Earvin "Magic" Johnson, step aside. There are two new all-time great Spartans on campus - hospitality business professors Ronald Cichy and Michael Kasavana.

The two are inaugural members of a sort of vending machine industry hall of fame. The National Automatic Merchandising Association named Cichy and Kasavana and 26 others in the field to its first-ever class of certified executives.

"It's always wonderful to be first," said Cichy. "It shows the prestige and stature MSU has nationwide."

Cichy and Kasavana helped put the university at the forefront of vending technologies with their research on concept machines such as those found in the Main Library and Wells Hall. At those outlets students can use their credit cards to purchase Staples-brand office supplies, including pens, notebooks and AA batteries - the hottest seller.

Kasavana and Cichy are some of the vending industry's most renowned names, said Dan Mathews, senior vice president and chief executive of the association. They advise professionals worldwide and are featured presenters at the association's Executive Development Program held this week at MSU's Henry Center for Executive Development.

The pair is working to enhance what Kasavana calls the tarnished reputation of the vending industry. The professor coined the phrase "V-Commerce" for the advances in technology that have helped to establish vending as a profession.

Vending machines will become more accessible, as buyers can use credit cards, e-mail and cell phones to make their purchases, he said.