Monday 11/21/16

State News The

A fighter on and off the field Walk-on senior wide receiver Austin Wolfe strikes a balance between football and ROTC Criminal justice senior Austin Wolfe poses for a photo at the ROTC Spartan Battalion headquarters on Nov. 18 at Demonstration Hall. During his time at MSU, Wolfe was also a wide receiver (26) on the MSU football team. PHOTO: CARLY GERACI

NEWS

S P OT L I G H T

SPORTS

THE QUEST FOR MORE FUNDING

“The camaraderie, everyone’s high-energy in the morning. It’s a great feeling, something good to be a part of.”

A LOSS TO OHIO STATE

MSU is requesting more higher education support from the state

Austin Wolfe Senior wide-receiver

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@THESNEWS

STAT ENEWS .COM

Though the score was narrow, MSU football failed to upset No. 2 Ohio State University Saturday at Spartan Stadium PAGE 9

News

Rachel Fradette Campus editor campus@statenews.com

MSU requests higher state funding after years of low appropriations

BY ALEXEA HANKIN AHANKIN@STATENEWS.COM

The year was 2011 and Michigan governor, Rick Snyder had just entered office. But soon after the beginning of his appointment in 2011, he stirred some anger in higher education that has remained at MSU since.

When establishing his first budget, Snyder slashed higher education appropriations by 15 percent, causing a bit of havoc within Michigan’s 15 public higher education institutions.

“At that point in time, it was his first budget year, and at the time the state was not nearly as good as it is now,” David Bertram, MSU’s assistant vice president for state affairs, said. “And he made a conscious decision to cut not only higher education, but a bunch of departments by 15 percent. So since 2011, it has been an attempt to try and get that restored.”

On October 28, the MSU Board of Trustees announced they were requesting a return of the state budget to 2011 levels.

The path to restoration, though, hasn’t been easy. The Board of Trustees sets the rate of student tuition every year, and for the past seven years, students at MSU have been given a tuition raise. Every year, the Board says it’s because of low state appropriations.

“Places like U-M, MSU, Wayne State are still behind from where the governor first cut, and so for institutions of higher education to be able to manage that has made it very difficult,” Rep.

Sam Singh (D) said. “It honestly has forced tuition to go up. The governor’s lack of investment in direct student aid has increased debt load for students.”

Looking at graphs of student tuition versus state appropriations in the years since 2011, it’s clear that things have changed. In the recent statewide MSU Board of Trustees race, all of the candidates had something to say about college affordability. Singh, who has been a strong advocate for college affordability as a state representative, said more could be done.

“There is more that other states are doing, so if you’re not investing in your higher education institutions, you’re not investing in your students, how are they going to be found successful?” Singh said.

Bertram said to the governor, higher education funding has already been restored to what it was in 2011.

In the aggregate budget, it also has been. But the aggregate budget is the entire higher education budget shared by the 15 public universities in Michigan.

Because of a formula for money distribution put together by the state, six institutions remain below their 2011 totals. MSU is one of them, Bertram said.

“We’re still sitting here at MSU, $7.8 million behind what we had in 2011,” Bertram said. “And that’s not indexed for inflation or anything like that.

That’s straight raw dollars.”

Even more of a problem, Bertram said, is that MSU still gets 20 percent of its funding from the state.

$6.25 $3.79

GVSU

CMU

$3.64

FSU

$1.65

$1.39

UM-F

SVSU

$1.14

NMU

-$7.62

-$7.82

-$18.11

UM-AA

MSU

WAYNE

appropriations support-change since

2011

(in millions of dollars)

SOURCE: OFFICE OF PLANNING AND BUDGETS

Keeping costs contained isn’t that easy. According to an MSU budget overview, MSU’s list of cost pressures includes, but is not limited to state disinvestment in financial aid, appropriations and IT support necessary for data and cyber security.

“We feel like the state has eroded away and left us with more and more of our share to pay,” Bertram said. “When I say ‘our share,’ I mean money that’s going to come through tuition or through some other means.”

At the Board of Trustees meeting,

MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon said MSU should be rewarded in relation to 2011 budget levels.

MSU still retains the most in-state undergraduates by more than 10,000 students, a feat in an educational economy that finds more worth in out-of-state students who pay higher tuition.

For these reasons combined, Bertram said, MSU is requesting for a return to the past.

“When they’re short-changing us, they’re short-changing everybody,” Bertram said. “And we really hav-

en’t seen, we haven’t been spending more dollars per student. It’s not like our costs are going up. We’re actually keeping those contained.”

However, even a rise in state funding may not give the university what it needs to lower tuition.

“A tuition cut, I would say, is probably unlikely,” Bertram said. “If we were able to restore that 7, almost $8 million dollars, that would go a long way. It would help us in a number of cuts … The more money we get in, the less pressure it is on tuition.”

ASMSU low on funds for launch of Safe Ride program, might implement student tax

BY MADISON O’CONNOR MOCONNOR@STATENEWS.COM

The Associated Students of Michigan State University, or ASMSU, is still working on developing a Safe Rides program for students to get home safely and to take proactive measures against assaults on and off campus. MSU is one of the few Big Ten universities that has not developed a safe ride program and ASMSU has been working on developing the service for almost five years.

Almost five years ago when the service was introduced, there was no free service on or off campus that could drive students home safely for free, and that remains true to this day, Jason Barnett, ASMSU vice president for finance and operations, said.

“There’s been a lot of support for education and, you know, promoting safety on campus, but none of that is really a proactive measure,” Barnett said. “This is a proactive measure. The only way you can really limit the 2

THE STATE N EWS

amount of assaults that are happening is to just not let students walk home alone. So this has been a wildly successful program at other universities and there’s no reason it wouldn’t be here as well.”

The logistics of the program are still being worked out between ASMSU and the university.

The program would run from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. and would be free for students, but questions of where the money would come from and who would drive students are still being discussed.

As reported by The State News, ASMSU allocated $57,000 April 2015 to the research and implementation of a pilot program. This pilot program has not yet happened, so the $57,000 was never spent, Barnett said, and instead this money rolled back over into ASMSU’s general funds at its expiration. In order to spend this money from the general fund, another bill would have to pass through the general assembly.

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ASMSU’s current budget is not enough to cover the total costs of developing a Safe Rides program and a tax would likely need to be implemented to make the program a reality.

Another option to support the program includes getting money from donors.

“That $57,000 would actually work perfectly for a pilot program, but I’ll tell you, every university that we’ve done research on, their Safe Ride budgets were a minimum six-figures,” Barnett said. “We don’t want to pull that money away from services that students use like the iClicker program.”

Implementing a tax is something students would have to vote for, and the amount that students would potentially be taxed would depend on whether Safe Ride services are through students driving other students in university vehicles or through a third party vendor, which would be more expensive.

