Michigan State Spartans News -- www.msuspartans.com

Dantonio Scheduled To Throw Out First Pitch At Tigers' July 9 Game Against Cleveland

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 17:35:24 PST

Michigan State head football coach Mark Dantonio is scheduled to throw out the first pitch prior to the Detroit Tigers' July 9 game against Cleveland at Comerica Park. The first-pitch ceremony is slated for 6:59 p.m., with game time set for 7:05 p.m.

Fans interested in attending the Tigers' July 9 game against Cleveland may order tickets online at detroit.tigers.mlb.com or by calling the Detroit Tigers Ticket Office at 1-866-66-TIGER.

Bush Narrowly Misses Olympic Qualification, Places Fourth at U.S. Trials

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 13:04:52 PST

Michigan State track & field All-American Nicole Bush ran the best race of her young career late last night, but finished just short of her goal of making the United States Olympic Team. Bush ran a personal best time of 9:40.27 in the finals of the 3000m steeplechase to finish fourth in front of a sold out crowd at Heyward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon in Eugene, Ore.

Monday, July 7 is Michigan State Day on the Big Ten Network

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:13:55 PST

The Big Ten Network has designated Monday, July 7 as "Michigan State Day" on the network. All programming will feature Michigan State University and Spartan athletics, including the 2000 football victory over Notre Dame and 1999 men's basketball win at North Carolina. The first game of the day will be the 1998 football upset over top-ranked Ohio State, which starts at 6 a.m.

Spartan Football Update: Kickoff Times Set For EMU, Florida Atlantic & Notre Dame

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:09:44 PST

Michigan State's first three home football games in 2008 will be televised, according to selections announced Wednesday, July 2 jointly by the Big Ten Conference and television networks.

The Spartans' Sept. 6 home opener against Eastern Michigan will be televised by the Big Ten Network, with kickoff set for noon EDT. ESPN or ESPN2 will televise MSU's first-ever meeting against Florida Atlantic at noon EDT on Sept. 13. Michigan State concludes its three-game homestand against Notre Dame on Sept. 20 in a match-up that will be televised by ABC at 3:30 p.m. EDT.

Jake Boss Jr. Named Michigan State's 16th Baseball Coach

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 18:29:25 PST

Jake Boss Jr., who in his first season at Eastern Michigan led the Eagles to the 2008 NCAA Tournament, has been named Michigan State University's 16th head baseball coach. Boss, the 2008 Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year, was formally introduced by MSU Athletics Director Mark Hollis at a press conference Wednesday at Kobs Field.

In just one season as head coach, Boss made an immediate impact at Eastern Michigan, guiding the Eagles to their second consecutive MAC West Division crown and first NCAA Regional appearance since 2003. For his efforts, Boss was selected the 2008 MAC Coach of the Year and made history by becoming just the second coach in league history to win the MAC Tournament and advance to the NCAA Tournament in his first season.

Coverage of Jake Boss Jr. Introductory Press Conference:
Video | Quotes | Podcast | Photo Gallery

Nicole Bush Gets One Step Closer to Olympic Pursuit

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:48:38 PST

Michigan State All-American Nicole Bush was one of 14 runners to advance to Friday morning's final of the 3000m steeplechase last night at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trails in Eugene, Ore. Bush finished first in her heat and second overall with a personal best time of 9:49.53.

Former Spartan Chistine Bader Named Head Coach At Evansville

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:28:34 PST

Former Michigan State tennis standout andAll-Big Ten performer Christine Bader has been chosen as women's tennishead coach at the University of Evansville. She replaces SteveBrockriede, who resigned last month after four years as head coach inorder to pursue his career as a club professional.

Hoyer Listed Among Top Preseason Candidates For Unitas Golden Arm Award

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 18:02:47 PST

Michigan State fifth-year senior Brian Hoyer, an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection by the media in 2007, is listed among 26 preseason candidates for the 2008 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, presented annually since 1987 to the nation's top senior quarterback by Transamerica Insurance and Investment Group. Hoyer is one of four Big Ten quarterbacks being considered for the Unitas Golden Arm Award, including Northwestern's C.J. Bacher, Ohio State's Todd Boeckman and Purdue's Curtis Painter.

The 6-foot-3, 212-pound Hoyer ranked among the Big Ten leaders in passing efficiency (fifth with his 131.9 rating), passing yards (fifth at 209.62 ypg.) and total offense (seventh at 201.5 ypg.) as a junior. He completed 223-of-376 throws (.593) for 2,725 yards, 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. His 223 completions (third), 376 pass attempts (second), 2,725 passing yards (third) and 20 TD passes (tied for fourth) all rank among the top single-season totals in Spartan history. Hoyer recorded six 200-yard passing games last season.

