Michigan State, East Lansing Celebrate Big Ten Day
8/8/2007 12:00:00 AM | General
Aug. 8, 2007
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EAST LANSING, Mich. - East Lansing rolled out the welcome mat for the Big Ten Conference and the Big Ten Network Tuesday morning, celebrating the hometown Michigan State Spartans and Big Ten pride as part of Big Ten Day.
"The Big Ten is all about excellence and equality, and the great city of East Lansing and Michigan State truly embody that Big Ten spirit," Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany said. "We're proud to see the Spartan spirit is strong in green-and-white country, and we look forward to building our partnership for excellence with the state and the citizens of Michigan through the Big Ten Network."
East Lansing mayor Sam Singh and the City Council declared Tuesday Big Ten Day in honor of the conference's commitment to academic and athletic excellence, as well as to gender equality in men and women's sports. Joining in the Big Ten Day celebration were: MSU Athletics Director Ron Mason; men's basketball coach Tom Izzo; women's basketball coach Suzy Merchant; women's tennis coach Erica Perkins; rowing coach Matt Weise; men's and women's swimming and diving coach Matt Gianiodis; field hockey coach Rolf van de Kerkhof; and Big Ten Network President Mark Silverman. Several other Michigan State administators and supporters were on hand for the event.
The Big Ten Network, which is devoted to a wide range of athletic, academic, cultural and orginal programming involving Big Ten schools, launches at the end of August just in time for the kickoff to the 2007 football season.
"Big Ten Day is a tribute to students, athletes and sports fans across the region," Big Ten Network President Mark Silverman said. "The Big Ten Network is proud to partner with East Lansing, Michigan State and all Big Ten schools to bring the best in sports, academics and culture to the millions of Big Ten fans in Michigan and across the nation. The Big Ten Network looks forward to showcasing great schools like Michigan State."