If all you want for the holidays is a ticket to the Champs Sports Bowl – and you’re one of the lucky few that gets one – then get ready to ditch the winter coat for your MSU football gear and enjoy the Florida weather. While the Dec. 28 matchup between MSU and Boston College is the reason for your southern vacation, there’s more to do in Orlando than watch the Green and White.
Here’s a day-by-day itinerary on what to do while you’re not singing the MSU fight song.
Dec. 27
Morning/afternoon: Head to the airport, board the plane and sit back and relax for a few hours. Bring along a laptop so while you’re flying you can go over box scores from BC’s previous games this year and figure out what the key matchups are. Or you can watch a DVD. Whatever floats your boat.
Arrival: Chances are the pop and the small snack didn’t hit the spot, so after you gather your luggage, rent a car and get to your hotel to prepare for dinner.
Dinner: MSU isn’t the only team bowling and tonight hosts an intriguing matchup between Arizona State (10-2) and Texas (9-3). In the spirit of the Champs Sports Bowl being shown on ESPN, head to Downtown Disney’s ESPN Club to watch the game. Don’t be afraid to call it an early night though – you have a big day tomorrow.
Dec. 28
Forget Mickey Mouse and Shamu, today is about football. Head down to the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium to grill burgers, tip back some beverages and soak in the atmosphere with your fellow Spartan fans. If you don’t know where to go, the MSU Alumni Association is holding a pregame pep rally at Tinker Field from 2-4 p.m. To register go to msualum.com.
Whatever you do before the game, make sure to find your way into the stadium and be ready to root for the Spartans at the 5 p.m. kickoff.
Dec. 29
Morning/afternoon: It’s been a while since the Spartans have been in a bowl game, so chances are you had a rough night following the game, regardless of the outcome. That means it’s a perfect day to be lazy and enjoy the warm weather, so head to one of the many beaches in Florida to tan and swim. St. Petersburg is an hour and a half away from Orlando and Daytona Beach is about an hour-long drive.
Night: With MSU’s football season officially over, it’s time to concentrate on basketball. What better way to get into the basketball spirit than watching one of the top teams in the NBA, the Orlando Magic.
The game has an MSU flavor to it too, as former Spartan standout Jason Richardson and the Charlotte Bobcats visit the Magic at 7 p.m. at Amway Arena.
Dec. 30
Sadly, vacation has finally ended and it’s time to head back to the snow. Pack up your MSU apparel, foam finger and official game program and head to the airport. Hopefully it’s been a memorable experience watching the Spartans in the postseason.
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