Brian Hoyer: 2007 Video Highlights

Three Spartans Look to Fulfill Olympic Dreams at U.S. Trials

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 11:11:13 PST

The dream of almost every American is to don the red, white and blue, and represent their country at the Olympic Games. Three Michigan State student-athletes will have a chance to fulfill that dream over the next week at their respective United States Olympic Trials.

Listen to Spartan Sports Podcasts
Nicole Bush
Marcus Poteete
Kevin Puskaric

Grewe Resigns, Accepts Associate Head Coach Position At LSU

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 17:41:39 PST

David Grewe, who compiled a 75-85 record in three seasons as head baseball coach at Michigan State, has resigned from his position to become the associate head coach at LSU, where he will be reunited with Tiger head coach Paul Manieri. Grewe previously spent three seasons as an assistant coach under Manieri at Notre Dame (2003-05).

Assistant coach Tony Baldwin will serve as interim head coach as Michigan State begins a search for a successor.

Minkel Inks Three Student-Athletes to National Letters of Intent

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 09:31:53 PST

Michigan State wrestling head coach Tom Minkel has announced the signing of three student-athletes to National Letters of Intent. Jeremiah Austin, Colby Borchetta and Mason Reid will begin competition with the Spartans in the fall of 2008.

Spartan Football Fantasy Campers: Living The Dream

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:10:29 PST

For some Spartans, big-time dreams don't die easy. For die-hard Michigan State football fans Allen Klein and Dick Fullmer, the big-time dreams are just to wear the Green and White and come barreling out of the Spartan Stadium tunnel. And thanks to the annual Spartan Football Fantasy Camp, Klein's and Fullmer's dreams, along with the dreams of 22 other campers, can come true.

It's safe to say the Spartan Football Fantasy Camp dates are circled prominently on Klein's calendar. For the past three summers, the Livingston, N.J., native juggles his appointments as a prominent international banker to take the field. Last year, Klein picked football camp over a bankers' conference in London, and this year, he scheduled his trip to Europe to assure him a spot in the Spartan fantasy lineup.

2008 Spartan Football Fantasy Camp Highlights

Michigan State Announces Major Athletic Award Winners

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 16:12:24 PST

Six Michigan State University student-athletes have been recognized for excellence both on the playing field and in the classroom as they have earned the school's highest athletic awards for 2007-08.

The awards include the George Alderton Male and Female Athletes of the Year, the Big Ten Conference Medals of Honor, the Chester Brewer Leadership Award and the Dr. James Feurig Achievement and Service Award. A panel of administrators and head coaches selected the winners.

Junior goaltender Jeff Lerg (Livonia, Mich.) was named the George Alderton Male Athlete of the Year, while senior women's golfer Sara Brown (Tucson, Ariz.) earned George Alderton Female Athlete of the Year honors. Both earn the award for the second straight year, marking the first time in the history of the Alderton Award that the men's and women's winners are the same for two consecutive years.

Men's basketball guard Drew Neitzel (Wyoming, Mich.) received the Big Ten Conference Medal of Honor along with rower Kate Burdick (Ann Arbor, Mich.). The Conference Medal of Honor is presented to a male and female senior student-athlete at each conference institution for outstanding athletic and academic achievement.

Men's golfer Ryan Brehm (Mount Pleasant, Mich.) received the Chester Brewer Leadership Award, while swimmer Matthew McNichols (Naperville, Ill.) earned the Dr. James Feurig Service and Achievement Award.

Daultan Leveille Taken 29th Overall in NHL Entry Draft

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:29:35 PST

Michigan State incoming freshman Daultan Leveille (St. Catharine's, Ontario) was selected in the first round of the National Hockey League entry draft on Friday evening by the Atlanta Thrashers. Leveille, who had a final ranking of 47 among North American Skaters in the NHL's final Central Scouting ratings, became the Spartans' ninth first-round NHL draft pick in program history when he went No. 29 overall.

Daultan Leveille NHL Draft Profile
2008 NHL Entry Draft Selections

Spartan Ticket Office Now Accepting New Football Season-Ticket Orders

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:27:30 PST

The Spartan Ticket Office began accepting new football season-ticket applications from the general public on Sunday, June 15. The pricing structure for football season-ticket holders remains the same for the fourth year in a row.

Season tickets are priced at $287 for the general public ($41 per game) and $231 for faculty/staff ($33 per game). Family Plan season tickets (minimum four seats) are listed at $210 each ($30 per person).

Second-year Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio and his team will tackle a demanding seven-game home schedule in 2008, including non-conference games against Eastern Michigan (Sept. 6), Florida Atlantic (Sept. 13) and Notre Dame (Sept. 20), plus Big Ten contests against Iowa (Oct. 4/ Homecoming), Ohio State (Oct. 18), Wisconsin (Nov. 1) and Purdue (Nov. 8).