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Michigan State’s Independent Voice
WELCOME
WEEK EDITION
State News file photo.
Welcome Week activities guide
What you missed about MSU’s administration
A new era in East Lansing
The secret life of Sparty
Check out career and club fairs, sporting events, scavenger quests, arts activities and more to help you get settled in before fall semester.
Two reporters give a rundown about leadership shake-ups during the summer semester.
MSU enters 2026 with a new football coach and a revamped roster.
Who’s under the suit? Find out about MSU’s iconic mascot. They might be the student sitting next to you in class.
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TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2026
Vol. 117 | No. 2
EDITORIAL TEAM
CONTACT THE STATE NEWS
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lily Cole
(517) 295-1680
MANAGING EDITOR Saanvi Seth EDITORS Ria Gupta Cooper Schwartz REPORTERS Ever Pratt-Hart Julia Roeder Lucas Gentilia Audrey Dayton Owen Kinzey
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NEWSROOM/CORRECTIONS (517) 295-5149 feedback@statenews.com GENERAL MANAGER Christopher Richert ADVERTISING M-F, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The State News is published by the students of Michigan State University every other Tuesday during the academic year. News is updated seven days a week at statenews.com. State News Inc. is a private, nonprofit corporation. Its current 990 tax form is available for review upon request at 435 E. Grand River Ave. during business hours. One copy of this newspaper is available free of charge to any member of the MSU community. Additional copies available at The State News office for a fee. Copyright © 2026 State News Inc., East Lansing, Michigan
2026-2027: Student journalist dedication extends far beyond the newsroom By Lily Cole EIC@statenews.com I set foot on Michigan State University’s campus for the first time a little over a year ago to apartment hunt with my roommate. While meandering around Grand River Avenue, I noticed a State News stand outside its newsroom. I picked up a copy, read it vigorously, went back to my little community college’s newsroom and told my adviser I’d be applying. As I begin my senior year in the fall, I’m honored to be The State News’ Editor-in-Chief for the 20262027 academic year. I’m no stranger to student publications, having served as the 2024-2025 editor-in-chief at Washtenaw Community College. But The State News is so much bigger, so much more robust than my introduction to student media a few years ago and so much more profound in its reporting and in the students who want to tell stories. Coming from a similar role at WCC, I
understand the responsibility that comes with leading a newsroom and bringing information to a campus. Our growth this past year was exceptional, and I plan to continue adding to what my former colleagues have done. The State News isn’t just a publication – it’s an institution dedicated to MSU. As student journalists, that dedication extends far beyond the newsroom. Whether we’re covering breaking news from the administration, reporting on Spartan athletics, highlighting student organizations, or telling stories about everyday life on campus, we’re committed to capturing what it truly means to be part of the MSU community. Our newsroom is also more than just a building off Grand River; we’re a digital newsroom full of reporters, photographers, advertising staff, social media crew and more. We will report with the utmost urgency and be transparent in our coverage, even if we make a mistake. Journalism isn’t perfect. But accountability is incredibly important
FE E DBACK@STAT E N EWS.COM
Lily Cole. State News file photo.
to us, and we will conduct due diligence in every part of it. The State News also welcomes letters to the editor and guest commentary submissions from students, staff, faculty, alumni and community members. If there’s an issue you think needs to be discussed, we encourage you to submit here. At the end of the day, journalism and media are about bringing people together. There’s something truly special about this campus: a diverse community of students, faculty and administrators, each with stories worth telling. We want to help share those stories and serve as your voice – one grounded in authenticity, integrity and inclusivity.
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Welcome Week activities to kick off fall semester
5 p.m. at People’s Park. This resource fair will help students get to know important resources on and off campus, connect with offices and partners and find support to help them have a successful time at MSU.
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State News file photo.
For those invested in MSU football, this year’s Meet the Spartans event will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. at Spartan Stadium, where fans of all ages are welcome to meet coaches and players. Attendees should register online and claim their free digital ticket prior to the event. Later that evening, GloTown, an ice skating and silent disco event, will be held from 7:30 to 11 p.m. at Munn Arena. The event will also include a fraternity and sorority block party from 8:30 to 11 p.m. Food, video game trucks, yard and board games, and crafts will be provided for those interested.
