Saturday, April 20, 2024

Spartan fans showing support in Spokane

March 20, 2014
<p>Spokane, Wash., resident and MSU alum John Legg walks around Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena on March 20, 2014. He moved to Spokane after graduation. Betsy Agosta/The State News</p>

Spokane, Wash., resident and MSU alum John Legg walks around Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena on March 20, 2014. He moved to Spokane after graduation. Betsy Agosta/The State News

Photo by Betsy Agosta | The State News

SPOKANE, Wash., — There’s more than 2,000 miles between Spokane Arena and Breslin Center, but that hasn’t stopped Spartan fans from showing up for the Big Dance.

Decked out in his retro Earvin “Magic” Johnson jersey, green and white striped pants, an MSU flag as a cape and a Spartan jester hat, John Legg might be the most passionate fan in the place. He's certainly ready to see MSU take on Delaware in the NCAA Tournament.

Originally from Battle Creek, Mich., Legg graduated from MSU in 2008 and moved to Chicago before settling down in Spokane.

“I was going ecstatic when the tournament bracket was announced and they were out here,” Legg said. “I didn’t think there was any way they’d get a (No. 4) seed and be out here.”

Walking around the concourse at Spokane Arena, there was plenty of green and white to be seen. There were even some blue and yellow Michigan fans walking around.

The green ratio may be a little bit skewed as the users and volunteers at the arena are all wearing Spartan green.

Legg said he was surprised at the amount of Spartans already in the arena, and said that most of the fans he’s talked to came from Idaho or Montana.

“In Seattle there’s a little of it, but in Spokane — (former MSU coach) Jud Heathcote lives here and I’ve seen him at Gonzaga games and that whole connection,” he said. “There is an alumni association here, but they don’t watch the games.”

Legg attended the Rose Bowl and plans to go to Oregon, when the MSU football team plays there later this year.

He can remember the last time MSU was in Spokane, when Korie Lucious hit a buzzer beating three-pointer to top Maryland.

Legg went to MSU’s next games in St. Louis and followed them to Indianapolis for the Final Four.

As for how far he’s planning to follow them this year?

“I have Final Four tickets,” he said.

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