“Based on ASMSU’s current budget, this isn’t something that we can support with what we currently have,” Barnett said. “So we’re trying

to look outward, see if this is something we can get donors for. Otherwise, we’ll have to implement a tax, and since this is the only tax year within the next three years, if we want it to happen within the next three years this is the only year to make it happen.”

Barnett said he hopes to pass a bill through the general assembly after spring break to get the pilot program for the service up and running.

The next step in the planning stage for the development of the safe ride program is to get student feedback to see if it’s a service students want and need. Ultimately, ASMSU is looking to see if Safe Rides would benefit students.

“This is a program that needs to be done right the first time. There’s no room for error, so we’re trying to get all of our ducks in a row, put a code of operations together, you know, any scenario, we’re ready for it,” Barnett said.

“At the end of the day, if this isn’t something students want, we’re not going to push forward with the initiative.”

Contents

Cameron Macko Managing editor cmacko@statenews.com

ONLINE

Men’s basketball’s needed win

Michael Geiger reflects on last year’s field goal

Taste of Africa event at MSU

The team won its first game of the season at home at Breslin Center

Senior kicker Michael Geiger remembers his game-winning kick from the game against OSU in 2015

Students got a chance to taste authentic African food as part of cultural event

17

BY T H E N U M B E R S

Number of years since MSU beat Ohio State University at home. See page 12 for more stats about MSU’s loss to OSU.

“I always compare Sparty to Batman — It’s all the notoriety and publicity when you’re in the suit.

When you leave, it’s back to the anonymity and just being yourself again.”

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Ben Hatala Former Sparty mascot

See page 11

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RELIGIOUS GUIDE Spotlight Look for this directory in the paper every Thursday and online at: www.statenews.com/religious All Saints Episcopal Church 800 Abbot Road East Lansing, Michigan 48823 Phone: (517) 351-7160 E-mail: allsaints@allsaints-el.org Website: http://www.allsaints-el.org Worship Times: Sunday Worship: 8 am & 10 am Sunday School: 10 am Sunday Vespers: 5 pm Thursday Prayer & Breakfast: 7:30 am Ascension Lutheran Church 2780 Haslett Rd., E. Lansing Between Hagadorn & Park Lake Rds. (517) 337-9703 Adult Bible Study: 9am Sunday School: 9am Worship Service: 10am ascensioneastlansing.org Eastminster Presbyterian Church 1315 Abbot Rd, East Lansing, MI, 48823 (517) 337-0893 www.eastminsterchurch.org Worship Gatherings: Sunday Worship 10:30 am UKirk Presbyterian Campus Ministry Wednesdays at 7pm www.ukirkmsu.org

Little Flock Christian Fellowship A Non-DenominationalEvagelical Church MSU Alumni Chapel (Basement Hall) Sunday Worship Service: 10am-12 Noon.

Fellowship Lunch after the service Weekly Bibly Studies & Students’ Meetings. littleflock.msu@gmail.com www.littleflock.org Martin Luther Chapel 444 Abbot Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 332-0778 martinlutherchapel.org Sunday: 9:30am & 7:00pm Wednesday Worship: 9pm Mini-bus pick-up on campus (Fall/Spring) Peoples Church Campus Ministry 200 W Grand River Ave., East Lansing, MI (517) 332-5073 ThePeoplesChurch.com Worship Times: Sunday: 10:30 AM worship 11:30 AM Student Lunch & Gathering Monday: 6:30 PM Student Dinner & Bible Study

The Pentecostals of East Lansing 16262 Chandler Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 337-7635 www.pentecostalel.org Like us on Facebook!

Sunday worship: 11am Thursday Bible study: 7pm Thursday young adult group: 8:30pm Wednesday campus Bible study: 8pm at MSU library Trinity Church 3355 Dunckel Rd. Lansing, MI 48911 (517) 272-3820 Saturday: 6pm Sunday: 9:15am, 11am trinitywired.com University Baptist Church 4608 South Hagadorn Rd East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 351-4144 www.ubcel.org 10 AM Worship Service 11:15 Coffee Hour 11:30 Sunday School University Christian Church 310 N. Hagadorn Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 332-5193 universitychristianwired.com Sunday: 11:15 am Sunday Bible Study: 10:15am

River Terrace Church 1509 River Terrace Dr. Greater Lansing Church East Lansing, MI 48823 of Christ (517) 351-9059 University United 310 N. Hagadorn Rd. www.riverterrace.org Methodist Church & East Lansing, MI Service times: 9 & 11:15am MSU Wesley (Meeting at the University 1120 S. Harrison Rd. Christian Church building) St. John Catholic Church East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 898-3600 (517) 351-7030 and Student Center Students welcome! universitychurchhome.org 327 M.A.C. Ave. Sunday Worship: 8:45am msuwesley.org East Lansing, MI 48823 Sunday Bible class: 10:15am Sunday: 10:30am (517) 337-9778 Sunday Evening: Small Group stjohnmsu.org 9:00am Garden Service in Wednesday: 7pm - bible study Sunday: 8am, 10am, Noon, the summer TGIT: 8:00pm Thursdays Students please feel free to 5pm, 7pm Sept. - April call for rides Monday, Wednesday, http://www.greaterlansingFriday: 12:15pm WELS Lutheran Campus coc.org Tuesday & Thursday: 9:15pm Ministry Hillel Jewish Student Center 360 Charles St., E. Lansing (517) 332-1916 Friday Night Services: 6pm, Dinner: 7pm September - April Lansing Church of God in Christ 5304 Wise Rd., Lansing, MI 48911 http://lansingcogic.org/ Worship hours Sunday: 10:30am, 5:00pm Monday Family Prayer: 6:00pm

The Islamic Society of Greater Lansing 920 S. Harrison Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823 Islam 101 Dec. 3, 2:30 p.m Friday Services: 12:15-12:45 & 1:45-2:15 For prayer times visit www.lansingislam.com/

Walk-on Austin Wolfe reflects on football, being in ROTC at MSU

704 Abbot Road East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 580-3744 www.msu.edu/~weisluth 6:00pm Saturday

Religious Organizations: Don’t be left out of the Religious Directory!

Call 517-295-1680 today to speak with an Account Executive

Senior wide receiver Austin Wolfe (26), left, embraces associate head strength and conditioning coach Tommy Hoke as they walk off the field after the game against Ohio State University on Nov. 19 at Spartan Stadium. The Spartans were defeated by the Buckeyes, 17-16. PHOTO: CARLY GERACI

BY SOUICHI TERADA STERADA@STATENEWS.COM

Among the countless snaps the MSU football team sees every Saturday, a special few stood out in the waning, forgettable moments of a blowout victory against Rutgers University. Senior wide receiver Austin Wolfe took the gridiron for the second time that day, slotting out wide for head coach Mark Dantonio’s team.

That Saturday afternoon, the first time Wolfe took the field was with his father, Christopher Wolfe. The elder Wolfe served in the U.S. Army for 29 years and was honored during a break. The moment came just one day after Veterans Day. “For me and him to be out there, it was definitely surreal,” Wolfe said. “I was with him in front of 70,000 people. It’s a lot bigger than just him and I — it was for all the veterans out there. But to represent all of them was a special moment and it was rewarding.”