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Welcome Week offers a wide range of events to help students settle into campus life. Between career and club fairs, sporting events, scavenger quests, arts activities and more casual gatherings, there’s something to help everyone find their place at Michigan State University. Below is a list of Welcome Week events between Tuesday, Aug. 25 and Wednesday, Sept. 2:
Students are invited to bring their families or supporters to campus for the Family & Supporter Resource Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Breslin Center. This event will feature a drop-in campus department fair, student services, local organizations, workshops and a 360 photo opportunity. International Student Orientation is set to take place later that afternoon from 3 to
For those interested in checking out some artsy registered student organizations, Wharton Welcomes is from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Plaza in front of Wharton Center. Students can find groups they connect with in an artful atmosphere with live music, ice cream and the opportunity to win prizes. If you’re looking for a higher-energy event, check out the Sparty Gras Fall Fest from 7 to 11 p.m. at IM East Field for carnival games, free snacks and candy under neon lights.
FRIDAY, AUG. 28 In the afternoon, the Healthy Spartans Hangout from 12 to 3 p.m. at People’s Park lets students relax and explore campus wellbeing resources. The event will offer therapy dogs, crafting, food, an obstacle course and other games. In comparison, this year marks the 46th Annual U-Fest from 6 to 9 p.m. at the MSU Union East Lawn, featuring carnival games, inflatable archery, silent disco, crafts, tote bag giveaways and more. To end the night off, bring a blanket to watch a movie under the stars at the Screen on the Green
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SATURDAY, AUG. 29 If you want to deck out your new space, head to the College Poster Sale from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the MSU Union Main Lounge, where you can find a wide range of budget-friendly posters, tapestries and more. The sale will continue through Friday, Sept. 4, and welcomes families and supporters of students to attend as well. In the evening, students can visit Fall Welcome, which introduces them to downtown East Lansing, and the EL ExtravaGRANDza from 5 to 8 p.m., featuring activities across downtown on the 400 block of Albert Avenue. Students can expect live music, an appearance by Zeke the Wonder Dog and a $3,000 plus prize scavenger hunt. This event welcomes student families and supporters.
SUNDAY, AUG. 30 THURSDAY, AUG. 27
By Ever Pratt-Hart epratthart@statenews.com
event from 8:45 to 11 p.m. at the Beal Botanical Garden, featuring “Jurassic Park.”
Sparticipation will be happening from 1 to 5 p.m. at IM East Field. This event will feature over 500 student organizations and 30 MSU departments, giving students the opportunity to learn about various academic and extracurricular groups at MSU.
MONDAY, AUG. 31 For a chill outdoor activity after classes begin, visit the Tie Dye Under the Sky event starting at 5 p.m. until supplies last at the Union East Lawn or Holden Lawn, depending on your campus location. Students can tie-dye custom MSU T-shirts and participate in other crafts while listening to music at this event, hosted by Impact89FM and the University Activities Board (UAB).
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 2 As Fall Welcome activities die down, plant your own succulent for your room at the Glow Green event from 5 p.m. until supplies last at the MSU Union East Lawn. Additionally, join the Silent Disco Under the Stars event from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Beal Botanical Garden for an open-air dance experience in a unique and welcoming atmosphere.
WHAT YOU MISSED ABOUT MSU ADMINISTRATION OVER THE SUMMER
The MSU Board of Trustees at Hannah Administration Building in East Lansing, Michigan on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. State News file photo.
