Ferris State Bulldogs Logo PNG
Since 1993, an English bulldog has represented Ferris State University’s sports department. The Ferris State Bulldogs logo signifies a constant readiness to fight for the club’s honor, symbolizing perseverance, tenacity, and stubborn will.
Athletics at Ferris State University in Big Rapids trace back to 1884, when Woodbridge Ferris founded the school with a focus on practical education. Physical training became part of that model early on, shaping the foundation for organized sports programs.
The Bulldogs nickname appeared in the 1930s after a journalist described the basketball team’s stubborn style of play. Early teams competed mainly in NAIA. In that period, athletes such as Corey Buoyer, who won the 440-yard hurdles title in 1970, and Chuck Evans, the NCAA Division III rushing leader in 1976, brought national attention.
A structural shift came in 1980 when hockey moved to NCAA Division I within the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. Under coach Bob Daniels, the program advanced steadily from the late 1980s. The 2002–03 season ended with a CCHA regular title and 31 wins. In 2012, Ferris State reached the Frozen Four, defeating Denver, Cornell, and Union before losing the final to Boston College.
Football entered a new phase in 2012 with the arrival of Tony Annese. The team reached the NCAA Division II final in 2018 but lost to Valdosta State Blazers 47:49. A rematch in 2021 ended 58:17 in favor of Ferris State, followed by another title in 2022 against Colorado School of Mines Orediggers. Titles in 2024 and 2025 reinforced that run, with a record of 153 wins and 21 losses over 13 seasons.
Basketball added a national title in 2018, while other programs built consistent results within the GLIAC. A long-standing rivalry with Grand Valley State Lakers continues to shape conference outcomes.
Meaning and History
The Ferris State Bulldogs department’s emblem reflects its name. Since 1993, the logo has depicted the head of an aggressively barking bulldog. Around the dog’s neck is a spiked collar with a round pendant featuring the letter “F.” Initially, it was black, but then (in 2011), the designers made it red to match the collar. This is one of the main changes since the emblem was refined.
Other innovations affected minor details, such as the color of the spikes and the shade of the bulldog’s head. The overall artistic concept hasn’t changed: the drawing remains caricatured, with the dog showing large fangs and a menacing look.
What is Ferris State Bulldogs?
The Ferris State Bulldogs comprise 15 student teams within the sports department of Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan. They participate in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and compete in NCAA Division II. However, their hockey team plays in Division I and is part of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. The football team won the Division II national title twice, in 2021 and 2022. The basketball team achieved notable success in 2018.
1993 – 2010
2011 – today
Ferris State Bulldogs Ice Hockey
In 1994, the men’s team won the American Collegiate Hockey Association Division II national title. Some university alumni play in the NHL.
Ferris State Bulldogs Football
Football players from Ferris State Bulldogs have rarely been victorious. Among their few successes are victories in several GLIAC championships and a national semi-final appearance in 2016.