Grand Rapids, MI— With another football season on the horizon, it’s a strange scene around Grand Rapids Community College. Weight rooms once occupied by dozens of athletes gearing up for the coming season are near vacant, save for the few football players who are either waiting to sign with another school or waiting to join the school they’ve committed to.
Since the cancellation of GRCC’s prestigious football program, a program that ran for 92 years, many players have found a new home. A small group, 14 to be exact, have committed their talents to Ferris State University, led by former GRCC head coach Tony Annese.
GRCCRaiders.com recently had a chance to sit down with former GRCC running back Korey Ringer. A 2 year starter at GRCC, Ringer helped guide GRCC to a 20-2 mark. Korey recently signed with FSU and will join the team in the summer.
GRR - When did you start playing football?
KR – I started playing football when I was 7 years old. My dad was a former football player and being a little kid and watching old football films of him, I just wanted to do what my family was doing. It just felt like football was the thing to do.
GRR - What was your experience like playing at GRCC?
KR - It was more fun than people may think, mainly because all of the negativity with the program and us not having a lot, but it was a brotherhood. We were all close, we all hung out together. We did what brothers do. Obviously being around them so much, we’re gonna have our problems, but being around them made us a family. Wherever we went, on the road or at home, our brotherhood as a team made it worthwhile.
GRR - Any highlights/ favorite memories during your career as a Raider?
KR - Mississippi Bowl in my freshman year. It was the first time I flew on a plane, and just the whole experience down there, it was great. First time ever playing in a big bowl game, I just had a lot of first experiences when I got to play in the Mississippi Bowl. Police escorts, banquets, the whole experience and atmosphere was new to me.
GRR - You’re a Bulldog now, what took you so long to commit?
KR - It took me so long to commit because I had a division 1 look, but I had a lot of academic issues I had to work out first before I could make a decision. I had to make a decision sometime soon, and by the time I would have had to have my decision made I wouldn’t have had those issues worked out for a D1 school. It was only right to sign with Ferris.
GRR - Are you surprised at how many former GRCC players have signed with Ferris?
KR - No, not really. When you like to win and you’ve been winning under the coach you’ve been playing for the past 2 years it makes it easy to make the choice. When it comes down to the situation and circumstances, a lot of us are loyal to Annese, being at Ferris is the right place to be.
GRR - Any predictions for the team this season?
KR - Playing under coach Annese, he has a winning mentality and a high standard for winning. He always preaches national championships and I feel like some of the players were bringing in with some of the players they have there, we should win the national championship.
GRR - What are your individual football goals, both short and long term?
KR - Short term goal is to help Ferris State win back to back national championships under Coach Annese. Long term I want to play football for as long as I can. Hopefully a shot at playing in the NFL, but if not then coach and help young kids in high school and junior college fulfill the same dreams that I had at their age.
GRR - What is it that drives you on the field?
KR - A lot drives me on the field. Because, in the back of my mind I always think about what people say I can’t do or what people say I wouldn’t make it this far or go that far. I put a lot on my back when it comes to these things. I’ve got a personal and family situation. Everything that bothers me, I use it when I play football and be the best that I can be.
GRR - Are there any players in the NFL that you model your game after?
KR - Adrian Peterson and CJ Spiller. Adrian Peterson because he’s such a violent runner. Any challenge on the field isn’t a challenge to him. Spiller because his quickness, elusiveness and speed separates him from defenders. They both have great vision as well.
GRR - March Madness, who’s going to win it all?
KR - I originally went with Florida State because they beat Duke twice and NC in the tournament. Because they’re knocked out I’m gonna go with my hometown UC Bearcats or Baylor.
GRR – Finally, if you could have any superpower what would it be?
KR - If I had a superpower I’d have to model my power after Superman. Superman, saves everybody. He can do anything.