Julia Roeder, Lucas Gentilia jroeder@statenews.com lgentilia@statenews.com
BOARD OF TRUSTEES HOLDS MAY SPECIAL MEETING The Michigan State University Board of Trustees held a last-minute special meeting via Zoom on May 17. The board approved revisions to its code of ethics and conduct — aimed at limiting public infighting among board members — and a contract extension for President Kevin Guskiewicz, effectively doubling his salary. The meeting followed months of trustees bringing grievances with university board decisions to the public through op-eds and podcasts. All eight members of the university’s governing board were in attendance, debating edits to the code for nearly an hour amid concerns that the resolution’s emphasis on showcasing public “loyalty” to the university restricted free speech. The revised code asked trustees to sign a letter, effectively agreeing with the edits. Trustees Mike Balow and Rema Vassar did not sign the letter. Trustee Sandy Pierce said the raise was “an attempt to get in front of” the possibility that Guskiewicz could leave MSU, as Guskiewicz was being “aggressively pursued” by other universities at the time. MSU later said the amended contract is “consistent with leadership positions across higher education.” The salary would have made Guskiewicz the highest-paid leader of a public Big Ten university, equivalent to
President Kevin Guskiewicz acknowledges the audience at a press conference introducing Michigan State University’s new vice president and athletic director, Dan Bartholomae, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Mich., on Aug. 19, 2026. Photo by Ever Pratt-Hart.
what the University of Michigan offered its then-presidential candidate.
TRUSTEE PREPARES LEGAL ACTION The same day as the board meeting, Vassar sent a 24-page pre-litigation demand to university officials, including Guskiewicz and Board Chair Brianna Scott. On behalf of Vassar, attorney Martin Shepherd of Mavacy PLLC wrote that the defendants in her possible lawsuit face more than $25 million in potential damages. The demand, obtained through a public records request, outlines that Vassar believes fellow trustees and the university repeatedly violated MSU board policy to attack her because she is a Black woman. The demand gave the university until June 17 — 30 days after it was filed — to respond. If the university did not provide a “meaningful” response, Shepherd wrote, they would file the lawsuit in federal court. As of Aug. 19, Vassar has yet to file a lawsuit.
GUSKIEWICZ VOTED NEXT PRESIDENT AT CLEMSON UNIVERSITY 10 days after the MSU Board of Trustees voted to nearly double his salary, Guskiewicz announced he would be stepping down as MSU’s president to take the top job at Clemson University. In a July interview with The State News, he said he started exploring a departure from the university in March. On his way out, Guskiewicz blamed divisions within the Board of Trustees for his departure, writing in a community
letter that it was an “unsustainable situation.” Following his announcement, Vassar rejected those claims, and faculty said they felt “betrayal” over Guskiewicz’s departure. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer pushed for university boards to be appointed by governors rather than elected, citing MSU.
J BATT ANNOUNCES DEPARTURE FOR UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY MSU Athletic Director J Batt was hired as the University of Kentucky’s next athletic director on June 15, just over a year after assuming the same position at MSU. Batt was dually hired as Kentucky’s athletic director and as the CEO of its for-profit LLC, Champions Blue. Similar to MSU’s Spartan Media Ventures, the entity is designed to search for new revenue streams. Spartan Ventures and Spartan Media Ventures officially launched with Jon Palumbo acting as CEO on July 1. After his hiring at Kentucky, Batt continued to work at MSU until his last day on July 28. Men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo said he was “ashamed, disgusted, hurt” by the leadership shake-up. Soon after, a petition was launched on social media calling for the resignation of MSU trustees Vassar, Balow and Dennis Denno. Others on social media demanded reform of how board members are elected, and one user released public info on board members’ phone numbers and addresses. Some took to more physical showcases of support: A Lansing-based real estate developer group planted signs emblazoned with “We Heart Kevin G” across campus in support of Guskiewicz. FE E DBACK@STAT E N EWS.COM
TRUSTEES CENSURED Balow and Vassar were censured by the Board of Trustees during its June 12 meeting for failing to comply with the revised code. They also had their credentials to the annual Mackinac Policy Conference revoked. The week before the June meeting, the two held a press conference on the steps of the Michigan Capitol with legislators and students, airing their free speech concerns about the revised code of ethics and conduct.
