Grand Rapids Reporter

Ferris State University's women's basketball team, fresh from their historic run to the NCAA Division II National Semifinals, will begin the 2024-25 season at the same venue where their previous campaign concluded. The Bulldogs have been chosen to participate in the 2024 Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) Tip-Off Classic in St. Joseph, Missouri.

The event, scheduled for November 2-3 at the St. Joseph Civic Arena, will feature eight top NCAA Division II programs. Hosted by the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association alongside the St. Joseph Sports Commission, this competition includes teams from five states and conferences. Among them are Ferris State and Texas Woman's University, last season's national runner-up.

MIAA Deputy Commissioner Amber Feldman commented on the significance of the event: "The last two D2CCA tip-off events have included that season's eventual national champion." She added, "We are looking forward to continuing to see the high level of competition that these teams bring to the court."

Other participating teams include Ashland, Central Missouri, Missouri Southern State, Northwest Missouri State, Pittsburg State, and Southern Nazarene. Six of these teams reached last season's NCAA Tournament.

Ferris State is set to face Pittsburg State on November 2 at 1:30 p.m., followed by a game against Central Missouri on November 3 at 1:30 p.m. The Bulldogs finished their previous season with a record of 26-6 under coach Kurt Westendorp and claimed their first Midwest Regional Championship.

Reflecting on their recent achievements, Ferris State defeated three top-ranked teams during the past season and advanced further than ever before in national tournaments.

St. Joseph Civic Arena has hosted six NCAA Division II Women's Basketball National Championships since its opening in 1980 and recently underwent renovations enhancing its facilities.

Brett Esely of St. Joseph's Sports Commission expressed enthusiasm about hosting: "With St. Joseph's strong partnership with the MIAA and our history of hosting elite-level women's college basketball in Civic Arena," he stated, "we look forward to welcoming some of NCAA Division II's best programs back to St. Joseph this fall."

Tickets for this event will be available online and at the Civic Arena box office with live coverage provided exclusively by The MIAA Network.

The complete schedule for Ferris State’s upcoming season will be released later.