The former MSU athletes that were inducted: women's golfer Laura Smith, track and field athletes Beth Saylor and Paul Terek, softball pitcher Jessica Bograkos, MSU hockey's Anson Carter and football defensive back Darqueze Dennard.

Smith played for the MSU Women’s golf team from 2006-2010, winning the Mary Fossum Invitational her sophomore year.

She continued her historic run by helping the team to four consecutive NCAA Regional tournament appearances and two NCAA Championships appearances. 

A track and field athlete at MSU from 2008-2013, Saylors earned the title of the most decorated thrower in program history, finishing her collegiate career with three school records in discus, hammer throw and weight throw. 

Terek, another track and field athlete inducted, played at MSU from 1998-2002.

Terek is a former Olympian and Big Ten champion, competing as a U.S. Olympian in the 2004 Athens Olympics. He was an All-Big Ten athlete and 2001 Big Ten Champion in the Pole Vault and Heptathlon, setting the Heptathlon school record with 5,685 points.

A member of the 1965 and 1966 Spartan football teams that were instrumental in the integration of college football, former MSU quarterback Raye was a part of the inductee group Friday. The teams won two straight national and Big Ten championships.

"Some 60 years after the fact, but better late than never," Raye said. "Really proud of the effort to get this done by the committee that will champion this cause and gives all of the teammates that were a part of that 65-66 team, it gives them a chance while they’re still here to smell their flowers. And deservingly so."

From 2001-2004, Bograkos, a pitcher for MSU's women’s softball program, set four all-time records, five single-season records and one single-game record. She also helped lead the team to a 2004 Big Ten championship.

"It’s just an honor to see your name, some of the other amazing legends that are up on that wall. It’s hard to feel deserving to have your name up there, but it is truly such an honor,” Bograkos said.

As a former captain, All-American, Hobey Baker Award finalist and a longtime player at the national level, Carter from Michigan State hockey was another to let the cover fall and reveal a plaque. Carter played for the Spartans from 1992-1996 under Head Coach Ron Mason.

"This is amazing. I think back to 1992 when I first stepped foot on campus; it isn't something I ever thought about," Carter said of his induction. 

Rounding out the 2024 class, Dennard played for MSU football from 2010-2013, where he helped lead the team to a Big Ten championship and three bowl wins, including the Rose Bowl in 2013. Dennard played eight years in the NFL.

"Seeing old faces, making that walk, revealing the plaque, seeing all the names of the people that came . . ." Dennard said. "it’s definitely a blessing."