On this exciting episode of Ferris Sports Update, host Brody Keiser dives into the latest action in Ferris State Hockey Team, Women’s Softball, and Men’s & Women’s Tennis as the Bulldogs gear up for another end of the season.
Written by Jess Miller, and Connor Kovacik / Produced by Aimee Reynoso
Hockey Team
We start with the new Head Coach of Ferris State Hockey, Brett Riley. Welcoming him to Big Rapids and to Ferris. Riley states that it’s been a whirlwind 72 hours. With any first interactions or impressions with the players there’s emotions. But as a head coach his job is to come in and get them excited about what’s coming.
To kick start the off season he and the team are setting goals about what they want to do and where they want to go. The first being energy and bringing it everything. Another is utilizing the resources here at Ferris, pointing out our academics, community, the history and the alumni that were instrumental in creating that history.
Reflecting on the history and stepping into the legacy of Bob Daniels, Riley wants to build on that success and make the community proud. He’s excited about the challenge ahead but is ready to take it on. Together, using sport as a catalyst for character development and life lessons the players can take with them.
Women’s Softball
We then transition to softball to hear from Head Coach, Jake Schumann. Right off the bat we talk about the shift in schedule as they have been competing with the weather. After their undefeated spring break trip to Florida, the team came back with heightened momentum and then hit with Michigan weather and trying to get back to the process.
Coach Schumann emphasized the importance of playing a full game and competing at the highest level from start to finish. He stressed the need to refocus on the process and sharpen the fundamentals. While identifying areas for improvement, he also gave credit where it was due, praising the team’s defense, which has been strong all season. He gave a special shoutout to senior third baseman Brooklyn Verbeek and freshman Bailey McCalister—who started as a walk-on and earned a scholarship in December—for their versatility and impact on the field. Before wrapping up, Brody asked Coach Schumann about the team’s focus in the coming months. His message was clear: trust the process, believe in what they see and hear within the team, and keep building.
Photo Credits: Sandy Gholston & Abe Kraus
Men’s and Women’s Tennis
The final guest on this week’s episode was Ferris State Head Tennis Coach Mark Doren, who reflected on a busy stretch for the Bulldogs. The women’s team played three matches, while the men’s team had two, making for a physically demanding week. Despite the challenge, Coach Doren praised his players for their positive mindset and resilience. Although both teams fell to Grand Valley, they bounced back with big wins against Davenport, with the women’s team also securing a victory over Saginaw Valley on Sunday. He highlighted the women’s team’s ability to step up and respond despite being a young squad, as well as the emotional significance of Senior Day, where they honored their lone senior, Kennedy Dumas.
Through it all, the team stayed composed and competitive. On the men’s side, Coach Doren commended senior Alessandro Santangelo for his leadership and the key role he plays in guiding the group. When asked about the teams’ progress, Coach Doren expressed confidence, acknowledging their youth but also their strong positioning for the remainder of the season. With continued growth, he believes both teams have what it takes to finish strong and make a deep run in the GLIAC tournament.
That wraps up this week’s episode of Ferris Sports Update! Thanks for tuning in—be sure to catch next week’s episode for more great content!