Similar to his father, the younger Wolfe, Austin, is a part of the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, ROTC, program at MSU called the Spar-

“The kid works really hard at his craft. He takes it very seriously. He’s always asking questions. He’s never beyond being coached.”

Terrence Samuel, Wide receivers coach 4

T H E STAT E NE WS

tan Battalion. He credited his father as being one of the major influences in that aspect of his life.

“My dad was in the military for 30 years,” Wolfe said. “So I kind of grew up in it. It was something that I was inspired to do from a young age.”

On the road Earlier in his life, Wolfe moved around with his family before eventually settling in East Lansing.

Originally born in Fort Riley, Kan., Wolfe said he bounced around through many places during his adolescence.

Somewhere along the way in Germany, Wolfe picked up the pigskin relatively late compared to some of his peers around seventh grade. “(Playing football) was mostly through a neighborhood activity,” Wolfe said. “Kids started playing, and I guess my parents thought I had some athletic ability so they got me started up. It was actually on a military base. I was in Germany, so the competition was a little bit different than here in the states.”

Wolfe was able to come to MSU because he was offered a scholarship through the ROTC program.

While technically a walk-on athlete in the eyes of football, it’s a different story off the field.

“I applied for a scholarship here and luckily got it,” Wolfe said. “I went to high school in Virginia and I came a little ways away, but I knew I wanted to go to a great, prestigious program. The only way I was going to come here was through a scholarship.”

Life on the gridiron While Wolfe originally came to MSU to be in the ROTC program, he’s been a part of the football program all four years — except for the first M O N DAY, N OV E M B E R 2 1 , 2 01 6

Spotlight “As far as whether I make a career out of the military or not, I’ve learned lifelong lessons that will guide me throughout wherever my path takes me.”

Austin Wolfe, Senior wide receiver week of his freshman year.

Wolfe is listed as a redshirt-junior in terms of his football eligibility, but because of his ROTC scholarship, he’ll be graduating this upcoming spring.

The 2016 season will be his final year donning the green and white, his family name accompanying the No. 26 across his back.

Though he’s seen sparse playing time throughout his career, Wolfe’s main contribution to the team has been through the scout team. There, while mimicking the Spartans’ next opponent, he’s found a niche for himself, able to be a friendly voice to the younger players on the team.

“I’ve been through it with in-season, winter conditioning, summer workouts, all that,” Wolfe said.

“It gives me an opportunity to teach and mentor some of the younger guys, give them a good idea about how things run and what they need to do to succeed.”

Through the years during practice, Dantonio has stressed to get 3 percent better every day.

After spending the past four years with Wolfe, wide receivers coach Terrence Samuel said he’s seen a lot more than a 3 percent improvement from his wideout.

“Austin has probably gotten 15-20 percent bet-

Cameron Macko Managing editor cmacko@statenews.com

ter,” Samuel said. “The kid works really hard at his craft. He takes it very seriously. He’s always asking questions. He’s never beyond being coached.”

Through all of the reps in the weight room for football, Wolfe has had to balance his commitment with ROTC. Between the duo, the senior has had to push his body through a variety of physical tasks.

Under the watchful eye of Tommy Hoke, the associate head strength and conditioning coach, Hoke said he noticed the unnatural physicality of Wolfe.

“I can’t remember any time we’ve really physically got him tired,” Hoke said. “We work them out pretty hard. I’m trying to recall anytime where he’s been exhausted to the point of having to take a knee or bend over. I can’t recall anytime that he’s been like that.”

Starting in the 2013 season with the Rose Bowl to last year with a College Football Playoff appearance, Wolfe has seen it all at MSU. One special moment for the senior, though, came in a regular season matchup against MSU’s main rival, the University of Michigan.

“I would definitely say one of the best times, other than just being with the guys all the time, is the 2013 game against Michigan at home,” Wolfe said. “Just that atmosphere, it’s almost incomparable to almost anything else I’ve ever experienced.

Definitely one of my best moments.”

Spartan Battalion As the football season creeps closer to its finish line, Wolfe will head back to his normal schedule for ROTC. In the fall, Wolfe’s routine gets a little shakeup in order to balance the two big commitments.

While Wolfe does lose some time with his ROTC companions, one of his superiors, Capt. Matthew Kabat, said he’s never had a problem fitting right

back in with his peers.

“The camaraderie is unfortunate during the fall, he does miss a few of the events that helps build and develop,” Kabat said. “On the other side of it, over the years, it seems that he’s really developed those friendships and that good co-working mentality and team building. He really has no problem fitting back in when he does come back.”

On one of Wolfe’s busiest days juggling football and Spartan Battalion, he said his days start as early as 5 a.m. Through the hard work of a normal day, Kabat said beyond it all, the one thing he enjoyed the most about Wolfe was his attitude.

“What I really appreciate the most about him is his sense of humor,” Kabat said. “This kid is busy. This kid is probably tired, just on a day-today basis, the grind. … But every day you see him come in, he’s got a smile on his face.”

Wolfe is sneaking up on completing his fourth year with the Spartan Battalion as he nears graduation. Through all the hardships and memories, he said that some of the best moments in the program came in the early hours of the morning, before anyone’s awake on campus.

“Every now and then we have our early morning 4 a.m. ruck marches,” Wolfe said. “It’s like three to six miles around campus when it’s pitch black. When we’re out there in the morning, it can be tough. But the camaraderie, everyone’s high-energy in the morning. It’s a great feeling, something good to be a part of.”

Post-MSU With just a few months separating Wolfe and the real world after college, Wolfe said regardless of the future, there were aspects of ROTC that he will take with him wherever he goes.

“It’s been definitely worthwhile,” Wolfe said.

“As far as whether I make a career out of the military or not, I’ve learned lifelong lessons

that will guide me throughout wherever my path takes me. It’s like I tell people, it’s a big leadership program, anyone that comes out of there learns a lot about themselves and working with others.”

Wolfe is set to graduate this upcoming spring, but as for where he’ll be and what he’ll be doing afterwards he said it is yet to be determined.

Fortunately, Wolfe is contracted with the ROTC, so he’ll be commissioned as a second lieutenant wherever he ends up.

“Because he is going active duty, I think he can take a lot of the things that we work on and develop on here very directly into his next line of work,” Kabat said. “Even external, though, if you’re looking at something along the lines of the football team. Even some semblance of that leadership quality. We’re also building and developing leaders of character.”

On the football field, through everything Wolfe has done there, Samuel said he’s seen the impact Spartan Battalion has had on his senior.

“I think a thing that’s helped him with football is ROTC, and probably vice versa,” Samuel said. “They all work to give him perspective.

To get the most out of your abilities, to get the most out of your opportunities, you have to give 100 percent effort.”

