Monday, April 20, 2026

Take a peek behind the curtain and test drive the NEW StateNews.com today!

Sports | 1000

SPORTS

Men's tennis upset, winless in conference

The No. 44 MSU men's tennis team was victim to a 4-3 upset at No. 56 Penn State on Sunday. The Spartans doubles team of senior Chris Mitchell and junior Andrew Formanczyk to move to 18-9 for the season, but it was the only doubles win MSU would earn. Freshman Joseph McWilliams, junior Cameron Marshall and Mitchell each earned singles wins for the Spartans, who drop to 13-7 overall, 0-2 Big Ten. In the Big Ten opener at Ohio State on Saturday, MSU fell to No.

SPORTS

Krzyminski shatters school track record

Senior Jamie Krzyminski saw a record-breaking run Friday at the Stanford Invitational. Krzyminski, who was the lone representative of the MSU women's track team at the Invitational, placed second at the meet.

SPORTS

Gale, Spartans sweep, shut out competition

Despite an unscheduled double-header against Western Illinois, the MSU baseball team pulled out two victories - including one shutout - on Saturday at Kobs Field. The first game was a shutout with a score of 14-0, while the second game was neck-and-neck, with two runs in the bottom of the ninth leading to an 8-7 win.

BASKETBALL

Mr. Basketball makes mark

In front of a Breslin Center crowd that was buzzing with anticipation Saturday, Drew Neitzel, MSU's point guard of the future and recently-crowned Mr. Basketball of Michigan, scored 36 points and showed why he could be the missing ingredient for the Spartans next season. It was the biggest game of Neitzel's high school career, and it was on the biggest stage.

ICE HOCKEY

Slater places team success over his own

Esther Gim
March 26, 2004

MSU junior captain Jim Slater says this season hasn't been a good year for him. It's not enough that he leads the MSU hockey team in points, with 48, and ranks as one of the top 10 in the nation. It's not enough the Lapeer native has registered 15 points in the past 11 games. And it just might not be enough that a 2004 All-CCHA First Team member was recently named one of 10 finalists for college hockey's most prestigious individual award - the Hobey Baker. Slater still isn't satisfied with what he's done. "I went through a drought from November to January," Slater said.

BASEBALL

Spartans beat Grand Valley 13-8 in home opener, improve record to 5-10

The MSU baseball team broke out its bats and showed the potential to be an exciting team in its home opener against Grand Valley State University at Kobs Field on Thursday. The Spartans (5-10) hit four home runs on their way to a 13-8 win over Grand Valley (12-7). "We've got a lot of big strong guys," head coach Ted Mahan said.

BASKETBALL

25th anniversary of championship today

Chris Mackinder
March 26, 2004

A beaming smile graced Earvin "Magic" Johnson's face as the scissors in his hand snipped the final piece of the net in Salt Lake City. The Spartans were champions. It was 25 years ago today the Spartans were national champions for the first time, captivating the nation and changing college hoops in East Lansing. "The first thing in memory is that it did revolutionize college basketball," said Billy Packer, a current analyst for CBS and broadcaster for the '79 championship game.

SPORTS

Ex-Spartan shines in the pros

Esther Gim
March 26, 2004

One of the biggest losses the MSU hockey team suffered following last season was the graduation of defenseman John-Michael Liles. A confident kid with a constant smile on his face, according to MSU head coach Rick Comley, the Zionsville, Ind., native plays for the Colorado Avalanche and is in contention for the Calder Trophy, awarded to the NHL's Rookie of the Year. Michel Goulet, Vice President of Player Personnel for Colorado, said Liles is day-to-day with a bruised knee injury he suffered Tuesday.

SOFTBALL

'U' to host Valpo in home opener

Returning home to Old College Field after more than a month of road games, the MSU softball team (15-10) begins its home schedule against Valparaiso (3-8) on Saturday. MSU looks to improve upon its 0-3 record when facing nationally ranked opponents this year with the start of their home schedule and Big Ten Conference games. Head coach Jacquie Joseph conceded the team has dropped a couple of games they could have pulled out, but added that they are in a good position for this time of the year. "We are exactly where I thought we would be," she said.

SPORTS

Former 'U', Red Wings stars come to Lansing

Scott Bartosiewicz
March 25, 2004

The Grand Ledge Education Foundation will host a hockey matchup on Saturday between former Detroit Red Wings stars, local high school hockey players and local celebrities. Former Red Wings players will take the ice first, facing the combined high school varsity teams from Grand Ledge and Lansing Waverly.

SPORTS

Former Spartan hurt in Blackhawks game

Esther Gim
March 25, 2004

Former Spartans defenseman and Hobey Baker finalist John-Michael Liles, currently with the Colorado Avalanche, suffered a right knee injury in Tuesday's game against the Chicago Blackhawks. In the Avalanche's 2-2 tie with the Blackhawks, Liles got tangled with Scott Nichol in the third period and had to be helped off the ice.

FOOTBALL

Coach to take part in July safari to Africa

Evan Rondeau
March 25, 2004

John L. Smith is excited, and not just because he's looking forward to the start of spring practice. The Spartans' head football coach will get the opportunity to ascend 19,341 feet to the top of Africa's tallest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. "To be on Mount Kilimanjaro, watching the sun come up while sitting on a glacier, it's a moment to take your breath away," he said.