Ferris State National Championship Parade and Celebration Set For April 12 In Downtown Big Rapids!

Big Rapids, Mich. - Ferris State University, in conjunction with the city of Big Rapids and the Downtown Business Association, will hold a special "National Championship Parade & Celebration" honoring the Bulldogs' 2024 NCAA Division II Football National Championship team on Saturday, April 12, in downtown Big Rapids.

All Bulldog fans, supporters and community members are invited to come out and celebrate FSU's third NCAA Division II National Championship in the past four seasons with the Bulldog team and university community.

The parade will begin in downtown Big Rapids on Michigan Avenue at 12 p.m. (ET) and run from the South to North, starting at the Big Rapids Public Library and ending near city hall. Members of FSU's national championship team will be featured in the parade along with other FSU student-athletes and teams, local fire and police vehicles, the FSU pep band, cheer team and more.

Near the end of the parade route, a special recognition and proclamation ceremony will take place in front of Horizon Bank in downtown Big Rapids featuring potential special speakers such as Big Rapids Mayor Fred Guenther, FSU President Dr. Bill Pink, Athletic Director Steve Brockelbank, head coach Tony Annese and others.

The festivities will continue following the parade and the general public will have an opportunity to greet the national championship team, get autographs, take photos with the national championship trophy and more. The downtown area from Maple Street to Pine Street will be blocked off until the event concludes and local business restaurants and establishments are expected to be open for dining and retail shopping.

All FSU students and campus faculty and staff along with the general public, community members and supporters are invited to attend the parade and celebration to help honor the Bulldogs' 2024 NCAA Division II National Championship team and staff.

Parade entries are currenlty being accepted. All entries will be reviewed prior to approval and must be submitted by Wednesday, April 9.

Those local and campus organizations interested in being in the parade should fill out the parade entry form at this link - https://ferrisstate.prestosports.com/parade.

The Bulldogs captured their third NCAA D2 National Championship in the past four seasons this past campaign. FSU concluded the year with a 14-1 overall record and beat Valdosta State 49-14 in the national title game on Dec. 21 in McKinney, Texas.