For several hours before the MSU football team’s 42-39 loss to Wisconsin in the inaugural Big Ten Football Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium, Spartan fans painted the city of Indianapolis green and white.
The MSU faithful traveled far and wide to support their team, and Interstate 69 was crawling with cars sporting Spartan colors and messages of encouragement.
Fruitport, Mich., resident Nate Herrygers said he traveled about five hours with family members, arriving in the city at about noon. From there, he explored the city and noticed MSU was well-represented.
“We went to Kilroy’s Bar N’ Grill, and it was filled with (Michigan) State fans. It was insane,” he said. “I’ve seen some red here and there, but mostly it’s been State fans.”
However, some fans, such as 1985 alumna Rondi Wightman, had a much shorter trip to Indianapolis. Wightman and her husband traveled from Porter, Ind., to meet up with friends and go to the game.
She said she enjoyed some back-and-forth with her Wisconsin-supporting friends and was pleased with the atmosphere in the city.
Wightman said the choice to make the trip was a no-brainer.
“My husband and I have been season ticket holders for two years, and we decided we weren’t going to miss this,” she said.
MSU fans also had the option of attending the Spartan Nation Pep Rally, held down the street from the stadium in the Indianapolis Convention Center, 100 S. Capitol Ave.
The pep rally allowed fans to gather and enjoy drinks and food while meeting with other fans and get excited for the upcoming game. The Spartan Marching Band made a brief appearance, playing the “Michigan State Fight Song” and alma mater while the crowd cheered and clapped along.
MSU athletic director Mark Hollis spoke at the rally along with several Spartan coaches and president Lou Anna K. Simon.
“I have received emails and notes from Spartans from across the world who are going to watch (the team) tonight,” Simon told the crowd to eruptions of applause. “And (they tell me) that tonight is their night, our night, to go back to the Rose Bowl.”
Although Simon’s prediction eventually would come up short, the Spartans still were well-represented in Indianapolis.
Numerous MSU supporters were seen milling about the downtown area before the game, leaving an impression on no-preference freshman Ryan Owen.
“The atmosphere here is pretty unreal,” Owen said. “Obviously, it’s not like this in East Lansing, so coming here on this big of a scale is pretty cool.”
“It seems like everywhere I walk around here I hear ‘Go Green, go White’ chants. I see green everywhere.”
Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
