Brian and Jeff Carmody Selected as Grand Marshals for Ferris State University Homecoming Parade

On Sept. 28, Brian and Jeff Carmody of JK&T Wings served as the grand marshals of the homecoming parade at Ferris State University, their alma mater. Both brothers graduated from the College of Business and wore the No. 5 jersey on the Ferris football field, experiences that they say have shaped their business strategies today.

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“I think that being involved in athletics and then having a background in the business school helped us become well-rounded in the restaurant industry because of the ebbs and flows that you learn of being a collegiate athlete,” said Brian.

At JK&T Wings, community is an important building block of the business. The brothers recall a motto from their days on the football field: “Every player, every play.” They have shifted this into a restaurant-focused phrase, “Every guest, every shift, every day,” encouraging the staff to provide each visitor with a great dining experience.

Giving back to the community is something that they truly value. Brian noted that General Manager Steve Cassiday and Assistant General Manager Ben Nagy do a phenomenal job of keeping Buffalo Wild Wings® involved with not only the athletics community, but the Big Rapids community as a whole.

In addition to riding in a red convertible during the parade, the Carmody brothers also spent homecoming visiting with old teammates and classmates, reminiscing on their championship-winning days. Some of their favorite memories from the university involved winning division titles as Bulldogs. During the Carmody era, the Bulldogs went 71-31-3. Their university pride is on display in their Big Rapids BWW® restaurant with Jeff’s jersey framed and hung on the wall and a poster of Brian in uniform.

“I think the university experience serves as a footprint for your path in success and life,” said Jeff. “It’s just been fun to be a part of not only the community, but Ferris, and give back in some ways because of the experiences we’ve had at this great university.”

The brothers are both very proud to be Ferris State alumni and have loved seeing the growth that the school has brought to the community. They noted that it was an honor and an “incredible privilege” to represent the university during homecoming week.