While Wolfe’s college career had him busy nearly every waking moment, he said regardless of it all, the experience he’s collected has been a rewarding one.

“It’s hard to put into words,” Wolfe said. “It’s the small things that really make a difference when you’re running out of the tunnel on Saturdays, when you’re just hanging with ROTC guys out in the field. All those moments they create the memories down the road. Just being those specific points of time make it all worth it.”

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News

Cameron Macko Managing editor feedback@statenews.com

With Thanksgiving approaching, plenty of local events in Lansing area For more events go to statenews.com thanksgiving events wednesday, nov. 23 thanksgiving eve

Harper ’s Restaurant and Brewpub will be hosting a Thanksgiving Eve event from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. There will be a $3 Turkey Trot Shots exclusive plus flaming delights and more, according to its event page. thanksgiving market

Central Park in Okemos will be hosting a Thanksgiving Market from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The market will feature fresh fruits, vegetables and other goods that will get students prepared for a holiday meal.

thursday, nov.

24

thanksgiving unity dinner

The Office of Cultural and Academic Transitions will be hosting its 14th annual Thanksgiving Unity Fellowship Meal from 3-6 p.m. at Brody Square.

It’s open to all MSU students on campus during the holiday.

MSU dining will be closed that day so this will be the only place to eat on campus, according to the event page. lansing turkeyman trot

The 16th annual Lansing Turkeyman Trot will commence at 8:30 a.m. It will take place at Lansing Community College and will be a scenic, accurate and fast 5k through Downtown Lansing that will pass the State Capitol Christmas Tree, according to its event page. thanksgiving dinner

Capital Prime will have special Thanksgiving menu items added in spirit of the holiday.

It includes a Traditional Turkey Dinner, ‘‘white and dark meat turkey served with house whipped boursin mashed potatoes, savory bread stuffing, sauteed garlic green beans and orange cranberry relish with turkey gravy’’ for $28 and Oven roasted Prime Rib served with au jus and horseradish cream, roasted red skinned potatoes and grilled balsamic asparagus for either $34 or $38 depending on the size. thanksgiving day yoga

Just B Yoga will be hosting Thanksgiving Day Yoga for families and friends. There will be an 8 a.m. and a 9:30 a.m. class. It will cost $15 per person.

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News

Cameron Macko Managing editor feedback@statenews.com

MSU professor and students talk concealed gun laws on campus

BY COLTON WOOD

Concealed gun laws by state

CWOOD@STATENEWS.COM

Although the majority of colleges campuses prohibit the carrying of a firearm on their campus, schools such as Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., permit the carrying of a firearm among their students, including in residence halls.

The conversation of gun and safety laws is prevelant across the nation, including on college campuses.

MSU’s Board of Trustees enacted an ordinance in 1964 relating to this issue that was last amended in 2009.

“Except as permitted by state law regulating firearms, no person shall possess any firearm or weapon anywhere upon property governed by the Board,” according to the ordinance.

According to Michigan State Police, someone who wants to receive a concealed pistol license within the state of Michigan must meet certain criteria, including being at least 21 years old, a citizen of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted into the United States and a legal resident of Michigan and they must reside in Michigan for at least six months immediately prior to application.

Criminal justice assistant professor Phillip Schertzing said the state of Michigan should not allow students to carry guns on campus.

“Not at all, and I am a retired state police trooper,” Schertzing said. “I would retire the next day if they allowed students to bring guns on campus, I could tell you that.”

Schertzing said his experience as a state trooper was a key factor in his stance.

“Over the years, I’ve encountered a number of students with all sorts of emotional issues and so forth that would not be screened by any database,” Schertzing said. “That’s not the way our system is set up and I would not feel real comfortable in an academic setting.”

Schertzing said it goes against what the learning environment is intending to be and that even having faculty members carrying a firearm is a bad idea.

“Well, certainly students wouldn’t qualify in a K-12 school setting because that was an elementary school, and even having teachers have firearms, I’m not sure the average parent would feel real comfortable about teachers with guns because accidents happen with guns and even police offi-

ACCORDING TO ARMEDCAMPUSES.ORG

Concealed guns allowed by law

Color coding Schools decide weapons policy Concealed guns allowed only in locked cars in parking lots cers with training have accidental discharges and things like that with guns,” Schertzing said.

Lansing Community College student Steven Drinkwine said guns should be allowed on college campuses, but not for students.

“I just feel like if you look at the gun-free zones, those are where these mass occurrences are happening — movie theaters, schools — they’re all gun-free zones,” Drinkwine said. “Those are what people are targeting, so I’m not saying everywhere needs to have them, but if you have a cer-

Concealed guns allowed by law, but schools limit locations/who carries Concealed guns on campus prohibited by law

tain amount or in certain areas that, you know, one per building … I feel like it could help protect a lot of people.”

Drinkwine said carrying a firearm would help increase safety, but faculty and staff should not be forced to do so.

“You can’t force somebody to do it. If they want to do it, you know, let them bring it, but you can’t tell them that’s part of the job,” Drinkwine said.

Business freshman Elizabeth Hampton said handguns are fine for people to carry on cam-

pus, but weapons like assault rifles are not.

“I think people should be able to have them,” Hampton said. “I just don’t like the idea of them having them on them or, you know what I mean, handguns are fine, but the assault rifles, not so much.”

Hampton said state law should apply on campus.

“If they’re able to own them — if they got the gun and they went through the procedure to get a gun or whatever — then they can have it,” Hampton said.

E.L. voter turnout up significantly for 2016

BY MCKENNA ROSS MROSS@STATENEWS.COM

After a deeply divisive presidential election cycle, the country has a new president-elect, Donald Trump.

The effort to put him or Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in the White House resulted in high voter turnout on MSU’s campus.

According to Ingham County’s election results, voter turnout in precincts on MSU’s campus was 72 percent, compared to all of East Lansing at 66.9 percent.

This turnout is significantly higher than the 2012 election, when turnout on MSU’s campus was 48.8 percent.

East Lansing City Clerk Marie Wicks agreed voter turnout was high in the city.

“The turnout was fantastic city-wide,” Wicks said.

“Our voter turnout in East Lansing tends to be pretty good anyways. We’re a very well-educated, very activist community. So it doesn’t surprise me that we had a very good turnout.”

High turnout could be because of the number of new registered voters. Wicks said the city registered about 7,500 new voters, with approximately 6,000 of those being on-campus students.

Wicks said it was a positive sign that so many students registered and turned out to vote.

“The students were phenomenal,” Wicks said.

“Lots and lots of first time voters. ... So if you think about the fact that many, if not most, were firsttime voters.”

Wicks said the high voter turnout numbers says alot about student engagement in this year’s election.

“The fact that they (students) got registered and

and they turned out in such high numbers really just speaks highly of the students and how engaged they were in the election,” Wicks said.

Wicks said despite long lines on Election Day, voters were patient.

Wicks said in off-campus precincts with high numbers of student voters, other citizens were polite and happy to see their turnout.

