Central Michigan University Athletics
Photo by: Josie Ransley '25,M'27 - @josieransmedia
Photo by: Josie Ransley '25,M'27 - @josieransmedia
Photo by: Josie Ransley '25,M'27 - @josieransmedia
Photo by: Josie Ransley '25,M'27 - @josieransmedia
Photo by: Josie Ransley '25,M'27 - @josieransmedia
Photo by: Josie Ransley '25,M'27 - @josieransmedia
Photo by: Josie Ransley '25,M'27 - @josieransmedia
Photo by: Josie Ransley '25,M'27 - @josieransmedia
Photo by: Josie Ransley '25,M'27 - @josieransmedia
Photo by: Josie Ransley '25,M'27 - @josieransmedia
Photo by: Josie Ransley '25,M'27 - @josieransmedia
Photo by: Josie Ransley '25,M'27 - @josieransmedia
Photo by: Josie Ransley '25,M'27 - @josieransmedia
Photo by: Josie Ransley '25,M'27 - @josieransmedia
Photo by: Josie Ransley '25,M'27 - @josieransmedia
Photo by: Josie Ransley '25,M'27 - @josieransmedia
Photo by: Josie Ransley '25,M'27 - @josieransmedia
Photo by: Josie Ransley '25,M'27 - @josieransmedia
Photo by: Josie Ransley '25,M'27 - @josieransmedia
Photo by: Josie Ransley '25,M'27 - @josieransmedia
Photo by: Josie Ransley '25,M'27 - @josieransmedia
Central Michigan Football Team Arrives in Detroit!
12/22/2025 7:30:00 PM | Football
Chippewas complete a morning practice in Mount Pleasant then board buses for Detroit, attend GameAbove Sports Bowl Welcome Event/Dinner at the Henry Ford Museum at Greenfield Village.
DETROIT, Mich.—Central Michigan Football has arrived in Detroit!
The Central Michigan football team arrived at its team hotel around 3 p.m. on Monday. Early in the morning the Chippewas had team, special teams, and position meetings, then worked through an early-morning practice at its Indoor Turf Bay. Following practice and lunch on the go, the Chippewas boarded four buses bound for a two-hour drive to Detroit.
After checking and team meetings in Detroit, the Chippewas traveled by bus to nearby Dearborn and the Henry Ford Museum for the GameAbove Sports Bowl Welcome Event and Dinner. Both Central Michigan and Northwestern enjoyed a dinner and then had the opportunity to explore one of Detroit's and the state of Michigan's finest tourist attractions, the Henry Ford Museum at Greenfield Village.
Before dinner, both teams listened to a GameAbove Sports Bowl presentation featuring two former NFL stars and Detroit Lions Calvin Johnson and Cory Schlesinger. Johnson and Schlesinger both spoke about their careers after football.
Johnson spoke on the importance of availability and the influences he had growing up.
"My sister was the first to attend college and proved to be a great example for me," he said. "As an athlete, you have an opportunity to impact so many people because of your presence. I always wanted to be available to people and put on a good first impression because you never know who you may meet. If you focus on attitude and effort, you will come out on top of most situations."
Schlesinger spoke about the impact an athlete can make in the community and beyond.
"You don't understand how much influence you have on kids," he said. "That's why it's so important to be a good influence on and off the field. Whether you're in the NFL or not, college players have just as much influence. My advice is be a real man. It's not about money, cars, fancy jewelry. Are you going to stand up for other people and do the right thing?"
Following the presentation, a formal buffet-style dinner was served in the Henry Ford Museum main hall. The dinner included steak, potatoes, chicken, green beans, lasagna, and mac and cheese. Desert included root beer floats, ice cream, and chocolate cake.
Players, coaches, and staff then had the opportunity to tour the Henry Ford Museum. Among the museum's many features and highlights include the Rosa Parks bus, the actual bus where Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the JKF Limousine from the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the chair that Abraham Lincoln was seated where he was assassinated, the Allegheny Locomotive, one of the largest steam locomotives ever built, Henry Ford's first car, and Thomas Edison's light bulbs.
Later that evening, the Chippewas were treated to a late night snack provided by Buffalo Wild Wings.
FOLLOW CENTRAL MICHIGAN IN DETROIT
Joe Labas Feature Story
Bowl Game at Ford Field Will Have a Home-Game Feel
Home Away From Home: Central Michigan Football is Back in Detroit
Watch GameAbove Sports Bowl Introductory News Conference (featuring Matt Drinkall)
Central Michigan Accepts GameAbove Sports Bowl Invitation
Central Michigan will play in its sixth bowl game at Ford Field in Detroit. The last time the Chippewas participated in a bowl game in Detroit was in 2015 when they faced Minnesota in the Quick Lane Bowl.
It is Central Michigan's 11th all-time football game in the city of Detroit. All previous matchups took place at Ford Field, including five bowl games, four MAC Championship games, and one regular season contest. In 11 matchups in Detroit, Central Michigan's average attendance in those games is 33,472. The last time Central Michigan played at Ford Field was on Dec. 7, 2019 against Miami (Ohio) in the MAC Championship Game.
