Latest Breaking News On - Jim wink - Page 1 : vimarsana.com
Ferris State University Joseph Pistrui headed to Spain in 1997, beginning studies leading to his Doctor of Philosophy at Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona. He never thought he’d be able to watch his alma mater’s volleyball team compete in his new collegiate home.
The Ferris State volleyball team is in the middle of a 10-day trip for international competition and cultural enrichment.
“When I discovered that their first official act would be a workout at the university where I work, I was over the moon,” he said. “It set the stage for me to play a unique role as a goodwill ambassador and representative of both institutions. That is special indeed.”
Pistrui earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Ferris State in 1983, wrapping up a Big Rapids-based experience that included three years as a student-athlete in the men’s basketball program under a trio of Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame head coaches Jim Wink and Tom Ludwig and assistant coach and former standout player Gary Waters, a fellow hall-of-famer.
Beyond the basketball hardwood, Pistrui lettered as a student-athlete for the track and field team under another Ferris State coaching legend, Ray Helsing, where he competed in the 200, 400 and 4x400.
He is a 2021 Ferris State University Distinguished Alumni Award recipient. He has been a faculty member at IE University since 2000 and teaches entrepreneurship and innovation courses to undergraduate students and master’s students while working directly with company executives to help them develop innovation inside their companies.
“When I first learned about the women’s volleyball team’s planned trip, I was very excited,” he said. “It is not every day that I cross paths with a Bulldog in Madrid. So, the chance to do so is always compelling.”
That the volleyball team was coming to Madrid was merely the start.
Pistrui savored every moment of his ambassador role for two institutions that have had significant impacts throughout his life.
“As they entered the university, I greeted head coach Tia Brandel-Wilhelm, whom I had communicated with before their trip, and she immediately introduced me to the team as a Ferris Alumni. That was pure pleasure,” he said. “During the team’s morning workout, I interacted a bit with other members of the Ferris team traveling, including Senior Associate Athletic Director Sara Higley, who shared some personal anecdotes about Ferris sports and all the exciting things that have transpired on and off the field.”
Pistrui was pleased the interest was mutual.
“Later, when the Ferris contingent was touring IE University, coach Brandel-Wilhelm invited me to introduce myself more formally to the team before taking a group photo,” he said. “I gave the group a quick overview of my Michigan origins, including coming from Imlay City. I told them about my time at Ferris, my recognition as a Distinguished Alumni, and my corresponding work on the Thumb 11 Endowed Scholarship Fund. I closed my remarks by expressing my joy for sharing a small part of their European experience.”
The Bulldog volleyball team, which has advanced to the NCAA Division II Sweet 16 each of the last three seasons, listened intently and expressed their appreciation to Pistrui for taking time out of his schedule to visit them.
“I received a spontaneous round of applause during the first introduction,” he said. “During my remarks, when I mentioned my roots in Miller Hall, several team members cheered. I deduced that they too were Miller Hall residents. I reminded them that back in my day Miller was a men’s-only dorm – which was a fun flashback moment.”
Pistrui noted that the arrival of the Ferris State volleyball team was far from a secret on the IE University campus. Word had already spread that the reigning Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament champions, coming off a 27-8 record in Fall 2023, were coming.
“Many members of our university’s club women’s volleyball team were waiting for the Ferris team to arrive,” he said. “They served as on-the-ground peers to help the Ferris State travel group navigate the facilities, and more. Our team joined the Ferris State team for a full workout. It was not long before they formed a single group of student-athletes, which was really nice to witness. I was confident that they would be showered with more Spanish hospitality and embraced by the community of athletes from around the world.”
Reflecting on his initial introduction to Spanish culture, Pistrui did not lose sight of the significance of how he imagined this moment was for the current Ferris State volleyball student-athletes.
“It is such a nice way to be introduced to a new culture and meet locals with common interests,” he said. “In other words, it is a great learning experience for all involved.”
Pistrui and his wife, Maria Teresa, live in Spain with her extended family, which Joseph said also represents his “Spanish family.” That family circle includes two nieces, three nephews, and “an extended group too large to count,” he added.
Pistrui has remained and will continue to stay connected to Ferris State. He maintains many Bulldog connections with people who impacted his life during and since his undergraduate days.