“I think everybody, especially non-students, were really happy to see students or student-aged people out voting,” Wicks said. “I certainly am because we put a lot of work into getting those 7,500 registrations logged in. I think we reaped the benefit of that.”

Despite active student involvement, voter registration in the city overall is down from 2012.

There was a 5 percent decrease in registration, from 29,061 in 2012 to 27,594 in 2016.

MONDAY, NOV E MB E R 2 1 , 2 01 6

“I think everybody, especially nonstudents, were really happy to see students or student-aged people out voting.”

Marie Wicks, East Lansing City Clerk

TH E STATE N E WS

7

Crossword

L.A. Times Daily Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

Sports

Casey Harrison Sports editor sports@statenews.com

MSU knocked out of NCAA Tournament

ACROSS

1 Correct 6 Dr.’s visit 10 “No __”: “Piece of cake” 14 Farewell that’s bid 15 Societal woes 16 Weapon in Clue 17 It’s “down at the end of Lonely Street,” in an Elvis hit 20 Horse hair 21 Online marketplace 22 City in upstate New York 23 Business baron 25 Liver secretion 27 Practice boxing 28 Oil well output, in slang 33 Hindu teacher 34 Fútbol fan’s cry 35 Fencing weapon 36 Malleable metal 37 Historic events at Gettysburg and Vicksburg 41 Sister of Zsa Zsa 42 Ye __ Shoppe 44 Spoil 45 Word with circle or tube 47 Miracle-Gro, e.g.

50 Flower usually sold by the dozen 51 Ivory source 52 Upper crust 54 NFL Hall of Famer Bart

57 Dreaded high school spots?

59 Baker’s amts.

62 Part of an Aretha Franklin refrain about fools ... and a hint to the ends of 17-, 28- and 47-Across 65 Swiss river 66 Congressional confidante 67 Florida city on the Gulf Coast 68 Waitstaff rewards 69 Post-combat affliction, briefly 70 Sharply inclined

DOWN

1 Chicago mayor Emanuel 2 Thought 3 Big bamboo muncher 4 “Peekaboo!”

5 Boy king 6 Online service for booking rooms with local hosts 7 Guilty, for one 8 Ump’s cry before the first pitch 9 “For shame!”

10 Mentored person 11 Roast, in Dijon 12 Oil cartel acronym 13 Actor Lugosi

18 Arthur of “Maude” 19 “Incredible” superhero 24 Chicago daily, familiarly 26 Frozen drink brand 27 Sty supper 29 Keno kin 30 Ali Baba’s magic words 31 “Drove my Chevy to the __”: “American Pie” lyric 32 Luv 33 “Knock it off!”

38 Kennel cacophony 39 Suffered financially 40 iPhone’s voice activated app 43 Postings in ledgers 46 “Please, anything else!”

48 Right or left, while driving 49 Didn’t admit 53 Sportscaster Berman 54 Ella’s expertise 55 Spicy Asian cuisine 56 Boomers’ lobbying group 58 Scoundrels 60 Water carrier 61 “Just like that!” fingers sound 63 Put a limit on 64 Dol.’s 100

Get the solutions at statenews.com/puzzles Level: 1

2

3

4

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www.sudoku.org.uk SOLUTION TO SATURDAY’S PUZZLE

Get the solutions at statenews.com/ puzzles

11/21/16

8

© 2016 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

THE STATE N E WS

MONDAY, NOVEMBE R 2 1 , 2 01 6

Sophomore forward Hunter Barone (7) reacts to SIUE scoring the winning shot of the game during the NCAA tournament on Nov. 17 at DeMartin Stadium. The Spartans were defeated by the Cougars in a shoot out, 9-8. PHOTO: CARLY GERACI

BY STEPHEN OLSCHANSKI SOLSCHANSKI@STATENEWS.COM

For much of the season, the MSU men’s soccer team found itself in a resurgence. After falling below .500 in 2015, missing the NCAA Tournament and bowing out in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament, the Spartans responded with an upstart season, climbing the national rankings all the way to No. 12 in the NSCAA coaches poll.

The run seemed destined to climb past expectations as MSU battled to a spot in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals before losing a wire-to-wire contest with No. 1 Maryland.

While far from the favorite to eclipse a national title, the Spartans were poised to be a spoiler in the NCAA Tournament behind the offensive prowess of forward Ryan Sierakowski and the goal-stopping ability of Jimmy Hague.

But as national tournaments go, feel-good stories aren’t always finished.

MSU took Southern Illinois University Edwardsville to the wire, taking a tied game into an electric round of penalty kicks.

After 10 rounds of only one miss a piece, both teams sent their best to the line again.

Trying to avoid the upset and keep the season alive, Sierakowski sent the ball skyward. Hands on his head, he was in disbelief, hopping up and down.

A minute later, SIUE defender Austin Ledbetter planted his foot and put a strike under keeper Hague’s right arm.

SIUE 9, No. 13 MSU 8 in penalty kicks.

Season over.

“I thought it was well-played by both teams,” head coach Damon Rensing said. “At the end of the day we just couldn’t get that game-winning goal, and then it goes to PKs and it’s tough.”

MSU had dominated the game, holding most of the possession and creating the better scoring opportunities behind 19 shots, eight of which were shots on net. Though they found the better opportunities, they couldn’t crack SIUE keeper Kyle Dal Santo.

Though MSU’s shots were numerous, they were often well defended by a structurally sound SIUE team that won a Missouri Valley Conference championship on the strength of its defense.

MSU’s lone goal was a crack off the foot of Michael Marcantognini from approximately 25 yards out and stretched into the upper left corner with 5:08 remaining in the first half.

MSU had generated the bulk of the opportunities and

the bounce to Marcantognini ended MSU’s offensive frustrations.

“Well, I thought the first half went the way we wanted it,” Rensing said. “It was 1-0, and we really didn’t give any chances up to SIUE. I thought the next 15 or 20 minutes we were kind of just tentative, we played not to win and they got some territory, and they had the wind.”

MSU did play tentative, allowing SIUE too much time and space in the second half as SIUE generated seven of its nine total shots.

The Spartan offense, however, found itself in a similar position as the football team, knocking on the doorstep of points only for opportunities to slip from their grasp.

Sierakowski raced through the box multiple times for his passes and crosses to miss targets by inches or find empty field without a Spartan in the area for a chance to bury the shot.

While the Spartans grappled with scoring chances, SIUE was left to hang around, slowly finding its way back into the game. MSU’s scoring chances missed by inches, but an inch was what SIUE needed to knot the game up.

Keegan McHugh was alone on with pitch in front of him as a clearing attempt had ricocheted right to him. Like Marcantognini, he let the shot fly from 25 yards this time finding the upper right corner.

“Credit to their guy, they had a really good shot,” Rensing said. “Then we had three really good chances to put the game away in the last 15 minutes and one, their goalie made a great save.”

