SPORTS

MSU unveils new brand and identity program

Joey Nowak

April 23, 2010

On the same stage he was introduced as director of athletics two years ago, Mark Hollis stood in the Clara Bell Smith Student-Athlete Academic Center and made one of the most groundbreaking announcements of his already influential tenure at MSU. Hollis, along with Todd Van Horne of Nike, introduced the athletic department’s brand and identity program Friday afternoon, which includes a new line of uniforms with consistent font, color, logos and numerals for all 25 varsity sports teams.

BASKETBALL

What really matters

Cash Kruth

April 22, 2010

MSU women’s basketball head coach Suzy Merchant balances being a mom and coach. Her life is busy, but her son, Tyler, keeps things in perspective.

FOOTBALL

Dantonio hoping for 'great execution'

Jeremy Warnemuende

April 22, 2010

After 31 days and 14 practices, the MSU football team finally is ready to play its annual Spring Game at 1:30 p.m.

FOOTBALL

Nichol making WR move with ease

Jeremy Warnemuende

April 22, 2010

Last season, as junior Keith Nichol played backup to fellow junior Kirk Cousins at quarterback, he stressed that winning games was the most important thing for him. This spring, after making the switch to receiver, his priorities haven’t changed.

FOOTBALL

Muma, Conroy ready to take Swenson's place

Jeff Kanan

April 22, 2010

The challenge to replace former kicker Brett Swenson falls on redshirt freshman Kevin Muma and sophomore Dan Conroy, who are competing to handle kicking duties for the graduated Swenson.

FOOTBALL

Are you ready for some (spring) football?

Matt Bishop

April 22, 2010

For fans, Saturday’s annual Spring Game is a fall preview. For players, it’s their final chance to prove themselves on the field before fall camp.

BASEBALL

Spartans remember last season's losses to Illinois

Joey Nowak

April 22, 2010

For the MSU baseball team, May 20, 2009, feels a whole lot more recent than 11 months ago. The final game — a crushing 16-5 loss in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament — in a four-game season sweep at the hands of Illinois still lingers for of head coach Jake Boss Jr.

SPORTS

Spartans gear up for weekend's Fossum Invitational

Jeff Kanan

April 22, 2010

After placing 10th among 12 teams at last weekend’s Western Intercollegiate, the MSU men’s golf team will use this weekend’s event as a final tune-up before next weekend’s Big Ten Championships in Minneapolis and look to gain momentum at home.

SPORTS

MSU shooting for Big Ten Championships win

Jeff Kanan

April 22, 2010

Coming off two straight second-place finishes at the Big Ten Championships, the No. 13 MSU women’s golf team would love nothing more than to have a shot at winning this weekend’s championships in Madison, Wis.

BASEBALL

Spartans' errors lead to 6-3 Chippewas win

Joey Nowak

April 21, 2010

Central Michigan beat MSU baseball with a 6-3 win Wednesday night at Dow Diamond in Midland, Mich. Both teams had errors in the fifth inning, which transformed a scoreless pitchers duel into a win for the Chippewas.

SOFTBALL

Northwestern outscores MSU 24-0 in doubleheader sweep

Chris Vannini

April 21, 2010

There is no better way to describe the MSU softball team’s doubleheader sweep at the hands of Northwestern than by looking at the stat line.

FOOTBALL

With teams set, Spartans ready for Spring Game

Jeremy Warnemuende

April 21, 2010

Not quite the three-day production that is the NFL Draft, MSU football players and coaches gathered Wednesday afternoon at the Skandalaris Football Center to select the Green and White teams for the Spartans’ Spring Game at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Spartan Stadium.

SPORTS

Mock draft part 3: Rams select Bradford No. 1

When the clock hits 7:30 p.m. Thursday, it will be the culmination of my entire football year. The NFL Draft is my Super Bowl because I’m a Detroit Lions fan, so the real Super Bowl isn’t something in which I realistically should invest my hopes and dreams.

BASEBALL

Pitcher helps Spartans cruise past Broncos in rematch

Alex DiFilippo

April 20, 2010

The MSU baseball team beat Western Michigan, 6-3, on Tuesday at Cooley Law School Stadium in Lansing. Freshman pitcher Tony Wieber threw seven shutout innings for the Spartans. The Spartans will continue nonconference play Wednesday against Central Michigan at Dow Diamond in Midland, Mich.

SOFTBALL

Hansen transforms from 'hidden gem' to bonafide star

Chris Vannini

April 20, 2010

Lindsey Hansen came to MSU from Valparaiso, Fla., intending to play third base, but with the departure of the starting shortstop, Hansen, then a sophomore, stepped in and didn’t miss a beat.

SPORTS

Curler plans to 'lay it all out there' in NCAA Championships

Jeff Kanan

April 20, 2010

Nicole Curler’s mission for this weekend’s NCAA Championships is simple: Compete in the meet like she does in practice.

BASEBALL

In-state strides key to Spartans' future progress

Tom Izzo did it first. Mark Dantonio is well on his way to doing it in three seasons. Now Jake Boss Jr. is making a case to be the next in line of MSU men’s sports head coaches to take the state.

SPORTS

Mock draft part 2: Falcons grab Bryant at No. 19

Editor’s note: This is the second of a three-part mock draft. The NFL Draft is fast approaching its 7:30 p.m.

BASEBALL

Spartans ready for rematch against Broncos

Joey Nowak

April 19, 2010

Couple the MSU baseball team’s unexpected loss to Western Michigan in last week’s midweek nonconference battle and two losses in three games to Ohio State this weekend, and head coach Jake Boss Jr. expects the Spartans to be chomping at the bit when Western Michigan comes to Cooley Law School Stadium at 5:05 p.m. Tuesday.

SPORTS

Mock draft part 1: Defense rules final 10 picks

Editor’s note: This is the first of a three-part mock draft. For Detroit Lions fans, this is the time of year our hopes are lifted and smashed all in the same weekend. Thanks to the NFL’s own version of the welfare state, the Lions consistently are awarded a top draft pick for being the league’s only professional Pop Warner squad.