Wednesday, December 31, 2025

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NEWS

Around the Big Ten

Chicago — It was a bittersweet occasion for Pat Fitzgerald at this month's Big Ten football media day. On one hand, Fitzgerald had just been named head coach of Northwestern's football program on July 7, becoming the youngest coach in Division 1-A, at the age of 31. But on the other hand, Fitzgerald knew he was only given the opportunity because former Wildcats head coach Randy Walker unexpectedly died on June 29 at the age of 52 after a successful seven-year stint as the head of Northwestern's football program. "It's an honor to be here to represent our football family (and) to continue the likes of what Randy Walker created at Northwestern," Fitzgerald said.

MSU

First class graduates from new program

After finishing a grueling 765-hours of course work in one year, the first class graduated from MSU's accelerated nursing program. In its trial year, the College of Nursing's accelerated second degree program had 44 nurses finish and held the graduation ceremony Friday. The program is offered to students who already have one degree in nursing.

NEWS

Fresh face forward

After a disappointing first-round loss in the Big Ten Championships last season, a younger Spartans field hockey squad is looking to make a statement this fall and cement its legacy under new head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof. The team, which established itself as one of the best in the country under former coach Michele Madison, will take the field this year minus its two All-American starters — goalkeeper Christina Kirkaldy and forward Michelle Huynh-Ba.

NEWS

New field hockey coach ready to challenge players, staff

When MSU's field hockey team lost long-time head coach Michele Madison to the University of Virginia last spring, the program didn't have to look far for someone to step into the top spot. Rolf van de Kerkhof, who spent seven seasons as assistant coach under Madison, is ready to make a name for himself and his Spartans team, looking to put the program back in the national spotlight after last year's merely average season.

NEWS

Smith: Team confident about season

The pressure is building for John L. Smith. The Spartans' football head coach has his hands full trying to put the pieces together for a successful season this year in East Lansing. In his fourth year at MSU, Smith's August preparations for the fall should be rather routine by now.

MSU

Campus obstacles

Many of the orange construction signs littering campus will disappear this week, an absence welcomed by travelers both on and off the road.

NEWS

Haynes picked for Foreign Tour

Senior MSU baller Rene Haynes was selected to play for the 2006 Big Ten Women's Basketball Foreign Tour Team. She is ready for the chance to represent both the league and her team in an international setting. "I'm just excited to play and represent the Big Ten," Haynes said. Haynes and the rest of the Big Ten team will trek along the Scandinavian landscape to compete with international teams and get a taste of overseas culture. "I'm excited to, you know, go to a new place and a new area," Haynes said. Haynes' résumé speaks for itself.

NEWS

Musical affair

A first-rate musical starring diverse players from around the world was on location in downtown East Lansing for anybody looking for a reason to clap their hands and shuffle their feet — rated G, for all audiences. Starting Friday night, the Great Lakes Folk Festival was the main local attraction of the weekend, with bands providing clips of their musical heritage through Sunday evening. Concertgoers didn't even have to show up early to get matinee prices — the three-day outdoor festival was free — but many fans did show up early because they were so excited. "I'm psyched to the hear the Cajun/Zydeco music," said Haslett resident Heather Dykstra, 37, while sitting on a blanket on opening night. Dykstra and her husband watched their two young children, ages 2 and 5, play in the volleyball court's sand while an Indian Sarod act, Aditya Verma, was setting up on the Valley Court stage. This was Dykstra's first experience with the festival, and besides enjoying the music, she was happy just to have an opportunity to dance with her children in a friendly setting. After allowing her kids time to play in their own little beach haven, Dykstra pulled them toward the Dance Stage in a wheelbarrow to shake a leg to Ron Likovic's Slovenian Polka tunes. Not only were crowd members getting into the different acts, but fellow musicians were digging each other's tunes all weekend. Twenty-two-year-old guitar player Julian Primeaux for Lil' Nathan & the Zydeco Big-Timers said Sunday that he really fancied the Juke Joint Swing set put on by Wayne Hancock Saturday night and generally thought all the acts really had it together. Primeaux's band was unique to the scene because it was the only Zydeco band performing.

COMMENTARY

Freedom shouldn't be taken for granted

Drew Robert Winter makes the case that the president is a tyrant in his column, "'Freedom,' as defined by Bush, only infringes on people's rights," (SN 8/2). I've been hearing this accusation since 2000, when President Bush "stole" the presidential election.