he added.

Daugherty was a three-year starter for the Bulldogs and helped lead Ferris State to back-to-back national quarterfinal appearances in 2016 and 2017 as the squad's starting center. He was tabbed as a national semifinalist for the 2018 Wooden Citizenship Cup presented to the top athletic role models in the country and was also named to the 2017 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and honored at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans for his accomplishments on and off the field.

"Jake was an outstanding ambassador for Ferris State University as a student-athlete and his work over the past two years has been critical for us in continuing to develop relationships with alumni, fans and community partners," said FSU Athletics Director Perk Weisenburger. "He's been instrumental in our corporate sales and marketing while playing an extremely valuable role with the Bulldog Athletic Association. 

"We believe he's the perfect fit and is a true Bulldog with a strong sense of passion and pride for this university who will help us continue the momentum and growth we've been able to establish," he added.

As part of his new position, Daugherty will serve on FSU Athletics' external operations team and play a lead role in the marketing and corporate sales process in addition to cultivating relationships and building active membership within the Bulldog Athletic Association.

While a student-athlete at FSU, Daugherty was also a three-time All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) pick on the field and claimed GLIAC All-Academic Team recognition while being highly-active in various campus and community activities throughout his time as a member and leader on the FSU football team. He was also a role model to many of the youth in the Big Rapids area thru his community service endeavors, including reading to students in area schools, teaching at camps, supporting young athletes and more.

The hometown product was named the runner-up for the 2017 Gene Upshaw Award presented to the nation's most outstanding Division II offensive or defensive lineman in the country. He was also tabbed to the 2017 Associated Press All-America Team as a senior. Over his four years on the field, the Bulldogs made four consecutive trips to the NCAA Division II Playoffs and reached the national semifinals his junior season.

Daugherty helped the Bulldog offense generate a then school-record 563 total points and a program all-time best 7,190 yards of total offense in 2016. As the squad's starting center, he helped pave the way offensively as the Bulldogs' starting quarterbacks led the country in rushing yardage each season he played. Ferris State won 11 games or more each of his four seasons of action and his senior class compiled a 45-7 overall record with four NCAA playoff appearances, two GLIAC Championships, two national quarterfinal berths, a semifinal game appearance and a super region championship.

Prior to his Bulldog career, Daugherty starred for Big Rapids High School in both football and basketball as a prep student-athlete. The two-time All-State honoree was a two-time team captain and chosen for the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association All-Star Game. He led the Cardinals to a playoff appearance as a senior and helped the basketball squad to the MHSAA State Quarterfinals during a memorable prep career.

For additional information on the Bulldog Athletic Association or FSU Athletics' Corporate Sales, Daugherty can be reached at (231) 591-2862 or via email at: JakeDaugherty@ferris.edu