MSU Hockey's 'Spartans Full Strength' Campaign Returns Throughout November
11/4/2025 3:23:00 PM | Men's Ice Hockey
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State hockey will put a spotlight on cancer awareness and honor those who have been affected by the disease in its annual "Spartans Full Strength" initiative, in partnership with the Stephen Swistak Memorial Fund, which will run throughout the month of November.
Swistak played for the Spartans for four seasons (2000-04), going 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. He passed away June 11, 2015.
Learn More about the Swistak Memorial Fund | Donate to the Swistak Memorial Fund
Throughout the month of November, there will be initiatives at all six Michigan State hockey home games, including games against Penn State (Nov. 7-8), Wisconsin (Nov. 21-22) and Colgate (Nov. 26, 28).
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.
Swistak played for the Spartans for four seasons (2000-04), going 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. He passed away June 11, 2015.
Learn More about the Swistak Memorial Fund | Donate to the Swistak Memorial Fund
Throughout the month of November, there will be initiatives at all six Michigan State hockey home games, including games against Penn State (Nov. 7-8), Wisconsin (Nov. 21-22) and Colgate (Nov. 26, 28).
- We invite fans to wear lavender/purple ribbons to all 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 the Spartans Full Strength logo throughout the month, and player helmets will feature helmet stickers.
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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