UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. - The Saginaw Valley State University football team will open the 2011 season on Sept. 10 against Ferris State University in the return of the annual "Red Feather" game that helps raise money to support Saginaw County youth athletics. Kickoff at Harvey Randall Wickes Memorial Stadium is scheduled for 7 p.m.
This will mark the fifth time in history that SVSU and FSU have played in the "Red Feather" game sponsored by The Fordney Club of Saginaw County, and first time since 1999. This will also be only the second time since the event's inception in 1952 in which the game will take place outside of Saginaw's Arthur Hill Memorial Stadium.
In 1997, the Red Feather game was revived by the Fordney Club with the proceeds of over $25,000 going to benefit Saginaw County youth athletics. Saginaw Valley State beat Michigan Tech 45-28 in the revival of the "Red Feather" Classic that year. A great tradition of exciting football once again entertained and thrilled local football fans and a new tradition of raising funds for youth athletics was established. SVSU defeated Fairmont State (W.Va.) in 1998 by a score of 23-7 before losing to Ferris State 56-14 in 1999.
The Fordney Club became involved with Arthur Hill's Memorial Stadium from its inception in 1949, helping to raise money for its construction and use of the facility as the site of its annual football game to raise funds. The initial effort began an 18-year series which raised almost $100,000 for Saginaw charities.
A variety of different collegiate institutions and prep schools have played in the "Red Feather" game since its inception in the early 1950's. The first "Red Feather" game took place on September 20, 1952, pitting Central Michigan against St. Ambrose (Iowa) with CMU winning 38-14. Overall, Central Michigan appeared in fifteen early "Red Feather" games before it was put on hiatus following Alma's win over Ferris in 1972.
In 2000, the Fordney Club elected to involve high school teams for the first time in the "Red Feather" game. Saginaw's Arthur Hill High School hosted Midland High in the inaugural high school game. Soon after, the Fordney Club decided to begin inviting prep teams from throughout Saginaw County to participate in the "Red Feather" game in alternating years.
This year's game will coincide with the opening of SVSU's renovated Wickes Stadium, which includes new turf, lights and video board. It also brings the "Red Feather" game back to its roots in college football. The game started in 1952 and involved Central Michigan every year but one until 1968. Alma College played in the game for three years, until the event went on a 25-year hiatus. When the game was revived, Saginaw Valley State played in three "Red Feather" games from 1997-99 before the Fordney Club decided to have high school teams play in the game in 2000.
For more information on the history of the "Red Feather" game, please visit this link:
http://www.redfeathergame.com/
