SPORTS
Sparty will sport an updated ensemble for the Jacksonville State game
The well-known mascot is getting a new suit of armor to show off to his fans.
SPORTS
State News football reporters predict outcomes for the 2014 season
A season full of high expectations and dreams has finally arrived for No.
VOLLEYBALL
Volleyball to play in UAB/Samford Invitational this weekend
The volleyball team will trave to Birmingham, Ala. this weekend to kick off the 2014 season. MSU will play Southeastern Louisiana, Alabama-Birmingham, Jacksonville State and Samford as part of the two day UAB/Samford Tournament. All five squads will participate in a two-day, four-game event at both the UAB and Samford campus.
SPORTS
Cross Country to participate in Jeff Drenth Memorial meet, which honors Walt Drenth's late brother
After only being together for a week at camp and two practices, MSU’s cross county team heads to Mount Pleasant on Friday to participate in a memorial meet, in honor the Head Coach Walt Drenth’s brother Jeff.Jeff became an international level distance runner during his time at Central Michigan, where he graduated in 1983. In 1986, he passed away due to heart failure, which sparked the interest in creating this memorial meet in his honor.The Jeff Drenth Memorial meet has been hosted annually as MSU’s season kick-off during the Friday before Labor Day at Central Michigan since 1986. Walt Drenth uses this meet to assess how the younger athletes will compete the rest of the season.This memorial meet will give athletes “a sense of how we behave and get a better idea of what our expectations are,” Drenth said. “It’s learning to do things differently — they may have had different set-ups in high school.”According to Drenth, the majority of teams that MSU will compete against the rest of the season will not travel to Central Michigan, giving the underclassmen athletes a chance to ease into college competition.MSU’s Cross Country and Track and Field program was recently ranked eighth in the annual USTFCCCA Program of the Year standings. The combination of both sports in one program utilizes both sets and allows them to compete in various events.“We have a balanced team, particularly on the women’s side, where we have good sprinters, jumpers, throwers, and distance runners. To be recognized like this, you have to score at the nationals in every national contest, whether it be indoor or outdoor,” Drenth said. “For people who are inclined to being part of a full track and field program, this will be intriguing.”As far as Friday goes, the younger athletes will get a taste of what college running is like and will give the higher performing athletes a chance to rest before they travel to Oregon next week.“Our objectives will always be the same — to be the best we can be,” Drenth said.After only being together for a week at camp and two practices, MSU’s cross county team heads to Mount Pleasant on Friday to participate in a memorial meet, in honor the Head Coach Walt Drenth’s brother Jeff.Jeff became an international level distance runner during his time at Central Michigan, where he graduated in 1983. In 1986, he passed away due to heart failure, which sparked the interest in creating this memorial meet in his honor.
MEN'S SOCCER
Men's soccer to begin season this weekend against SMU, Florida International
This weekend marks the beginning of the season for the men’s soccer team. With two games scheduled this weekend — Aug. 29 against SMU and Aug. 31 against Florida International — the team will have a busy weekend.Despite two games this weekend, the team’s current focus is SMU. Despite SMU’s 3-12-2 record in the 2013 season, MSU will not look ahead of the Mustangs.
WOMEN'S SOCCER
Women's soccer will look to continue strong start against Eastern on Friday
Two scorching hot teams are set to collide in a game that will plot MSU’s steady defense against a dangerous Eastern Michigan offense.The Spartans (2-0) will take on Eastern Michigan (2-0) on Friday at 2 p.m.MSU has leaned on its solid defensive play thus far, and senior goalkeeper Courtney Clem has played a major role in the team’s undefeated start.
FOOTBALL
Mark Dantonio on opener against Jacksonville State — "This is a statement game"
Statements are made every day on the football field. They can be as small as getting off a block at the right time or as big as winning the Rose Bowl.
FOOTBALL
Key football players to watch during 2014 season
The last image many students and fans have of the MSU football program was Kyler Elsworth making that diving stop to capture the Spartan’s first Rose Bowl victory since 1988.However, Elsworth is no longer a member of the Spartans, and it’s finally a brand new year for No. 8 MSU. And with the season starting today, it’s time to put Rose Bowl talk on the back burner and take a look ahead at this year’s bunch.