MSU’s best chance to advance was a three shot barrage that was stifled by Dal Santo in the box.

“We outplayed them and certainly out-chanced them in the game, but if you don’t put away those chances it can come down to PK’s and then you’re on the coin toss,” Rensing said.

For as much as Sierakowski had been the hero for MSU all season, he found himself on the flip side having missed the goal that would have kept MSU alive for at least another round.

“It’s tough because we had one heck of a season,” Sierakowski said. “Just in this game we came out and we outplayed them for most of the game. We were up by one and then they hit a banger and tied it up, but other than that I thought our season was going really well.”

Inches cost MSU the game, and on the final play as Hague barely missed the ball. In a year of resurgence, the inches just weren’t there.

Sports

Casey Harrison Sports editor sports@statenews.com

Youth delivers MSU to cusp of upset victory against No. 2 Buckeyes

BY STEPHEN OLSCHANSKI SOLSCHANSKI@STATENEWS.COM

For the greater part of the 2016 MSU football campaign, two things were certain: uncertainty and criticism.

No position, no personnel, no coach, no decision seemed to get by unscathed.

The answers, just like the questions, were ambiguous. What was the root of the problem?

The value of experience was overlooked; youth was touted as the flag bearer for the losing streak.

Play calls were criticized. Self-inflicted wounds cost MSU the inches it needed to secure a win.

It was all a byproduct of youth.

On senior day when MSU praises its veterans, its youth carried it to the brink of an upset against No. 2 Ohio State University.

Against Ohio State, MSU started four freshmen and two sophomores on defense. On offense, sophomore LJ Scott led the way.

Heavily determined to be the vast underdog, MSU football opened with a swift gut punch to the Buckeyes, going 75 yards for a score in two plays in 46 seconds.

Scott sprung free on the edge, taking the reverse screen pass 65-yards to the end zone before a defender could touch him.

Scott had long been heralded the top back, receiving the bulk of the starts this season and being a part of key moments in the season prior.

He gashed holes in the Ohio State defense, hitting gaps and churning through the second level for 160 yards rushing, 76 yards receiving and two touchdowns.

“I knew I had to have a big game today,” Scott said. “I had to hear from fans, ‘I bet you wish you came to Ohio State.’ That is not the case.”

Scott led the team in receiving yards, followed by freshman receiver Donnie Corley, who had 23

yards on two receptions.

Passing was a premium in another MSU-Ohio State matchup in which weather curtailed game plans. Between quarterbacks Damion Terry and Tyler O’Connor, the team was a combined 8-of21 for only 127 yards.

“I think (the) key thing to the game obviously was their ability to play defense when we had the wind, or when I thought we had the wind — I’m not sure which way that stuff was blowing sometimes,” head coach Mark Dantonio said.

But even with Ohio State’s staunch defense, it was MSU’s own, championed by a young defensive line that kept Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett and running back Mike Weber in check.

Mike Panasiuk had been the talk of the summer in certain instances, as Dantonio mentioned in summer ball that he’d see some playing time.

He emerged the starter at defensive tackle and wound up with seven tackles including half a sack.

Others along the defensive line included sophomore Dillon Alexander, freshman Josh King, freshman Auston Robertson, redshirt-freshman Raequan Williams and sophomore Robert Bowers.

Alexander recorded three tackles, one for loss.

Robertson had one and Bowers had five, including a half-sack.Combined, non-seniors recorded 56 tackles, including 29 from sophomores and freshmen.

Panasiuk contributed the success to “wanting to bring the heat.”

Co-defensive coordinator Harlon Barnett called it “will and want to” that finally broke out of a shell.

“We’re playing a lot of players in there, and their level of play is rising,” Dantonio said. “And we’ll have some other players come along because we have some guys that haven’t played that are good football players as well.”

The defense held an offense averaging 45-plus points a game to 17 points.

Fifth-year enior quarterback Tyler O’Connor (7) is tackled during the first half of the game against Ohio State on Nov. 19 at Spartan Stadium. The Spartans were defeated by the Buckeyes, 17-16. PHOTO: NIC ANTAYA

senior day quotes Fifth-year senior safety and captain Demetrious Cox “It really didn’t hit me until we were sitting in the locker room and peop l e we re t a k i n g t h e i r nametags and I was thinking, ‘This is the last time I’m going to be taking my pads off with these guys.’

Th at ’s wh e n I s t a r te d going around and showing love to my teammates. It is what it is in life. It’s time to move on.”

Fifth-year senior captain and linebacker Riley Bullough “ We just wanted to give it all we had, for ourselves, for our team and for Spartan nation.

For everyone here watching, we just wanted to give it our best effort and I think we did that, so that’s one thing we can hang our hat on. It’s a crazy — feeling I won’t be playing here again. That will set in I think in the next few weeks but I’m proud of the way our guys played today.”

Fifth-year senior captain and quarterback

Tyler O’Connor

“ It was tough. To me, personally, I kind of played things out in my head about how we were going to go out or how things were going to play out. Obviously didn’t go that way, and it’s tough watching them take a knee and you kind of have a lot of time to sit there and look around and see it all for the last time. It’s tough ... but it’s a great senior class to be a part of, and I’m happy I’m a part of it.”

Though both Barrett and Weber rushed for more than 100 yards, the numbers seemed minuscule compared to past numbers put up.

The defensive effort was enough to deliver MSU to the cusp of a win and drew the praise of the veterans who fell short of leaving Spartan Stadium for the last time with a win.

“It is always good to see young guys want to get better every day in practice,” fifth-year senior linebacker Riley Bullough said.

“You want to learn, and that is what these guys have done. To

be an older guy to mentor them and help bring them along, that has been special for me, too.”

The future will lie in Scott’s hands and the young defensive line, which stepped up in a game that needed its best.

“As a young group, we wanted to make a name for ourselves,” Panasiuk said. “We are the future so we wanted to come out with a win today, which we couldn’t do, but we definitely made some plays and made a name for ourselves.”

Fifth-year senior tight end Josiah Price “It’s tough, man. It’s hard to really put into words how hard it is. I’m not a very emotional guy but today was a pretty emotional day especially with the way the game came to a close. We played our tail off. ... This place has meant so much to me and it’s hard to put it into words. Just extremely thankful for Spartan nation and the coaching staff, Coach Dantonio, everyone who got me here and for all the moments I have had.”

MONDAY , NOV E MB E R 2 1 , 2 01 6

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Features

Connor Clark Features editor features@statenews.com

MSU professor and artist takes her own spin on quilt painting

BY BRYCE AIRGOOD BAIRGOOD@STATENEWS.COM

Visiting assistant professor Anna Buckner has a couple of different ways to get her in the mood for art. Sometimes she makes a lavender tea, and other times she listens to bluegrass music like she did growing up in North Carolina.

Regardless of her preparation, when she finally gets into her art studio in the basement of her apartment complex in Lansing, the results are the same. Vibrantly colored and varied in texture, the quilt paintings initially stemmed from Buckner’s frustration with the idea that there is no history to a canvas, yet there’s history in everything.