Owned, hosted and operated by the Detroit Lions, the GameAbove Sports Bowl is in its 11th year of existence and second year with title sponsor GameAbove Sports. More information on the GameAbove Sports Bowl is available at www.detroitlions.com/game-above-sports-bowl/.
Follow Central Michigan Football: TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
The Central Michigan football team arrived at its team hotel around 3 p.m. on Monday. Early in the morning the Chippewas had team, special teams, and position meetings, then worked through an early-morning practice at its Indoor Turf Bay. Following practice and lunch on the go, the Chippewas boarded four buses bound for a two-hour drive to Detroit.
Day 1 of Bowl Week | Welcome dinner at the Henry Ford Museum #FireUpChips pic.twitter.com/CKkKMZAcKn
— Central Michigan Football (@CMU_Football) December 23, 2025
After checking and team meetings in Detroit, the Chippewas traveled by bus to nearby Dearborn and the Henry Ford Museum for the GameAbove Sports Bowl Welcome Event and Dinner. Both Central Michigan and Northwestern enjoyed a dinner and then had the opportunity to explore one of Detroit's and the state of Michigan's finest tourist attractions, the Henry Ford Museum at Greenfield Village.
One last time on the road#FireUpChips pic.twitter.com/TtK9YWsLkS
— Central Michigan Football (@CMU_Football) December 22, 2025
Before dinner, both teams listened to a GameAbove Sports Bowl presentation featuring two former NFL stars and Detroit Lions Calvin Johnson and Cory Schlesinger. Johnson and Schlesinger both spoke about their careers after football.
Johnson spoke on the importance of availability and the influences he had growing up.
"My sister was the first to attend college and proved to be a great example for me," he said. "As an athlete, you have an opportunity to impact so many people because of your presence. I always wanted to be available to people and put on a good first impression because you never know who you may meet. If you focus on attitude and effort, you will come out on top of most situations."
Schlesinger spoke about the impact an athlete can make in the community and beyond.
"You don't understand how much influence you have on kids," he said. "That's why it's so important to be a good influence on and off the field. Whether you're in the NFL or not, college players have just as much influence. My advice is be a real man. It's not about money, cars, fancy jewelry. Are you going to stand up for other people and do the right thing?"
Central Michigan has officially arrived in Detroit! pic.twitter.com/ejlUljpBYZ
— GameAbove Sports Bowl (@GameAboveBowl) December 22, 2025
Following the presentation, a formal buffet-style dinner was served in the Henry Ford Museum main hall. The dinner included steak, potatoes, chicken, green beans, lasagna, and mac and cheese. Desert included root beer floats, ice cream, and chocolate cake.
Players, coaches, and staff then had the opportunity to tour the Henry Ford Museum. Among the museum's many features and highlights include the Rosa Parks bus, the actual bus where Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the JKF Limousine from the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the chair that Abraham Lincoln was seated where he was assassinated, the Allegheny Locomotive, one of the largest steam locomotives ever built, Henry Ford's first car, and Thomas Edison's light bulbs.
Later that evening, the Chippewas were treated to a late night snack provided by Buffalo Wild Wings.
First night out with Northwestern and Central Michigan pic.twitter.com/3jKLLpJga0
— GameAbove Sports Bowl (@GameAboveBowl) December 23, 2025
FOLLOW CENTRAL MICHIGAN IN DETROIT
Joe Labas Feature Story
Bowl Game at Ford Field Will Have a Home-Game Feel
Home Away From Home: Central Michigan Football is Back in Detroit
Watch GameAbove Sports Bowl Introductory News Conference (featuring Matt Drinkall)
Central Michigan Accepts GameAbove Sports Bowl Invitation
Central Michigan will play in its sixth bowl game at Ford Field in Detroit. The last time the Chippewas participated in a bowl game in Detroit was in 2015 when they faced Minnesota in the Quick Lane Bowl.
It is Central Michigan's 11th all-time football game in the city of Detroit. All previous matchups took place at Ford Field, including five bowl games, four MAC Championship games, and one regular season contest. In 11 matchups in Detroit, Central Michigan's average attendance in those games is 33,472. The last time Central Michigan played at Ford Field was on Dec. 7, 2019 against Miami (Ohio) in the MAC Championship Game.
Owned, hosted and operated by the Detroit Lions, the GameAbove Sports Bowl is in its 11th year of existence and second year with title sponsor GameAbove Sports. More information on the GameAbove Sports Bowl is available at www.detroitlions.com/game-above-sports-bowl/.
Follow Central Michigan Football: TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
—CMU—
Football Players Insider - 12.22.2025
Monday, December 22
Matt Drinkall Insider - 12.22.25
Monday, December 22
GameAbove Sports Bowl Introductory News Conference
Friday, December 12
Dakota Cochran Post-Game Press Conference vs. Toledo
Sunday, November 30