SPORTS
Field hockey to kick season off against Duke and Maine this weekend
Of the many MSU sports kicking off their seasons this weekend, the field hockey team opens their regular season schedule with two home games in three days.While various tailgating festivities are taking place Friday afternoon, Head Coach Helen Knull and her team will be taking on the Duke Blue Devils at 3 p.m.
SPORTS
After historic 2013 season, men's soccer maintains high expectations for 2014
Following a historic 2013 season in which MSU went 14-6-3 , setting the record for the most regular season wins in the in program history, the men’s soccer team will look to build on the recent success and take it a step further this season.
SPORTS
Field Hockey head coach Helen Knull tasked with replacing former goalkeeper stalwart Molly Cassidy
For the last four years, MSU field hockey has never had to worry about who would be blocking goals for them.
SPORTS
Women's soccer goalkeeper Courtney Clem starts 2014 season on strong note
In addition to two road wins against San Diego State and Cal State Fullerton, Courtney Clem returned to East Lansing on Monday with another resume builder ? the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week award.The redshirt senior goaltender recorded 13 saves in Friday night’s season opening 3-1 win at San Diego State.
VOLLEYBALL
Volleyball to play in UAB/Samford Invitational this weekend
The volleyball team will trave to Birmingham, Ala. this weekend to kick off the 2014 season. MSU will play Southeastern Louisiana, Alabama-Birmingham, Jacksonville State and Samford as part of the two day UAB/Samford Tournament. All five squads will participate in a two-day, four-game event at both the UAB and Samford campus.
SPORTS
Intramural and club sports available to new, returning Spartans
Whether a student is a freshman looking to meet new friends or an upper classman trying to stay active, numerous intermural and club sports are offered with quick approaching deadlines.For the fall 2014 semester, Sand Volleyball, Flag Football, Outdoor Soccer, Two Person Best Ball Tournament, Ultimate Frisbee, Tennis Singles and Mixed Doubles, Dodgeball, Two Person Scramble Gold Tournament, Indoor Volleyball and 3 on 3 Basketball will be offered.Teams are “typically formed among friends, dorm neighbors, fraternity brothers and sorority sisters,” Assistant Director of Intermural Sports Ross Winter said.Even with a busy class schedule and a part-time job, participating students only dedicate a few hours for a game once a week for about four weeks, where the season follows single eliminated playoff bracket.
FOOTBALL
R.J. Shelton leapfrogs Macgarrett Kings Jr. in depth chart, could see time at cornerback this season
When the most recent depth chart came out Tuesday morning, there was a surprising addition to the defensive backfield — sophomore wide receiver R.J. Shelton. “He’s too good for us not to have on the field more,” Head Coach Mark Dantonio said when the depth chart was released.
VOLLEYBALL
Underclassmen will play big role in 2014 volleyball season
It can be hard to replace record-setters and All-Americans, but the MSU volleyball team will attempt to do just that in 2014.All-Americans Lauren Wicinski and Alexis Mathews have graduated, but the high expectations are still there.
FOOTBALL
Mylan Hicks listed as starter on Jacksonville State football depth chart
MSU football released its first post preseason depth chart Tuesday, and there were a few unexpected changes, including a few fresh faces cracking the starting lineup.One of the biggest surprises found on the depth chart was senior Mylan Hicks as a starter at the star, or weakside, linebacker position.
FOOTBALL
MSU dedicates completion of the North End Zone of Spartan Stadium
For months, students and staff have seen the Northern End Zone entrance at Spartan Stadium as a pile of construction equipment and hard hats.
SPORTS
Similar to the football team, field hockey looks to solidify place in national spotlight this season
This fall, there is one team at MSU that is vying to defend its Big Ten title after a season in which an extended tournament run wasn’t initially expected.No, it is not the Rose Bowl Championship football team. It is the Spartan field hockey team, fresh off an Elite Eight appearance in the NCAA Tournament, that will look to exceed expectations once again in 2014.
BASKETBALL
Kenny Kaminski to transfer to Ohio University
Former MSU forward Kenny Kaminski will transfer to Ohio University according to a report from the Athens Messenger.