GUSKIEWICZ DECIDES TO STAY Guskiewicz reversed his decision to leave MSU, six weeks after saying he’d depart for Clemson. In an interview with The State News, Guskiewicz said the board has had “productive conversations about how the board can operate more strategically.” His new contract includes a $1.5 million salary — a nearly $500,000 raise — and private jet access. Some faculty said they are happy to hear he is staying, while others have concerns over trust and loyalty. A week after the announcement, MSU’s Academic Congress overwhelmingly voted that they lack confidence in the board, while a separate vote showed a majority supported Guskiewicz. Guskiewicz welcomed Dan Bartholomae, who led Western Michigan University’s athletic department, as MSU’s new athletic director on Aug. 19.
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A NEW ERA IN EAST LANSING: MSU enters 2026 with a new coach and revamped roster
By Owen Kinzey okinzey@statenews.com The start of the college football season is always exciting — teams acquire fresh talent, coaches take over new programs and fanbases continuously convince themselves that this year could be their year. The same remains true for Michigan State University. Following two coaching changes in three seasons, MSU turned to a Big Ten veteran Pat Fitzgerald, who spent 17 years at Northwestern to lead the Spartans.
SETTING A NEW STANDARD
Michigan State football Safeties Coach, James Adams, and Assistant Secondary Coach, Ted Flaherty, demonstrate a drill while the players watch during a practice at the MSU Duffy Daugherty practice fields in East Lansing, Mich., on Aug. 6, 2026. Photo by Cooper Schwartz.
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Fitzgerald brings something to the table no other coaches have been able to bring to East Lansing — an understanding of what it’s like to compete in the Big Ten. After spending nearly two decades in Evanston, Fitzgerald welcomes the competitiveness, toughness and challenge the Big Ten presents. “MSU is a special place where toughness was born,” Fitzgerald said at his introductory press conference. But the roster situation he inherited will not be easy to turn around overnight.
The Green and White finished 4-8, closing out the season dropping eight of its last nine games to finish tied for the second-worst record in the conference. Even though the 2026 roster has been almost entirely reshaped by the transfer portal, Fitzgerald has his work cut out for him to turn this football team around.
ROSTER OVERHAUL MSU lost many crucial contributors from last season, including wide receiver Nick Marsh, quarterback Aidan Chiles, tight end Michael Masunas and defensive lineman Alex VanSumeren, just to name a few. Rather than relying on current Spartans to progress into starters, Fitzgerald and his staff filled those deficiencies by attacking the transfer portal. One of MSU’s biggest additions was redshirt senior running back Cam Edwards who transferred in from the University of Connecticut after rushing for 1,240 yards and 15 touchdowns on 210 attempts. Edwards adds a do-it-all skill set at a position the Spartans will need consistent production.
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INSIDE THE SUIT: SPARTY LIVES DOUBLE-LIFE AS MASCOT AND STUDENT Noah Vermeulen holds a current Sparty mascot on his back for a graduation picture, donning his own Sparty boots. Photo courtesy of Noah and Kiara Vermeulen.
By Audrey Dayton adayton@statenews.com Every home football game for Michigan State begins with a sprint: Sparty’s sprint. MSU’s mascot races from the tunnel to the 50-yard line, throws down the Spartan flag and proceeds to perform one-handed pushups before the crowd. But inside the colored
armor and heavy boots is a student, trying to remember all the things Sparty has to do — and keep their mascot identity a secret. The Sparty Mascot Program has been overseen by the MSU Alumni Office since 1989. Sparty tries out for the job, is trained and appears at over 500 events a year, from MSU sporting events to weddings, fundraisers and golf outings. He crashes classes, gives out hugs and isn’t
afraid to pull a couple pranks in the library. He just might be the student sitting next to you in class, but you won’t know until graduation. Sparty’s identity remains a secret until they graduate, per MSU tradition. The reveal comes at convocation, where former Spartys wear the mascot boots to accompany their cap and gown. The Sparty Mascot Program contained three graduates in May: Noah Vermeulen, John Morrison and Mitch Mills. Their path to Sparty began with a distinct email from the Alumni Office: “Don’t look back and wish you hadn’t done it.” “I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, that’s a crazy statement. So I’ve got to hop on the opportunity,’” Morrison said. Vermeulen remembers the message, and the concept of being Sparty was already in the back of his mind after hearing about other former mascots. He paid close attention to Sparty’s interactions once he stepped on campus, witnessing the mascot’s presence at College of Engineering events, basketball games and following the Feb. 13th shooting. “Everyone knows that picture of Sparty kneeling in front of the statue,” Vermeulen said. “Seeing the power that had, in the way that it was a symbol of strength for the university and uplifted a lot of students. That was really something special, and I told myself, ‘If I can do that, I want to do that. I want to be that for people.’” The tryout process took around a semester, and becoming Sparty brought its own learning
