Tag: Michigan State Athletics

Michigan State tennis makes NCAA Tournament, headed east

Michigan State tennis is headed to the NCAA Tournament

Michigan State’s tennis has gone under an outstanding revelation under head coach Harry Jadun’s two year tenure in East Lansing. The Spartans are one of the best teams in the Big Ten and a potential threat on the national level.

Now, in 2023-24, the Spartans are headed to the NCAA Tournament, where the team will head to Boston to play against Denver, who is undefeated on the season.

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on Twitter @Cory_Linsner.

Miami Marlins draft Michigan State 1B Brock Vradenburg in third round of MLB Draft

Spartan 1B Brock Vradenburg has been selected in the 3rd round of the MLB Draft

Brock Vradenburg had a masterful season with Michigan State in 2023, picking up a multitude of All-American honors after having one of the best hitting season in program history. Now, that historic season has been paid off by earning a selection in the 2023 MLB Draft.

After teammate Mitch Jebb was selected in the second round yesterday, Vradenburg has been selected in the third round today.

The Miami Marlins have selected the Spartan first basemen with the 78th overall selection in the third round of the draft.

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on Twitter @Cory_Linsner.

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Michigan State athletics releases official statement

The MSU athletics department has released an official statement, updating the status of the school’s sports teams:

Michigan State athletics has released an official announcement on the status of the school’s athletics following the horrific events that happened on Monday night.

The statement reads:

After discussions with mental health professionals and university leadership, and in consultation with Spartan student-athletes and staff, Michigan State athletics will resume competition this weekend, both at home and on the road. Information remains subject to change.
 
“The safety and physical and mental well-being of our students and staff is the primary focus of Michigan State athletics,” said MSU Vice President and Director of Athletics Alan Haller. “In consultation with mental health professionals and in conversations with our student-athletes it became apparent that a return to practice and competition is a crucial part of their recovery. Student-athletes were given an active voice in the decision to return to competition, as well as the autonomy to make their own individual choices about participation.
 
“Athletics can be a rallying point for a community in need of healing, a fact many of our student-athletes have mentioned to me. The opportunity to represent our entire community has never felt greater. I also recognize that everyone grieves in their own unique manner, and there are some who aren’t ready to return to athletic events. Those feelings are incredibly valid, and as Coach Izzo so eloquently stated last night, I hope that we will all focus on taking care of one another.”

You can read the full statement, here:

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Lisa Breznau wins Big Ten Coach of the Year award

Michigan State’s Lisa Breznau has won the Big Ten Coach of the Year award

Michigan State’s women’s cross country team has just taken home their third Big Ten championship in the last four years, showing their dominance on the trails.

As a result, head coach Lisa Breznau has taken home the unanimous title of Big Ten Coach of the Year, the first of her career since taking over the program in 2021.

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on Twitter @Cory_Linsner.

Michigan State announces softball coaching change

Michigan State will have a new head coach when the 2023 softball season rolls around

There will be a new coach at the helm of Michigan State softball when the Spartans take the field in 2023. It was announced that longtime coach Jacquie Joseph will be stepping away from the program after 29 years.

Michigan State hired Joseph in 1994 to be the schools fifth coach in program history. Over the next 29 seasons, Joseph compiled a record of 753-809-1 with four appearances in the NCAA Tournament.

Michigan State athletic director Alan Haller will look to find Michigan State’s sixth head coach in softall program history.

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on Twitter @Cory_Linsner.

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Michigan State alum Ryan Brehm wins PGA Tour’s Puerto Rico Open

Michigan State alumnus Ryan Brehm is a PGA Tour champion!

Ryan Brehm is a PGA Tour champion, the Michigan State alumnus has won the Puerto Rico Open. The Puerto Rico Open was the PGA Tour’s alternative event this week. The tournament taking place at the Grand Reserve Country Club (Old) located in Canóvanas, Puerto Rico.

Brehm is a native of Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and attended and played golf at Michigan State where he led the Spartans to three Big Ten Championships. After turning professional in 2008, Brehm has competed on various tours including the PGA Tour and the Korn Ferry Tour (formerly known as the Web.com Tour). Brehm was a two-time winner on the Korn Ferry Tour.

This is Brehm’s first win on the PGA Tour and will provide him with a lot of exemptions to play on the tour over the next two seasons.

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Michigan State athletics to partner with Caesars Sportsbook

MSU and Caesars Entertainment have reached a deal together

The nature of sports is slowly being revolutionized through the growing sports gambling world. States all over the country are legalizing the use of online sports gambling and fans are loving it. The trickle-down effect means that sponsorships with major sports gambling websites is prevalent and professional sports teams along with university athletic departments are starting to partner up with different companies.

On Thursday morning, announcing via Twitter, Michigan State has released that it will be partnering with Caesars Entertainment in a multi-year partnership to make Caesars Sportsbook the official and exclusive sportsbook of Spartan athletics.

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Former Michigan State athletic director Merritt Norvell has passed away

Merritt Norvell, who held the role of Michigan State athletic director from 1995-99, has passed away.

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We at SpartansWire are saddened to hear that former Michigan State athletic director Merritt Norvell passed away on Monday.

Merritt Norvell might not be a name that every Michigan State sports fan recognizes, but his impact on college sports in the United States is massive. Norvell, whose son Jay coaches Nevada, became one of the first Black athletic directors in the country when he took over the role at Michigan State in 1995.  He held the role until 1999.

In his time with the Spartans, Norvell oversaw three Hall of Fame coaches in Ron Mason, Tom Izzo, and Nick Saban.

Norvell got his start in athletics as a running back for Wisconsin in the 1960s, where he played in the Rose Bowl in his senior season.

Our condolences go out to his family at this time.

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Michigan, Michigan State coaches team up for campaign urging mask use

Six coaches appeared in a PSA entitled Ball’s in your Court, urging mask use to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

We’ve found something for rivals to agree on.

Coaches from Michigan State and the University of Michigan have teamed up to film a public service announcement video with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Safety, urging Michiganders to wear masks to help curb the spread of COVID-19.

In the video Tom Izzo, Mel Tucker, and Suzy Merchant are joined by their UofM counterparts poke some fun at how as rivals they don’t agree on much, but they can agree on wearing a mask. Check it out.

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This isn’t the worst PSA these coaches have done for COVID-19. Earlier in the pandemic they teamed up to urge Michiganders to socially distance and wash their hands properly, among other health and safety guidelines.

Wear a mask.

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Michigan State Athletics website adds diversity and inclusion resources page

The MSU Athletics website has added a dedicated page to diversity and inclusion resources.

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One thing that I think is inarguable is that Michigan State, particularly the Athletics department, has had one of the strongest responses to the racial injustice we have seen around the country, with multiple leaders, from alumni, to coaches, to current players all using their platform to speak up against racism and police brutality in the United States. This week, the Athletics department revealed a new diversity and inclusion section on their website that will be dedicated to communication, education, and collecting resources in the fight against racial injustice. You can access that website here.

The page has a collection of all the statements made by faculty, student-athletes, and alumni along with links to various ways you can help in the fight against inequality in America, information about Juneteenth, and the history of diversity in Michigan State Football.

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