Check out the Latest Episode of Ferris Sports Update! With our guest host Brody Keiser as he interviews our guests, Assistant Football Coach Tesfa Smith, Associate Hockey Coach Drew Famulak, and Head Volley Ball Coach Tia Brandel-Wilhelm.
Football
Brody’s first guest is the assistant coach of Ferris State Football, Tesfa Smith. Coach Smith describes that the latest bye week for football was to work on the fundamentals of the game. Simple plays like tackles and throws were very important to improve on for the team. The bye week was also great for some players who just needed that rest that never comes up through the season. Their last game was one of the most complete performances when they won against Ashland 43-3. Coach Smith describes that their opponent was only really able to move the ball when they made mistakes. Mistakes were certainly few and far between for the bulldogs.
In their next matchup on September 28, the bulldogs travel to American International for a highly anticipated road contest. Coach Smith describes that their road matchups early in the season will be instrumental in preparation for the game coming up. Coach Smith says that he is looking forward to the play by the defensive line of the bulldogs. Their opponents quarterback tends to go off script and jump out of the pocket. Coach Smith says that it is their job to make sure he is contained and managed for a full defensive effort.
Photo credit: Ryan Pilon
Hockey
Brody sits down with hockey assistant head coach Drew Famulak to discuss the highly
anticipated upcoming season. This year, the team welcomes 14 new players, a mix of freshmen
and transfers, including two recruits from Norway. As the team settled in on campus, they
quickly bonded and began building strong chemistry. Coach Famulak has been impressed with
their progress, noting significant growth each week. Team captain Travis Shoudy has played a
key leadership role during the off-season, helping to guide the new players. The team is eager to
kick off their season with the home opener on Homecoming weekend, Friday, October 4, against
Miami Ohio, and is looking forward to a strong start in front of the home crowd.
Photo credit: Ben Amato, Terry Ballard, Paige Williams, & Abe Kraus
Volleyball
Our Host, Brody Keiser, and the volleyball team’s Head Coach, Tia Brandel-Wilhem, discuss the winning streak of nine games this season. Head Coach Brandel-Wilhem gives insight into what it is like being a part of the Bulldog volleyball team; she explains their mantra, “A little bit better every day,” which is the saying that the team uses to remind themselves that growth and skill take time. She also mentions the importance of team bonding on the road, the energy generated by audience members, and how they positively impact players’ confidence. Host Brody and Coach Tia also goes over the most recent match against Grand Valley where Ferris won three to one. Looking forward they also converse about the upcoming games against Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan and the next home game. The coach states that Northern and Tech are very skilled teams with an estimate of top five and they are focused on those games currently but are excited to be home with their fans. Brody asks about the performance of the seniors on the team and gives praise to the players Olivia Henneman-Dallape and Kaylee Maat. Tia responds by agreeing and saying the team works very hard. See these amazing players at the next game. Go dogs!