Ferris State has been and continues to stand as a significant part of his life. He doesn’t miss opportunities to share what Ferris State did for him and others and can do for people in the future.
“I remain excited about finding new ways to support Ferris as it grows, develops, and pursues its original mission of “opportunity – industry,” he said of words stamped on the Ferris State University seal.
(Image provided by Ferris State Athletics).
Ferris-state-universityMichiganUnited-statesSpainMiller-hallMadridImlay-citySpanishSara-higleyGary-watersRay-helsingTom-ludwigThe Ferris State University men's basketball squad, which was ranked seventh in the nation this past week, returns from the Thanksgiving holiday break with a regional road contest at Lewis University on Monday (Nov. 29) evening in Romeoville, Ill.
The Bulldogs and the Flyers will square off at LU's Neil Carey Arena with tipoff set for 8 p.m. (ET).
Monday night's contest will be carried live by local flagship station Sunny 97.3 FM and the Bulldog Sports Network with online coverage available at FerrisStateBulldogs.com. Rob Bentley will call the play-by-play action beginning with the pregame show starting at 7:30 p.m. Lewis will provide a live pay-per-view video stream and live internet statistics at LewisFlyers.com.
The Bulldogs are currently 4-1 overall this year and coming off a close 71-68 home regional setback to McKendree this past Wednesday (Nov. 22) night at Jim Wink Arena. Meanwhile, Lewis is 1-2 to date this season and dropped an 84-72 road decision in its most recent action on Nov. 18 against Wayne State in Detroit.
Last season, the Bulldogs dominated the Flyers in a 97-73 triumph on New Year's Eve at Jim Wink Arena. The Flyers, though, won the most recent matchup in Romeoville in the longstanding series by a 90-85 count two years ago (11/20/21). FSU is 2-10 all-time versus Lewis in Romeoville.
Overall, Lewis has claimed three of the last four series' matchups and leads the all-time series by a 14-9 count. The two teams have played each other each season since 2009-10 with the exception of the 2020-21 campaign that was impacted by COVID.
Following Monday night's tilt, the Bulldogs will return home to host Grace Christian on Saturday (Dec. 2) in Big Rapids starting at 3 p.m. (ET) before opening Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play on the road at Purdue Northwest on Dec. 7 and Parkside on Dec. 9.
Rob-bentleyLu-neil-careyLewis-university-on-monday-novFerris-state-universityBulldog-sports-networkLewis-universityCarey-arenaJim-winkWayne-stateNew-yearGrace-christianBig-rapids Sports Careers RSO and students in the Sports Communication program at Ferris State University will host the 17th annual Heart to Heart Hand in Hand basketball game on Tuesday, April 18 at 7 p.m. inside Jim Wink Arena.
The basketball game will feature Area 5 Special Olympians playing alongside Ferris men’s and women’s basketball players in unified red and white teams. Bulldog head coaches Andy Bronkema and Kurt Westendorp will coach the teams.
Alongside the basketball game, spectators will have the opportunity to enjoy halftime activities. These activities include a dunk contest by Ferris athletes featuring celebrity judges, a game of musical chairs and a performance by the Ferris dance team.
Area 5 Special Olympics will also hold several raffles including a 50/50.
For those unable to attend in person, you can support Area 5 Special Olympics through the Sports Careers RSO Venmo account (@SportsCareers-RSO). Any donation supporting Area 5 Special Olympics athletes is highly appreciated.
Special Olympics is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to build self-confidence and social skills through sports.
If you have any further questions regarding this event, please reach out to sandraalspach@ferris.edu, riderd1@ferris.edu or keiserb1@ferris.edu
OlympicsFerris-state-universitySpecial-olympicsSports-careersEsports-communicationHeart-handJim-winkRadio-stationOt-adult-contemporaryDult-contemporaryOt-acEditor Jessica Chevalier reports on the business of floor prep, underlayments, backings and pad, including updates from major producers, like MP Global, UTT, Schönox, Healthier Choice, Taylor, Schluter, Trinseo, DriTac and Ardex, among others.
LouisianaUnited-statesGeorgiaAlabamaNorth-carolinaFort-worthTexasAtlantaIllinoisCaliforniaMississippiGermany