curve. Communicating through sign language and body posture was crucial, just like learning to walk and bearing the suit’s physical demands. “We found that it’s the equivalent of playing a full-length professional soccer match in a 45-minute interval of being in suit,” Morrison said. “So it’s very intense. It takes a lot of physical preparation and fitness.” The most physically draining days for Sparty are football games, although they can also be the most fun. While Morrison’s friends spent Friday nights partying, he was anticipating game day, with butterflies in his stomach. “From 6:00 a.m. there are people out tailgating, and it’s so fun walking past all those people, seeing the passion and the excitement,” Morrison said. “The fact that they don’t know that Sparty just walked past their tailgate, too, it’s a fun little feeling.” The fun moments also came with pressure to perform well and uphold tradition. Vermeulen would have nightmares of his Sparty head falling off like the Oregon Duck, and while the football run out is a highlight for many Spartys, it’s a lot of pressure to execute before a crowd of 75,000 people. “You just have to run,” Vermeulen said. “I’m just booking it, trying not to forget anything. Trying to make sure, like, all right, throw the flag down. Do my dance, do the push-ups, grab the flag and get out of there.”
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FROM PAGE 6:
MSU enters 2026 with a new coach and revamped roster His production also earned him a spot on the 2026 Doak Walker Award watch list, cementing himself among the nation’s top running backs entering the season. “I expect him to be the best back in the country,” Fitzgerald said at Monday’s press conference. Outside the running back position, Fitzgerald focused on two main position groups — the offensive line and the secondary. Redshirt senior offensive lineman Ben Murawski and redshirt senior interior lineman Trent Fraley headline the additions in the trenches. Their success will directly correlate with Edwards’ success on the ground as well as MSU’s passing attack. The Spartans, however, saw the most significant roster improvement in their new defensive backs room. Redshirt senior cornerback Tre Bell and sixth-year cornerback Charles Brantley create a highly experienced pair of boundary players that should help shut down opposing receivers. Bell
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was ranked the highest-rated player in MSU’s 2026 transfer portal class.
FAMILIAR FACES Amid all the change, two core leaders, one on each side of the ball, will be asked to provide stability to this new-look unit. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Alessio Milivojevic was one of the most impactful players retained by the new regime. Milivojevic showed flashes throughout the final four games of the 2025 season, where he took over as the Spartan quarterback, averaging 246.5 yards per game through the air. His development and ability to get the football out on time will be a major factor in whether or not this team will be able to move the ball offensively. Nobody means more to this defense than senior linebacker Jordan Hall. As the captain of the defense, Hall’s impact on the defenders around him is irreplaceable as is his understanding of defensive coordinator Joe Rossi’s scheme.
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As Hall enters his fourth season, his role has evolved from leading by example to helping develop the players around him. “Last year was more so of me stepping into that role of doing it and leading by example,” Hall said on the first day of fall camp. “Where now ... it’s more so of me letting some other guys go and get more reps, and me coaching them up that way.”
TIME TO PROVE IT The 2026 MSU football season will be about two things — finding an identity and winning games. Fitzgerald has spent an entire offseason crafting his vision for the program, and it’s about time to see what the product will look like on Saturdays. MSU enters the season with a clean slate and a fanbase hungry for a winning football team. Now, Fitzgerald and a roster full of new faces has the opportunity to define this new era of college football in East Lansing.
Michigan State football WR’s, Crishon McCray (13, left) and Rodney Bullard Jr. (3, right), line up to run a drill at the Duffy Daugherty practice fields in East Lansing, Mich., on Aug. 10, 2026. Photo by Cooper Schwartz.
