Ferris State's Andy Bronkema Hopes To "Shave The Beard" For Important Charitable Cause

UPDATE: The original goal of $1,000 has been well surpassed. If the new goal of $7,500 is met by Saturday, senior wing Noah King will shave too!

Big Rapids, Mich. - Ferris State University men's basketball head coach and D2 National Coach of the Year Andy Bronkema drew attention during the Bulldogs' historic national championship run with the length of his beard.

He now hopes to use that attention to help support a significant and important cause.

A Go Fund Me page has been created and Coach Bronkema plans to shave his beard on Saturday (April 14) evening during the Bulldogs' national championship celebration at Jim Wink Arena if at least $1,000 can be raised.

The funds will help support Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy in honor of Rockford native Mitchell Peterson, who has been the Bulldogs' honorary team member this season and is the brother of current FSU redshirt freshman Michael Peterson.

Team Mitchell is raising funds for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy research and to bring awareness about this debilitating fatal disease. Mitch, a member of the Division II National Championship Ferris State Men's Basketball Team, has been an inspiration to the entire program.

Coach Bronkema and Ferris State Basketball encourage fans to help find an end to Duchenne MD and join the Bulldogs in the championship effort!

Ferris State will hold its "Celebrate The Champions" event on Saturday night to honor and recognize the entire national championship squad. The event is FREE and the doors open at 6 p.m. (ET). The squad will be introduced beginning at 6:30 p.m. and fans will be able to get autographs, take photos with the national championship trophy, participate in games and contests and more during the special event.

To help support Coach Bronkema's "Shave The Beard" effort, please visit this link:
https://www.gofundme.com/t54bry-bye-bye-beard