The Jersey Chaser » Michigan State

Spartans to play Trojans in Greece?

thejerseychaser — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 00:42:56 +0000

After playing an outdoor hockey game in front of 75,000 people and a basketball game on an Air Force carrier in the Pacific Ocean, Michigan State has decided to up the ante by playing a basketball game in Greece against the Spartans ancient rival Trojans.

In an interview with the Lansing State Journal, MSU athletic director Mark Hollis revealed, “We’ve been talking about Greece for a while.”

The game against the USC Trojans would be at Panathinaiko Stadium in Athens, Greece. Anthens hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.

Navy carrier that burried Bin Laden will host college basketball game

thejerseychaser — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 03:34:08 +0000

The US Navy ship that casted Osama Bin Laden’s body into the Arabian Sea will now host a college basketball game against two school power houses… if that’s not American I don’t know what is! The USS Carl Vinson will host the standoff between the University of North Carolina and Michigan State. 7,000 lucky fans, mostly military personnel and their families, will watch the two school power houses square off. The carrier ship will be docked off San Diego and will be hosted 11/11/2011.

Despite the Carl Vinson’s famous track record, the ship was chosen because it will be in US waters but is expected to return to sea by the year’s end. The event is called the Carrier Classic, which the NCAA hopes to make an annual event. #AMERICA

Spartans fan postpones pacemaker surgery to watch U of M State game

thejerseychaser — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 21:52:34 +0000

For the first time since 1999, both Michigan State and the University of Michigan’s football teams are undefeated. They head into their rivalry game this Saturday at the Big House in Ann Arbor. The Spartans and Wolverines are ranked 17th and 18th respectively, and the game is so big one fan is willing to postpone heart surgery so he doesn’t miss it.

Major Hester is a 69-year old die-hard Spartans fan. He was scheduled to have pacemaker surgery this week but pushed the surgery back a week, so he could watch the game. The Spartans are the very reason Hester needs a pacemaker. Hester gets so worked up during the game, he has to watch the TV with the volume off.

When asked about the surgery, Hester said “You never know. It’s like going into combat. You may come home alive or you may come home dead. Whatever happens, I want to see the game.”

The retired supply clerk did not attend Michigan State but became a fan after years of watching them on TV. Lucky for Hester, the Spartans have beaten the Wolverines the past two years in a row

Video: Oregon mascot Dougies and college football rankings

thejerseychaser — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 23:25:53 +0000

The University of Oregon had a big win over Standford Saturday night as the No.4 Ducks beat No.9 Standford, 52-31. The win gave Oregon the edge in the AP College Football rankings as the Ducks earned the No.3 spot, beating out Bosie States. Bosie State spent the entire first month of the college football season at No.3 but slid to No.4. Other surprising rankings, for the first time in 10-years Texas is not in the top 25. The Longhorns suffered back to back losses to UCLA and Oklahoma respectively. With the Michigan Michigan State showdown just a week away, things just got a little more competitive. Michigan State’s 34-24 win over No.11 Wisconsin got them the No.17 spot in the newest rankings. The Wolverines are just one spot away ranked No.18.

As the college football rankings saw its biggest shuffle of the season, the Ducks had reason to celebrate… shown by their mascot who showed the crowd how to “Dougie” at Saturday’s game.

Tom Izzo is staying at Michigan State

thejerseychaser — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 02:41:24 +0000

Tom Izzo has decided not to take the 5 year $30 million dollar coaching job for the Cleveland Cavilers to stay at Michigan State. Izzo has the head coach of MSU basketball since 1995 and has led the team to a 2000 National Championship and six final fours.

The announcement came Tuesday evening when Izzo held a press conference alongside MSU president Lou Anna Simon and athletic director Mark Hollis.

After a two week courtship many speculated Izzo would take the job especially with LeBron’s approval as thejerseychaser reported Monday.

Izzo addressed the LeBron situation by saying: “Just as I decided to stay home, I hope a 6-8, 270 pound forward in Cleveland decides to stay home.”

I wonder who he was referring to?

Tom Izzo to take coaching job for Cleveland Cavaliers

thejerseychaser — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 03:17:40 +0000

While Michigan State Basketball coach Tom Izzo has said he will not leave the college until his Spartans win another championship that is not stopping the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Cleveland is desperate to keep all-star LeBron James who is a free agent at the end of this season. So desperate the team has already fired coach Mike Brown and GM Danny Ferry, as they look for a more compatible front office to keep LeBron.

While Izzo has not been offered a contract yet, he is in contact with team owner Dan Gilbert. Gilbert is willing to give Izzo a five year deal for $6 million a season as well as use of his private jet. Currently, Izzo makes $3 million a season with Michigan State.

Other candidates for the Cleveland coaching job are Kentucky coach John Calipari and former Pistons coach Larry Brown. With Dan Gilbert a Michigan native and owner of Rock Financial it seems there is a Michigan connection.