Magic Johnson Statue is pictured on a snowy day on Michigan State University's Campus in East Lansing, Michigan, on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026.
Last Friday, a wave of bitterly cold weather washed over East Lansing with temperatures reaching as low as -13 degrees Fahrenheit.
MSU Athletics, along with the Izzone and Munnsters student sections, told students not to line up outside for last weekend’s men’s basketball and hockey games.
Last Friday and Saturday, MSU faced Minnesota at Munn Ice Arena. Students were not allowed to line up outside until 15 minutes before doors open — 5:45 p.m. on Friday and 4:45 p.m. on Saturday.
The same policy was in effect at the Breslin Center for Saturday’s men’s basketball game against Maryland. Students were not permitted to line up until 15 minutes before doors open, which was at 10:45 a.m. ahead of the noon tipoff.
The U.S. National Weather Service had issued an extreme cold warning for East Lansing from 10 p.m. Thursday to 11 a.m. Saturday. Before Saturday’s game, temperatures were expected to be near 0 degrees Fahrenheit, with a wind chill of minus 8. At 9 a.m., temperatures could be as low as minus 9 degrees. In such conditions, exposed skin can develop frostbite within 30 minutes.
Graduate forestry major Parker Hopkins attended the women’s basketball game Thursday night in 0-degree wind chills and said he planned to attend the men’s game Saturday as well. Hopkins said he will drive to the game and park nearby shortly before doors open to avoid the frigid temperatures.
MSU sent the Munnsters section members an email explaining the rules for waiting outside.
Senior games and interactive media major Dana Winslow is a Munnsters student section leader and posted MSU’s message on the Munnsters’ Instagram story. MSU did not provide information on how the rules would be enforced on game day to those involved with the Munnsters.
“I believe that people’s health is more important than a seat at a hockey game,” Winslow said.
The State News contacted MSU to ask how the university plans to enforce the rules but did not receive a response.
Sophomore Izzone student section leader Noah Shinn said, despite warnings, he believes students will still brave the weather to be one of the first fans inside.
“I think a lot of people will sit out there and just hope for the best, I really do," Shinn said.
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