“I wanted to create something that called attention to all of the other aspects of the painting,” she said. “The support, structure bars, the textiles, the canvas of the linen and all of these playing equal roles.”

For paintings generally, the image holds precedent, Buckner said. She utilizes the structure bars of each painting to demonstrate how they can hold the piece together.

To create a quilt painting, there are multiple things Buckner does to make her vision come to life. She begins by choosing the fabric she is going to put in the piece.

“I’m a hoarder right now,” she said, laughing. “I’ve got stocks and stocks and stocks of fabric.”

Buckner gets the fabrics from either donations or materials she finds thrift shopping. The fabrics can range from a dark red velvet, a cobalt blue, fur, to a stretch of fabric with kittens on it. They are either pieces that speak to her and her personality, or have a potential for change, which is a big part of her work, Buckner said.

“I think a lot about domesticity, too,” she said. “Fabrics that you would normally see in domestic settings and not in a fine art museum. I like including that sort of thing and throwing this hierarchy on its head.”

Along with domesticity, Buckner tries to convey a message of softness in her work. She sees softness not as a weakness, but as a potential for transformation. If someone’s not open to it, they are rigid and not going to have that potential for change, Buckner said.

“This idea that softness, something that I think is dismissed far too often as being feminine in a really negative sense or weak,” she said. “Like it’s not OK in our society to be soft. And I think that that’s a shame. I think that it opens up areas that we can talk about things and creates platforms for understanding that you can’t otherwise.”

After choosing her material, whether it is furry or velvet, Buckner then pieces them together. Afterward, she will sometimes paint the different fabrics.

This painting is one of the elements that makes Buckner’s art so different and unique, Jacquelynn Sullivan,

director of galleries for the Department of Art, Art History and Design, said.

It’s the idea that Buckner is not just using typical quilt materials, but transforms them from something people would want to touch, to something people are confused by, Sullivan said. For example, when Buckner adds paint to fur it is soft, but the painted fur causes a juxtaposition when placed against it.

“I really like those unexpected details that pop out at you,” Sullivan said.

Buckner recently had a solo exhibition at (SCENE) Metrospace in East Lansing. Sullivan said a lot of diverse people came to see the exhibition, which gave her the impression that not a lot of people knew what quilt painting was.

Studio art and global studies senior Hannah Robar said when she first heard about quilt painting, she thought it was just people painting on quilts, but it’s not.

“I like how it breaks away from the normal tradition of quilting,” she said.

Robar said one group of people who came to see the exhibition was made up of women who traditionally quilted who wanted to see what Buckner was doing contemporarily.

Buckner, who started painting at a young age, was influenced by her father, who is also an artist. It wasn’t until graduate school at Indiana University that she started working on quilt paintings, after she learned the art of Thangka painting in India. Buckner said learning this skill influenced her to use fishing line as a way to stretch out her paintings, as opposed to stapling it, which is how most quilt paintings are done.

When using methods like fishing line instead of staples, Buckner said it allows the piece to be held together more by the paint and she loves the resulting undulating edges.

Buckner has been able to incorporate a bit of her work into the classes she’s teaching at MSU, which are foundation drawing classes.

In her classes, students have been working on collages. Buckner took this opportunity to bring in some fabrics she works with so her students are able to experience the use of similar fabrics.

This allows students to see collages can be made with a wide range of materials, not just cut paper. Buckner said the whole point of the project is that students should be considering the history of the materials they’re using and how they play out.

“It goes back to this idea of the neutral canvas,” Buckner said. “Like nothing is neutral, and it’s so important that we look deeper and we understand the meaning of the materials that we’re using.”

Visiting assistant professor Anna Buckner uses her sewing machine on Nov. 18 in her basement studio at her home in Lansing. PHOTO: VICTOR DIRITA

Visiting assistant professor Anna Buckner sews a piece of fabric on Nov. 18. PHOTO: VICTOR DIRITA

UAB gives students ‘Harry Potter’ experience It was going to take more than a little rain to deter MSU students from going to University Activities Board’s A Night in Diagon Alley, a “Harry Potter” themed event at the Union.

First-year veterinary medicine student Michael Hoffman said he knew he was still going to go to the event even after seeing the weather outside.

“You know, every generation has got that big epic thing that draws that whole generation together as like the root of their childhood,” he said. “You know, like ‘Star Wars’ before us, even like now. But I’d say ‘Harry Potter’ is like that for our people.”

Hoffman first learned about the event from the pamphlets found in the cafeterias. He said his

exact reaction was, “Oh my gosh, ‘Harry Potter.’”

Caleigh Griffin, a first-year veterinary medicine student, said college students are so passionate about “Harry Potter” because it gives them a distraction from the real world. She said students can dream about receiving that letter inviting them to Hogwarts in the “Harry Potter” world, even if they’re at MSU. Griffin wore a Platform 9 and 3/4 T-shirt from King’s Cross in London for the event. Hoffman dressed up as “Harry Potter” character Gilderoy Lockhart, with a red vest, a cloak made from his high school graduation gown, a suit his friend gave him and some blue pants. Hoffman said he dressed as Lockhart because that particular character was one of the most important in the books, in his opinion.

“I mean think about it, if he didn’t cast that

10

MONDAY, NOVEMBE R 2 1 , 2 01 6

BY BRYCE AIRGOOD BAIRGOOD@STATENEWS.COM

THE STATE N E WS

memory charm on Ron, I mean he tried to, then the walls wouldn’t have collapsed and Ron would have had to go into the Chamber of Secrets with Harry and he would’ve died,” Hoffman said. “And I wouldn’t want to live in a universe where Ron died in the Chamber of Secrets, I don’t know about you.”

Chemistry and food science senior Emma Gailey said there is a passion found in the “Harry Potter” community. Throughout the books, a theme of friendship is portrayed, and real friendships bloomed from reading the books, going to midnight screenings of the films and attending conventions, Gailey said.

Gailey, who said she would be a Hufflepuff in the “Harry Potter” world, helped run the photo booth attraction at the event. At the photo booth, students could have their photo taken

with a “Have you seen this wizard?” Azkaban prisoner frame. They could also have their photos taken with life-sized cutouts of Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore. These life-sized cutouts were given away in a drawing toward the end of the night, Gailey said.

Another exhibit at A Night in Diagon Alley was a table set up by the MSU Quidditch team. President and varsity captain of the team, food science senior Maria DeNunzio, said that although she is a fan of the “Harry Potter” books, a passion for “Harry Potter” isn’t necessary for the team. It started as a “Harry Potter” club originally, but has morphed into more of a sports team, DeNunzio said.

READ MORE ABOUT A NIGHT IN DIAGON ALLEY AND THE MSU QUIDDITCH TEAM AT STATENEWS.COM

Features

Connor Clark Features editor features@statenews.com

Former Sparty mascots give insight to the excitement behind the armor

BY SASHA ZIDAR SZIDAR@STATENEWS.COM

In the fall of 1989, Sparty’s current form was introduced for the first time to the MSU community.

