Ferris State Bulldogs football

Conference history

• 1899–1937: Independent
• 1938–1941: Michigan-Ontario Collegiate Conference
• 1946–1955: Independent
• 1956–1973: NAIA independent
• 1974–1989: Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
• 1990–1998: Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference
• 1999–present: Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

Championships

National championships

Harlon Hill Trophy winners

Ferris State has three Harlon Hill Trophy winners as the Most Valuable Player in NCAA Division II football:

• 2014: Jason Vander Laan
• 2015: Jason Vander Laan
• 2018: Jayru Campbell

Rivalries

Davenport

The Calder City Classic is the name given to the Davenport–Ferris State football rivalry. The winner of the game receives the Calder City Classic trophy, with the series and trophy named for Calder Plaza in Grand Rapids. The first game played under the Calder City Classic name was the 2024 match-up. Every third game in the series will be held at a neutral site in Grand Rapids.

Grand Valley State

The Anchor–Bone Classic is the name given to the Ferris State–Grand Valley State football rivalry. The first Anchor–Bone Classic was played in 2003 while the overall series dates back to 1972. The winning team receives the Anchor–Bone Trophy. Heading into the 2025 game, Ferris State leads the overall series while Grand Valley State leads the trophy series 14–12.

Top Taggart Field

Big Rapids, Michigan Top Taggart Field is an American football stadium located in Big Rapids, Michigan with a seating capacity of 6,200. Located on the campus of Ferris State University, it is the home venue for the Ferris State Bulldogs football team. The stadium is named after W. C. "Top" Taggart, a former halfback for the Bulldogs and the program's first official head coach. Top Taggart Field features the Wheeler Pavilion, a three-story facility located on the stadium's west side that features club rooms, media rooms, and a ticket office; construction began in 2001.

On August 29, 2024, university president Bill Pink announced plans to construct new residence halls that will wrap around the stadium behind the north end zone. The residence halls are expected to open in August 2026.

References

References

1. "Top Taggart Field". Ferris State Bulldogs.
2. (September 26, 2024). "Ferris State and Davenport Universities announce the Calder City Classic". Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
3. Champion, Brandon. (September 26, 2024). "Calder City Classic: Ferris State, Davenport announce new football rivalry".
4. (October 23, 2024). "Anchor-Bone Classic History. Here's Every GVSU Vs. Ferris State Score". [[FloSports]].
5. "Wheeler Pavilion". Ferris State Bulldogs.
6. (August 29, 2024). "Ferris State planning residence hall attached to football stadium to provide unmatched student experience". Ferris State University.