FOOTBALL

Dantonio shows optimism at Big Ten media days

Matthew Pizzo

July 24, 2013

Head coach Mark Dantonio addressed media at the Big Ten football media day yesterday and stated the team’s mantra —and goal— for the upcoming season: ?“Chase it.” Following a 2012 season with the inability to “find the inches” and close out tight conference games, Dantonio said he is looking forward to 2013. “We sort of feel like our football team has a little bit of an edge to them right now.

FOOTBALL

Six things to look out for at Big Ten media days

Tyler Beck

July 24, 2013

We are getting closer to football season, and it’s time for the Big Ten preseason media days and annual kickoff luncheon, which will be held from July 24-25 in Chicago.

FOOTBALL

Wide receiver A.J. Troup to miss season due to knee surgery

Omari Sankofa II

July 23, 2013

Sophomore wide receiver A.J. Troup will miss the season after undergoing knee surgery today. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound receiver announced the surgery on Twitter, and associate athletics director John Lewandowski confirmed that the surgery is injury-related.

BASEBALL

All-Star selections highlight MSU players during offseason

Matthew Pizzo

July 22, 2013

Efforts for MSU baseball players to improve their games during the offseason have proved fruitful thus far, as four players have been named to their respective summer collegiate all-star games.

SPORTS

Former men's gymnastics coach Szypula passes away at age 92

Omari Sankofa

July 21, 2013

The Spartan community lost an important figure in MSU athletics Saturday, as former men’s gymnastics coach George Szypula passed away in East Lansing.

SPORTS

Despite history, MSU not adding varsity lacrosse

Tyler Beck

July 21, 2013

According to the colloquialism, it’s “the fastest game on two feet,” possibly the first American sport and arguably the fastest growing sport in the U.S.

SPORTS

Alumnus makes World Series of Poker finals

Ariel Ellis

July 17, 2013

After outlasting 6,352 players, MSU alumnus Ryan Riess will be returning to Las Vegas in the fall as part of the November Nine in the 2013 World Series of Poker, or WSOP. Each member of the November Nine received $733,224 and will go on to play at the main event table, scheduled for Nov.

FOOTBALL

Lions, Big Ten partner to host new bowl game in 2014

Omari Sankofa II

July 17, 2013

The Detroit Lions announced yesterday that they are embarking on a six-year partnership with the Big Ten conference for a new bowl game to be played at Ford Field in 2014. The inaugural game, tentatively scheduled for December 30, 2014, will be named once corporate partnership agreements are worked out.

FOOTBALL

Six Spartans on preseason NCAA football award watch lists

Matthew Pizzo

July 15, 2013

Six MSU football players have been put on the preseason NCAA radar, racking in multiple “watch list” awards altogether for the 2013-14 season.

FOOTBALL

Coach George Whitfield discusses Connor Cook, upcoming season

Matthew Pizzo

July 14, 2013

MSU sophomore quarterback Connor Cook is making the most of his time until he reports to campus for summer camp.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Izzo discusses high expectations for 2013-14 team

Tyler Beck

July 14, 2013

It can be tough to consistently win with a target on your back, and MSU men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo knows this well. “Expectations are definitely high this year, and they should be high,” Izzo said.

BASKETBALL

Izzo weighs in on Payne's World University Games opportunity

Tyler Beck

July 10, 2013

There really is no “off-season” for student-athletes at a Division 1 university, and this is especially true if you are Adreian Payne. While his teammates are at home working on fundamentals and getting healthy, the senior center is in Kazan, Russia, representing the U.S.

ICE HOCKEY

Red Wing great Chris Chelios inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame

Matthew Pizzo

July 9, 2013

Former Red Wings defenseman Chris Chelios was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame today, along with fellow Red Wings forward Brendan Shanahan and Anehiem Ducks defenseman Scott Niedermayer. Both of Chris’ sons, Jake and Dean, play hockey for MSU.

FOOTBALL

$4 million increase to MSU football program budget to be voted on in September

Matthew Pizzo

July 9, 2013

Athletics director Mark Hollis and President Lou Anna K. Simon have presented a plan to the MSU Board of Trustees to allocate approximately $4 million to the MSU football program. The Board of Trustees will vote on the approval of the budget in September. Hollis said the proposed $4 million plan will ensure the football team will have the resources in the future to remain competitive in the newly aligned Big Ten conference. “I think we need to do something to enhance the process of where we are at right now,” Hollis said. The proposed plan will offer compensation in three main areas: staff, operations and capitol projects.

BASKETBALL

Analyst recognizes NBA talent on MSU squad

Ariel Ellis

July 7, 2013

ESPN analyst Jeff Goodman named MSU as the No. 2 powerhouse team when it comes to potential NBA talent for the 2013-14 season.

FOOTBALL

Former MSU quarterback Kirk Cousins writes first book, "Game Changer"

Matthew Pizzo

July 2, 2013

Former MSU quarterback Kirk Cousins was approached about writing his first book, “Game Changer,” after his speech at the Big Ten Media Day in July 2011.

BASKETBALL

Amaka Agugua replaces Tempie Brown as women's basketball assistant coach

Ariel Ellis

July 1, 2013

MSU women’s basketball head coach Suzy Merchant announced Monday that Amaka ‘Mox’ Agugua will be joining the Spartan women’s basketball coaching staff as an assistant coach.

SPORTS

Spartan Sports co-owners become Michigan Broadcasting Hall of Fame inductees

Ariel Ellis

July 1, 2013

Co-owners of the Spartan Sports Network, Will Tieman and Wendy Hart, became Michigan Broadcasting Hall of Fame­ inductees last week — and are the first duo to receive this honor.

FOOTBALL

Key linebacker positions will open in 2014 season

Matthew Pizzo

June 30, 2013

For the past couple of years, MSU defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi has molded one of the best football defenses in the nation. However, with linebackers Max Bullough and Denicos Allen departing at the end of the 2013-14 season, the defense will see new faces in the backfield in the following season.

BASKETBALL

Payne makes USA Men’s World University Team

Matthew Pizzo

June 30, 2013

MSU senior center Adreian Payne made the final cut for the USA Basketball Men’s World University Games in Kazan, Russia on Saturday. Training camp, which began June 24, featured 26 of the best college players in the nation and was narrowed down to the final 12-man roster Saturday. Payne joins Big Ten athletes Yogi Ferrell and Will Sheehey from Indiana and Aaron White from Iowa. According to USA Basketball, the team will depart for Russia on Monday and begin tournament play July 7 against United Arab Emirates.