Burns, now a biosystems engineering freshman, went to every home football game this year and made trips to Ann Arbor University Park, Pa., and Evanston, Ill., to watch games.

Now, he and his family have one final destination and one final game in one of the best seasons in MSU football history — Orlando, Fla., for the Capital One Bowl.

“I’ve been going to football games ever since I can remember,” said Burns. “This whole year, they have had a presence about them going into big games and (coming) out with a win.”

For the third time in four seasons, the MSU football team will play in a postseason bowl game in Orlando. And for the second time in three years, MSU is the Big Ten representative in the Capital One Bowl, which kicks off at 1 p.m. vs. Alabama at Citrus Bowl Stadium.

But this is the first time the team will go there as Big Ten champions.

Students such as Burns, as well as alumni and fans from across the Spartan nation, already have turned out in large numbers, snatching up tickets and hotel reservations.

Scott Westerman, the MSU Alumni Association, or MSUAA, executive director, said the response from alumni exceeded his expectation from as soon as the game was announced.

“The only bowl game that would have higher interest right now is the Rose Bowl,” he said. “Our projections for what would happen for the Rose Bowl are happening now.”

MSU sold about 9,000 of the 12,000 allotted tickets within two days of the official announcement MSU would play the Capital One Bowl, Westerman said.

“This is the fastest sales pace since our 1988 Rose Bowl appearance,” he said.

Something to prove

After the three-way tie for the Big Ten championship left MSU out of a BCS bowl game, some fans, such as music education junior Ryan Fountain, were left disappointed.

Fountain, a former member of the Spartan Marching Band, made the trip to the Capital One Bowl two years ago and the Alamo bowl last year. He had hoped to add the Rose Bowl to that list this year.

“It’s unfortunate, that’s for sure, not making the Rose Bowl and not making a BCS game, but we’ll make the best of it,” he said.

Although he will not be performing, Fountain is a member of the band’s crew and he still plans to attend the bowl, this time amongst the crowd. Fountain is one of many fans who will put their support on display not just for the team, but for the entire nation.

“This is really a demonstration of the Spartan nation and how we represent for a big game like this,” Westerman said. “They are standing up and showing up.”

Any students or alumni interested can call the athletic ticket office or go on its website to buy a ticket in the MSU section. All tickets are $80 and must be picked up at will call at the Citrus Bowl Stadium to prevent tickets from being resold, a representative from the MSU ticket office said.

Though sales have been strong, Associate Athletic Director Paul Schager stressed the importance of attending the game.

“As Big Ten champions, they’ve earned the support and we (are) looking forward to seeing them go for one more win,” he said.

Familiar ground

With the football team making such frequent appearances at Citrus Bowl Stadium, MSU fans and the Orlando area have become familiar with each other.

Music education senior Simon Horloweiko will make his second trip to the Capital One Bowl with the Spartan Marching Band.

The band’s schedule hasn’t been finalized, but in the past it has played shows at Universal Studios and Disney World theme parks, Horloweiko said.

“As a collective unit, we’re all looking forward to the warmer weather and it will be a good bonding experience,” he said.

Theme parks aside, MSU has developed a solid business relationship with the city.

Having Spartan fans in Orlando so often also has been beneficial for establishing business relations in the area, Westerman said.

“If you had to pick a place to have a bowl game, other than the Rose Bowl with the Tournament of Roses parade, Orlando is the best,” he said.

Orlando boasts International Drive, which includes attractions, shopping, dining and entertainment. It also is home to Disney World and Universal Studios, both of which are about a 15- to 20-minute drive from the Citrus Bowl Stadium.

Along with permanent businesses in the area, bowl apparel dealers also have a large market among MSU fans. The more often MSU works with the dealers and others involved with the bowl, the easier it becomes, Schager said.

Shannon Clark, senior director of customer relationship management for the Capital One Bowl, said the feeling is mutual.

“They’re great fans, we love having them down in Orlando,” she said. “They love getting out of the cold and into the sunshine.”

Getting there

Despite the strong turnout from MSU faithful, Alabama’s fans have the clear advantage as far as getting to the game, Schager said.

Driving straight from East Lansing is about 20 hours — about twice as long as the drive from Alabama’s campus.

But there are travel and lodging package options for MSU fans interested in making the trip down with their fellow Spartans.

The MSUAA, in partnership with Conlin Athletic Tours, assembled an Orlando tour that includes airfare, transportation and lodging at the Peabody Orlando, the team hotel, Westerman said.

“The great thing about going with the tour is you don’t have to worry about a thing, you just park your car and we take care of everything,” he said. “We have a jet that goes right to Orlando, we pick you up, the hotel is included and tickets to the game are included.”

The single person cost for this tour comes out to $2,379, with reduced prices for group rates.

Spartan Sports Tours also has a number of packages that include travel by bus or plane and a stay at the Orlando Marriott.

Game day

There are events to attend around the bowl and in the city for fans as well.

The Central Florida Alumni Club is hosting a tailgate at the north side of the stadium for all MSU fans, club president Mike Glasby said. Glasby said he anticipates a large MSU turnout at the game and at the pregame tailgate.

“The Michigan State turnout is so overwhelming — other teams in the past haven’t had nearly as many fans,” he said.

There also are numerous bars and restaurants on Wall Street and Church Street in downtown Orlando near the stadium, Glasby said.

The bowl has organized a number of events for the fans during the game and days leading up to it, Clark said.

“(We have) the Orlando Citrus Parade at 11 a.m. on Thursday the 30th in downtown Orlando with the Michigan State band and the Alabama band,” she said. “And FanFest on game day, that’s open to the public with blow ups and games. That’s also where the player walk is, so the fans can see players as they get off the bus.”

Fountain said he is excited for the entire experience that Orlando has to offer and participating in the experience with close friends.

“The band’s really close, we’re all friends (and) hanging out with them in the warm weather is always fun,” he said. “I just hope we get to go the parks again, and for a win of course.”