So this was 2001, huh?
With only one more week of classes and less than a month to 2002, it’s time to remember the highs and lows of MSU athletics this past year.
Topping this year’s chart with gold stars:
Ryan Miller - Because the junior goaltender won the second Hobey Baker award in MSU history, following in the footsteps of his cousin Kip Miller. And Miller’s not just exciting to watch, doesn’t just crush 70-year-old records, but by all accounts, he’s a nice guy, too.
Ron Mason - Because the men’s hockey head coach earned his 900th win on Oct. 20 and continues his reign as college hockey’s winningest coach. After taking MSU to the Frozen Four last year and supporting and planning “The Cold War,” he has brought hockey a more prominent profile at MSU.
Tom Izzo - Because it’s impossible to not plaster Izzo with a gold star of his own. The men’s basketball head coach has completely rehauled the program. Just listen to the expectations of the fans, the media and the coaches themselves and you’ll see what Izzo’s hard work has accomplished.
Marcus Taylor - Because the young sophomore guard has taken on the task of living up to all those expectations and so far, hasn’t buckled under the pressure.
Coach Joe Baum and the men’s soccer team - Because the team made the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 32 years and advanced to the second round. Only Indiana, which hadn’t given up a goal in 473:16 of play, could stop the Spartans.
Ryan Van Dyke - Because the senior quarterback missed out on his final season at MSU and ended his career and its barrage of unusual injuries with a positive attitude. And for helping sophomore quarterback Jeff Smoker learn his trade.
Erin Hartley - Because the senior volleyball player ended her storied career with consistency and strong leadership. Hartley led MSU to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and finished at fifth all-time on the MSU career chart for kills.
Coach Michele Madison and the women’s field hockey team - Because the team was the best in its MSU history, winning the Big Ten title and making it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Carly Weiden and Summer Mitchell - Because the two MSU divers placed in the top three at the Big Ten Championships last spring. The two were also the only members of the MSU Swimming and Diving Team to advance to the U.S. Nationals.
Charles Rogers and Herb Haygood - Because the sophomore and senior wide receivers have made this an exciting season for MSU football, whether or not the final record shows it.
T.J. Duckett - Because although the junior tailback may not be a Heisman Trophy candidate like Spartans fans would like, he’s still our biggest threat in every game. And because he made all of our lives very, very good on Nov. 3 with his touchdown catch and his 211 yards rushing.
Julie Pagel - Because with her emotion, determination and spunk she’s a dream to interview and fun to watch on the court. She’s taking the MSU women’s basketball team places.
And the black stars go to:
Bobby Williams - For never fully explaining why he recruited and signed a player who had criminal sexual charges brought against him. MSU fans deserved an in-depth reason why it was valuable to associate the school with someone who had a questionable criminal background - no matter what the final court decision may have been.
And because people say Eric Knott seems like a smart kid - he should have had the chance to explain his side of the story to the confused and angry MSU fans.
Cedric Henry, Shawn Foster and Marcus Waters - For failing to be academically eligible for this year’s football team.
David Schaefer - The MSU kicker seems like a nice enough guy, but if he had been accurate at the beginning of the season, the Spartans may not be playing in an at-large bowl.
Zach Randolph - For leaving the MSU men’s basketball team before he was ready and before the fans were ready to let him go. I’d give his former teammate, Jason Richardson, a black star too, but Richardson had at least proved himself at the collegiate level. Randolph split and had little besides potential to back it up.
Krista Latham, the State News sports editor, can be reached at lathamkr@msu.edu.
