Spartans Full Strength Returns Throughout November

East Lansing, Mich. – Michigan State hockey will do its part to put a spotlight on cancer awareness and honor those who have been affected by the disease in its annual "Spartans Full Strength" initiative which will run throughout the month of November.

"Not many of us can say that we have not been personally affected by a cancer diagnosis," said head coach Adam Nightingale. "This is a chance for us to acknowledge, support, and educate in our community. We want to bring people together and support not just those individuals battling cancer, but their families, loved ones, and caretakers."

This season, MSU hockey is partnering with the Stephen Swistak Memorial Fund, as well as supporting the family of Matt and Kelly Deschamps. Steve Swistak played for the Spartans for four seasons (2000-04) and went on to complete his medical degree in 2008 at MSU's College of Human Medicine. He had just started his job as an attending colorectal surgeon at Detroit Medical Center before being diagnosed with recurrent esophageal cancer which had spread to other areas of his body. He passed away June 11, 2015. Matt Deschamps is an assistant coach at the University of Michigan, and his wife Kelly was recently diagnosed with Stage III inflammatory breast Cancer.

Learn More about the Swistak Memorial Fund | Donate to the Swistak Memorial Fund

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Throughout the month of November, there will be initiatives at all MSU home games, against Ohio State (Nov. 8-9), Notre Dame (Nov. 15-16) and Lindenwood (Nov. 30- Dec. 1).

We invite fans to wear lavender/purple ribbons to all Spartan games during the month to show their support for cancer awareness.
There will be "I Honor" signs at all entrance gates to give fans an opportunity to publicly support those in their lives with a cancer diagnosis, their families, and their caretakers. Collection boxes will be available for those signs so that they can be hung on the "Honor Walls" at the main (south) entrance of Munn Ice Arena for the entire month of the initiative.
We encourage fans to share signs and shows of support on social media by using the hashtag #SpartansFullStrength (and please tag @MSU_Hockey on both Instagram and X!)
The Spartan hockey staff will wear Spartans Full Strength logo throughout the month, and player helmets will feature helmet stickers.
The Swistak Memorial Fund, along with other cancer awareness charities and healthcare organizations, will have tables at home games throughout the month.

Michigan State's Nov. 21 game in Plymouth against the US National Team Development Program will also tie into the Spartans Full Strength initiative. A portion of every ticket sold to MSU's game against the U18 squad will go to the family of Matt and Kelly Deschamps.

More About the Swistak Memorial Fund
The Swistak Memorial Fund supports several local and nationwide initiatives, which include supporting the Esophageal Cancer Action Network (ECAN), partnering with the Rainbow Connection, which grants wishes for Michigan children facing life-threatening medical conditions, has sponsored the team physician's suite as part of the recently completed Munn Arena renovation project, and also sponsors the Steve Swistak Memorial Endowment Scholarship for the hockey program – awarded to the Spartan who exhibits hard work, dedication, teamwork, and grit.

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