Bell, part of MSU’s famed “Flintstones”, was among the more recognizable athletes of the 2015 hall of fame class. Bell played in 140 games for the men’s basketball program, producing 1,468 points, and helping the Spartans reach three straight Final Fours and win an NCAA Championship in 2000.

Andre Rison, who helped guide MSU to its first Rose Bowl appearance and victory since 1966, took a timeout to emphasize the meaning of the night.

“It means a lot but I think it means a lot more to my parents, my brothers and sisters, my deceased grandparents,”  Rison said. 

“This is their day as well, this one of the all time trophies, and I’ll embrace it with welcome arms.”

Among the more unfamiliar faces in the crowd, but perhaps with the most intriguing story, was Pat Milkovich. A wrestler from 1972-76, Milkovich became the youngest national champion in NCAA history when he won in the 126 pound weight class in 1972. Even more impressive, he was a walk-on with no offers.

“It’s a culmination of lots of hard work, sacrifices, and suffering. I was a 17 year old non-scholarship walk on when I set foot on campus here,” Milkovich said. 

“This kind of stuff doesn’t happen to me, it happens to guys in other sports.”

Milkovich was humbled by the whole ordeal. If it wasn’t for his for motivation to be better than everyone and walk the straight line in the face of peer pressure, he believes he wouldn’t have been standing here today.

“It’s an incredible honor. Nobody sets out to be in the hall of fame, like I say I would expect it of other people, I wouldn’t expect me to be here but, here I am,” Milkovich said.

For Mary Kay Intyre, who produced 1,189 points in 80 career games for the women’s basketball program, the chance to be recognized for playing the game she loved was overwhelming.

“It’s just an incredible honor, to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. I don’t think it gets much better than that,” Intyre said.

Intyre said her team helped to shape some of her most memorable times at MSU.

“The teammates were great, the coach was great, the education was great, it set me up and prepared me for life and for my future careers," she said.

Mike York, one of MSU Hockey’s all time greats, couldn’t attend because of the current hockey season for his German professional team, but was represented by his father Bob, who took a moment to express how proud he was.

“Mike was quite humbled and surprised by the call he got from Mark Hollis over the summer," York said. 

"I’m very proud. Being a part of this whole Michigan State experience, its team, its family, its whole atmosphere here and it’s quited humbled and quite proud."

Mike York was a two time First Team All-America selection and a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award twice. York produced 201 points in his Spartan Hockey career.

Doug Weaver, represented by his two sons, Doug Jr. and Matt, had a very distinguished MSU life both as a football player and as an athletic director. For Matt and Doug Jr. this night meant something special. They both grew up around MSU and living out the values instilled by their father.

“We grew up hearing about being a Spartan, we spent our life thinking about that," Doug Weaver Jr. said. 

"To have dad, who gave his time and energy and effort into this, recognized it’s an honor, it’s really cool. No matter where we went, Michigan State was off in the back of our minds.

“It’s a huge honor. We grew up and dad’s job went from football coach and athletic director and we were proud of him then and now to see that honored by his alma mater is pretty amazing,” Matt Weaver said.