In light of Women’s History Month, the Ferris State women’s volleyball program hosted a celebration of women on Friday, March 22.
The Bulldog Arena housed around 100 people to celebrate and hear from volleyball alumni including legendary former Ferris head coach, Kathy DeBoer.
DeBoer led the Bulldogs to two GLIAC championships in her three-year tenure as head coach from 1980-1983, winning three Coach of the Year honors along the way. She is also set to be inducted into the USA Volleyball Hall of Fame this May.
The event celebrated DeBoer’s remarkable career but also served as a reunion for alumni, players, and fans alike in this historic month. DeBoer highlighted her journey to Ferris and her battle to advocate for women’s sports throughout the course of her career.
DeBoer had high praise for Ferris and the volleyball program in her return.
“Ferris and its volleyball were ahead of its time,” DeBoer said. “By 1986 when I was coaching, there were 20,000 girls playing women’s basketball. The state of Michigan alone had 20,000 girls playing volleyball at the same time. You are all a part of something so special because you were and still are ahead of the curve in women’s sports.”
At the conclusion of DeBoer’s speech current head coach Tia Brandel-Wilhelm announced the Kathy DeBoer leadership award being added to the team awards ceremony at the end of the school year. This award will be voted upon by the team and awarded to the athlete who displays the best leadership throughout the season.
After a GLIAC Tournament win and a third straight regional finals appearance in December, the volleyball team sprung back into action to round out the evening with a Crimson vs. Gold scrimmage pinning the team against one another in a friendly competition.
All-American junior outside hitter Claire Nowicki was thrilled to be a part of the historic night.
“It was exciting to be back in the swing of things,” Nowicki said. “We competed our hearts out but we’re still able to come together as one in the end. It means a lot to me that coach was able to put together this event and put me in the same room as alumni volleyball players. Learning about not only how athletics has changed but how volleyball itself has grown was empowering.”
The Gold side of the team came away with the victory in a close third set as DeBoer and the alumni looked on.
Head coach Tia Brandel-Wilhelm honored the fact that Ferris could bring program members back together for a special night.
“Ferris is a special place and it builds a connection that lasts through the years,” Brandel-Wilhelm said. “It fills my soul to have Kathy and the former alumni here tonight because they shaped the world and shaped our program as we know it.”
The Women’s History Month event served not only as a tribute to Coach DeBoer’s remarkable achievements in her time at Ferris but also as a reminder of the countless women who have paved the way for future generations in sports and beyond.