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FROM PAGE 7:
Sparty lives double-life as mascot and student Vermeulen’s first runout was one of his most nerve-racking experiences, but also one of his most memorable. “Mark Dantonio walked down the tunnel, and so I pounded my chest and he went ‘Looking good, Sparty,’” Vermeulen said. “At that moment, all the nerves melted away. I was like, Mark Dantonio just told me I’m ready to go, like I’m good. Get me out there.” While Sparty was busy leading the football team onto the field, Vermeulen’s friends wondered why he would choose “work” over the student section. “People would think I’m a little lame because I would rather go to work than hang out with my awesome girlfriend at the football games,” Vermeulen said. “You kind of have to let people think you’re a little lame before the future payoff.”
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Vermeulen’s then-girlfriend and now wife, Kiara Vermeulen, was often interrogated more than Vermeulen himself. They started dating before he became Sparty, which was ironic given Kiara’s fandom for the mascot. “I would always say I would leave any guy I’m dating if Sparty asked, like it was a joke I would make,” Kiara said, adding she loves Sparty’s goofy nature and ability to unite people. The Sparty Mascot Program allows select people to know about Sparty’s identity, requiring them to keep the secret too. Still, family members, roommates and even teachers are left in the dark, which makes things difficult when Sparty travels around the country. Morrison would often tell people he had homework, work or family in town to cover for his Sparty activities. Road trips were just “visits to his family.” “Really, it’s just whatever comes in the moment,” Morrison said. “You get pretty good at lying, which is a weird thing, but it’s part of the job. There were some close calls.” The secrecy created meaningful moments for the people who did know – like when Sparty gave Vermeulen’s dad a Pete Townshend windmill during a rock song, or signaled Kiara to call him after a game. But the situation still took a toll. College students juggle busy schedules without the added stress of traveling and lying to the people around them. “We are all across the country, all over campus,
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going to all sorts of events, and you have to balance that as a student,” Morrison said. “As a pre-med student, that was extremely difficult, taking all my core science classes and studying for the MCAT, doing research. So it was difficult keeping a secret on top of all of it.” At the same time, being Sparty provided an escape, a time for pranking and bringing people joy when classes weren’t the easiest. It also provided moments that reminded Vermeulen why he became Sparty in the first place, like a conversation with an elderly gentleman at a basketball game. “He said, ‘You remind me so much of my brother. I had a brother, a huge MSU fan. Ten years ago, he got a picture with you, and we lost him four years ago,’” Vermeulen said. “He puts his finger on my chest, and he said, “Man, you remind me so much of him. And keep doing what you’re doing because you’re doing such a good job, and you make people so happy. And you should be so proud of yourself.’ And in that moment, I felt like the persona just melted away… I really needed to hear that in that moment, and it was a reminder, especially with being Sparty, of what it meant to people, and that what I was doing was a great thing.” Those moments reminded Vermeulen what Sparty meant to people, something he’s still learning now that the job is done. “Every moment I thought I understood it, it meant more than I thought,” Vermeulen said. “Moments like that brought me back to reality
and helped me understand just how unique and privileged of a position I got to hold.” Morrison calls these moments the magic of Sparty. Because of the secret, when people see the helmet-headed mascot, they see Sparty, regardless of who’s in the suit. Graduation brings about different emotions for different graduates, including Sparty. It marked the finish line for a degree and a chance to share secrets, but also the end of a mascot career. And it also felt odd just wearing the boots. “At first, it kind of felt like I was walking around without pants on,” Vermeulen said. “It felt wrong.” But as the day went on, Vermeulen ran into fellow graduates and friends who pointed out his boots, congratulated him, asked for pictures and even thanked him. He got to hear the Breslin Center erupt at the sight of his boots during graduation, outside of the suit this time. “I’ve experienced that for Sparty, but that was my first time experiencing that for Noah, and so that was just really special.” Vermeulen, Morrison and others have experienced countless moments as Sparty, and the mascot has lived on through different Spartans living double lives. So the next time you interact with Sparty, remember, he might be someone you already know. “Go make that memory with Sparty, because you’re not the only one that’s getting a memory when you do that,” Vermeulen said.
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