Monday, January 12, 2026

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SPORTS

Spikers defeat Purdue, lose to Illinois

The MSU volleyball team continues to struggle in the Big Ten.The No. 22 Spartans split their weekend matches, losing to Illinois (6-15, 15-4, 12-15, 15-1, 12-15) on Friday, then rebounding to beat Purdue (15-6, 10-15, 15-5, 15-6) on Saturday.Through 14 Big Ten games the Spartans (14-9, 7-7 Big Ten) are still in sixth place.

SPORTS

Smoker faces rabid attack of Buckeye blitzes, sacks

COLUMBUS, Ohio - For all the success he’s had this season, Jeff Smoker is only a freshman and his youth showed against Ohio State.After MSU (4-5 overall, 1-5 Big Ten) jumped ahead 13-3 in the first quarter, the Buckeyes (7-2, 4-2) began blitzing the first-year quarterback from Manheim, Pa., disrupting Smoker and the MSU offense en route to a 27-13 defeat of the Spartans.“They didn’t blitz too much early,” Smoker said.

SPORTS

Fumbling in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Ohio - For the first quarter Saturday, the Spartans put their scoring woes behind them. MSU scored touchdowns on its first two drives of the game, and were dominating the line of scrimmage to the tune of 115 total yards and a 13-3 advantage after 15 minutes of play.Then, as has been the theme all season, the Spartans (4-5 overall, 1-5 Big Ten) succumbed to mistake-laden football, resulting in a 27-13 loss to Ohio State (7-2, 4-2).MSU was clinging to a 10-point lead when senior safety Richard Newsome intercepted Buckeye quarterback Steve Bellisari’s pass at Ohio State’s 34-yard line with 11:18 remaining in the second quarter.

SPORTS

Williford learns from setbacks in U career

Sometimes sports fans get so wrapped up in the glitz and glamour of big time college athletics they forget intercollegiate athletics is more than just entertainment - it is a tool used to shape athletes as people.The core of this process can be seen more clearly when looking at athletes like MSU senior forward Steve Williford, who plays soccer - a nonrevenue sport where the media does not cake-on layers of hype.“I think I learned the most in life through soccer,” Williford said.

MICHIGAN

Lansing Web site offers updated information

LANSING - With election day coming, Lansing City Clerk Marilynn Slade is anticipating a slew of phone calls from residents who don’t know where to vote.But that could change.Along with other changes to the city of Lansing’s Web site, the page for the city clerk has added a feature where residents can find their precinct location.“Anybody that’s registered to vote in the city of Lansing can put their street address and find where to vote,” Slade said.

FEATURES

Lansing Civic Players present Anne Frank

The Lansing Civic Players create an intriguing historical tale in their retelling of “The Diary of Anne Frank.” Based on a true story, the Players use portions of Anne’s diary to narrate the play, chronicling the lives of Anne’s family and others as they hide from Hitler’s discriminatory laws and concentration camps during the Holocaust. Sharing a cramped two-level apartment are Anne (Kristin Shields); Mr. Frank (Todd Heywood); Mrs. Frank (Elizabeth Cummings); Anne’s sister, Margot (Lindsey Stakoe); Mr. Van Daan (Tom Klunzinger); Mrs. Van Daan (Linda Granger); their son, Peter (Ryan Mahaney) and Mr. Dussell (Bill Gordon), a dentist. The eight seek refuge in Mr. Frank’s employer’s attic, as they live in constant fear and are forced to sit and wait until the Nazi rule is over. Under constant scrutiny, the characters must watch their every step and live by a schedule.

COMMENTARY

Alaskas Proposal 5 blows smoke in governments face

If it passes or goes up in smoke, a proposal on the Alaskan ballot will plant a seed in the minds of Alaskan voters - challenging their positions on the use of an illegal substance. Alaskan voters will decide Tuesday whether to prohibit state enforcement of marijuana laws.

COMMENTARY

U shouldnt cut mens athletics

MSU is a member of the prestigious Big Ten Conference. It is an embarrassment that our institution must resort to cutting men’s programs. Title IX was established to “promote gender equity in athletics,” to ensure female athletes the same opportunities as males.

COMMENTARY

U cant cheer for other colleges

I am writing in response to James Jahnke’s column about his Ohio State Buckeye loyalties (“It’s OK to be a huge Buckeyes fan in East Lansing,” SN 11/2). I have just four words for you, sir: Give me a break.

SPORTS

Pistons can improve on team image

The names are synonymous with winning. James “Buddha” Edwards, Vinny “The Microwave” Johnson, Dennis “The Worm” Rodman, John “Spider” Salley, Isaiah “Zeke” Thomas, Bill “Lambo” Laimbeer, Rick “Bad Boy” Mahorn and of course, Joe Duuuuuuuuumars.Rodman smothering opponents with clutch defense, Laimbeer exchanging pleasantries with the referees after controversial calls, Rick Mahorn banging opponents to the ground with his hefty posterior - those were the good ol’ days.

MSU

Clown shows alcohol risks

Putting on face paint, riding a unicycle and juggling may not seem like proper ways to get the message out about the dangers of drugs and alcohol - but Bill Ross gets the job done. The clown, juggler and professional actor will be bringing his talents to MSU today for his show, “Last Call: A Sobering Look at Alcohol Abuse.” The 8 p.m.

MSU

Sorority remembers U student with tournament

It’s been three years since psychology freshman Karen King was murdered while on winter break.And on Sunday, several fraternities, sororities and athletes came to campus to remember Saginaw’s King - and to play some soccer.The Chi Omega sorority sponsored the first annual Karen King Chi Omega Kick Off, with 17 fraternities participating.

NEWS

Stars hit campus in Dem campaign

Vice President Al Gore might not be asking President Clinton to campaign much for him these days.But that didn’t stop the Democrat presidential nominee from enlisting the help of television’s most popular commander in chief.Martin Sheen, who plays President Josiah Bartlet in NBC’s award-winning TV drama “The West Wing,” strolled onto campus Saturday to stump for Gore and several Michigan Democrats involved in high-stake races.“As acting president of the United States of America, I am glad to announce that Nov.