Celebrate 2014 Weekend
9/18/2014 12:00:00 AM | General
EAST LANSING, Michigan - The Michigan State athletics department began the Celebrate 2014 Weekend on Thursday night by holding the 2014 Hall of Fame Induction and Varsity Letter Jacket Ceremony at the Pasant Theatre at Wharton Center. The fifth-annual event is dedicated to all former and current student-athletes who have provided the department with a storied past and a winning tradition.
Athletics Director Mark J. Hollis was the MC of the evening. After a video from MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon, Hollis welcomed the capacity crowd and recognized some distinguished guests and current Varsity S Award recipients. The program transitioned into the introduction of the 2014 Hall of Fame class. One at a time, they came to the stage to watch a video on their MSU accomplishments and address the audience.
Hall of Fame Tribute Videos
Flozell Adams | Greg Johnson | Buck Nystrom | Sue Selke | Kathy Strahan | Dave Thor
Upon conclusion of the inductee's speeches, the focus shifted to the current Spartan student-athletes. A video featuring past letterwinners talking about the honor of wearing their letter jacket transitioned into the respective coaching staffs announcing their students-athletes and managers.
Prior to the beginning of the formal program in the Pasant Theatre, the 2014 Hall of Fame Class received their commemorative awards and special Hall of Fame letter jackets from Hollis. In addition, previous inductees of the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame were also on hand to receive their special letter jackets.
2014 Hall of Fame Class Press Release
Also during Thursday's event, the 2014 Varsity S Club award winners and the Varsity S Club Class of 2014 Honorary Members were honored. This year's Varsity S Club award winners are Alex Wiesner (Nell Jackson Outstanding Alumna), Travis Key (Cheryl M. Gilliam Young Alumni), Mike Vorkapich (Henry C. Bullough Varsity S Service), Jennifer Parks (VanSpybrook Retired Coaches), Kristen Henn (Joey Spano Fellowship) and Dean Look (Jack Breslin Life Achievement Award).
Varsity S Club 2014 Honorary Members include: Robert Cantrell, Jim Constandt, Harriett Dean, Walt Drenth, Jeff Kovan and Beth Marinez.
At halftime of Saturday's game against Eastern Michigan, all of the student-athletes who attended the Varsity Letter Jacket Presentation will take the field, along with the Hall of Fame inductees. The Varsity S Club award winners and honorary members will be honored at the end of the first quarter.