Now 27 years old, Sparty has been honored as the best mascot in the Big Ten, has been to national championships, starred in ESPN commercials, attended weddings, birthday parties and community events.

“Sparty really racks up the miles in travel … so we have a group of students, between eight and 16 students, who help Sparty get everything done,” Clint Stevens, director of the Sparty Mascot Program, said. “But there is only one Sparty.”

Sparty does between 600 and 700 events a year and only 90 of those are athletic events, Stevens said.

“We try to do as much as possible … there’s the magic in that,” Stevens said. “It’s like Santa Claus.”

Ben Hatala, who was Sparty from spring 2007 until he graduated in 2010, reflected on his experience as Sparty and all that came with it.

“I always compare Sparty to Batman — It’s all the notoriety and publicity when you’re in the suit,” Hatala said. “When you leave, it’s back to the anonymity and just being yourself again.”

However, Hatala’s fondest memory as Sparty was visiting children’s hospitals.

“It’s such an emotional time. … It’s really tough to put into words reflecting on it,” Hatala said.

“It’s just one of those things where you’re just a student, you’re just a human … but you put on that suit and Sparty transforms you.”

Sparty is very active in the community, whether he is cheering on sporting events or putting a smile on someone’s face.

“Some little kid is terminally ill … fighting some crazy ailment and disease and they want to see Sparty,” Hatala said. “You go see them and they start crying, their parents are crying, you’re crying … it’s really moving, and those are things I’ll never forget.”

Being Sparty requires keeping one’s identity kept a secret.

However, close friends of Sparty’s can become a part of the Sparty Mascot Program by being escorts for Sparty.

“The hardest thing was keeping it from your close friends and your roommates,” Eric Loveland, who was Sparty from 2009-11, said. “Being Sparty, it allowed us to open up opportunities for our friends and roommates to become a part of the program as well … we would invite some of our closest friends who we knew we could trust of keeping that a secret.”

Loveland’s first Sparty appearance was at an opening home football game.

“The first time I ever did a run out at a football game was actually one of the opening games

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Senior running back Javon Ringer is congratulated by Sparty after the game against Indiana on Sept. 27, 2008 at Memorial Stadium. The Spartans beat the Hooisers 42-29. Ringer scored one touchdown during the game. STATE NEWS FILE PHOTO

against Western Michigan,” Loveland said. “You’re literally standing there in the tunnel and it’s your first time running a run out and the one thing that you’re praying for is to not trip over your boots as you’re running out to the 50-yard line.”

It’s a tradition for Sparty to hold the MSU flag and run out of the tunnel with the football team.

“It’s the most excited feeling in the world and such an adrenaline rush when you enter the stadium out of the tunnel in front of 75,000 fans.” Loveland said.

While coaches will come and go and statues will always be around, Sparty is a physical, living, moving representation of the university, Hatala said. He said that is one thing that continues on with history.

“The big thing is — I don’t know if this ever gets across — but just how thankful Sparty is, and speaking on behalf of the Sparty alumni, how thankful they are for all the support through the years and all the passion that fans bring,” Hatala said. “We really appreciate all that, it’s very humbling. So for Sparty, we’re very gracious, very thankful of the Spartan

community … we’re a very thankful group of individuals that want nothing but the best for the university and the students.”

Students who think they have what it takes to be the next Sparty are in luck this year. Applications to be Sparty will be accepted until Jan. 15, 2017.

“The tryout process will begin in January with applications,” Stevens said. “We’ll give the students a little bit of time … put up some Facebook posts, put up some flyers, posters … we’re basically looking for the next Sparty.”

According to MSU Association of Future Alumni Programming website, tryouts will consist of a varity of tests.

“We have a pretty intense tryout process because the program is so historic and we’re looking for the right students. It takes so much because it is a volunteer program,” Stevens said. “You get a lot of benefits and intangibles benefits of travel, seeing sporting events up close, doing something bigger than yourself … It’s a rewarding experience.”

Sparty jumps and dances while the Badger student section dances to the song “Jump Around” by House of Pain on Sept.

26, 2009 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis. The Spartans lost 38-30, despite a late rally.

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Go State!

MONDAY , NOV E MB E R 2 1 , 2 01 6

TH E STATE N E WS

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MICHIGAN STATE VS. OHIO STATE

FINAL SCORE

Head coach Mark Dantonio reacts to a play during the game against Ohio State on Nov. 19 at Spartan Stadium. The Spartans were defeated by the Buckeyes, 17-16.

Spartans vs. No. 2 Buckeyes

16-17

PHOTO: CARLY GERACI

KEY PLAYERS lj scott

19 CARRIES, 160 YARDS RUSHING, TWO RECEPTIONS, 76 YARDS RECEIVING, TWO TOUCHDOWNS chris frey

NINE TACKLES (3 SOLO, 0.5 FOR LOSS) HALF A SACK Sophomore running back LJ Scott celebrates after scoring the first touchdown during the first quarter of the game against Ohio State Univrsity on Nov. 19 at Spartan Stadium.

mike panasiuk

“

I think it does mean something, but we can’t evaluate that and be happy with that. I do think it means that — ­ sometimes you aren’t as far as you think you are or as good as you think you are and other times you’re not as bad as you think you are and the inches really separate the two.

That’s the story of our season right now.” - Head Coach Mark Dantonio

PHOTO: CARLY GERACI

MSU

GAME STATS

3-8 127 207 334 2 29:07 56 3-12 6.0 2-2 3 12

Junior linebacker Chris Frey runs a punt fake for a first down in the game against Ohio State University on Nov. 19 at Spartan Stadium.

SEVEN TACKLES (3 SOLO, 0.5 FOR LOSS) HALF A SACK

OVERALL RECORD TOTAL PASSING YARDS TOTAL RUSHING YARDS TOTAL OFFENSIVE YARDS TURNOVERS TIME OF POSSESSION TOTAL PLAYS 3RD DOWN CONVERSIONS

THE STATE N E WS

YARDS PER PLAY RED ZONE TRIPS SACKS

”

OSU

10-1 86 224 310 1 30:53 67 7-17 4.6 1-2 2

MONDAY, NOVEMBE R 2 1 , 2 01 6

Each Ohio State touchdown drive was under 1:50 and five plays or less.

MSU came into the game averaging less than a sack a game, but finished with three against OSU.

PHOTO: NIC ANTAYA

OSU’s J.T. Barrett and Mike Weber rushed for more than 100 yards each.

The game on Saturday was only the second time in history when MSUOSU was decided by one point (2012 by the score of 17-16).

NEXT OPPONENT Pennsylvania State University Nov. 26, 2016 3:30 p.m. at Beaver Stadium University Park, Pa. TV: ESPN Twitter: @thesnews_sports