Newsletter HONORING THE PAST. CELEBRATING THE PRESENT. SUPPORT-

stablished in 1915, the Varsity S Club operates to further the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics’ goal of Eunifying the athletics family of past, present and future Spartan athletes. The department provides coordinated administrative support, access to a broad range of communication and technology capabilities, opportunities for personal engagement, support for recognizing achievements and organizing celebrations, as well as other enhanced resources and opportunities for collaborative mentorship. VARSITY S CLUB TAILGATES SAVE THE DATE SEPT. 5 NORTHWESTERN TIME TBA CELEBRATE WEEKEND

SEPT. 19 TOLEDO TIME TBA

SEPT. 26 MIAMI TIME TBA

TIME: 3 HOURS PRIOR TO KICKOFF LOCATION: OLD COLLEGE FIELD A Letter from B1G Football Celebrate 2020 our Staff Is BACK Tailgate Graduates pg. 3 pg. 5 pg. 6 pg. 8 Official Newsletter of the Varsity ‘S’ Club Your Opinion Matters!

We value your opinion and want to know what you think about the Varsity ‘S’ Club Newsletter. Send us an email, or call with items or topics you would like to see included in future newsletters. If you have suggestions on how to improve the publication, please email us at [email protected] Make an Impact

Elections for the Board of Directors of the Varsity ‘S’ Club are OFFICE STAFF held each spring. If you would like Deputy AD Alan Haller to serve on the Board, simply visit Assistant AD Julee Burgess our website at msuvarsitysclub.org. Director of Alumni Jim Cotter Click “About Us” on the main page Office Assistant Marilyn Bria and then click “Board of Directors”. There is a link on that page that EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE will take you to the Board Member Application. Executive Director Alan Haller ‘92 Assistant AD Julee Burgess ‘05 Please email the application to: Director of Alumni Jim Cotter ‘79 [email protected] Co-President Lauren Aitch ‘09 Stay Connected Co-President Travis Key ‘07 Secretary Lonnie Pugh ‘09 Past President Paul Vance ’01 Are you following the Varsity S Club on Facebook? Follow us to stay in- BOARD OF DIRECTORS formed on events, reunions, awards, and all things Spartan aathletics. Sue Selke ‘75 Eldon VanSpybook ‘60 Please visit: Wally Dobler ‘58 www.facebook.com/MSUVarsitySClub/ Donald Weatherspoon ‘65 Caroline Powers ‘13 Molly Midgley ‘89 Louis Edward Stephens III ‘08 Summer Weiss ‘14 Jim Slater ‘01

CREDITS My Spartan Story! Special thanks to MSU Athletic Communications,Varsity ‘S’ Club staff and MSU Archive & Historical We would like to include you in Collections for photos. our quarterly newsletter! Email us a short write up of your CONTACT US Spartan story and how being a 550 S. Harrison Rd. - 4th Floor Spartan student-athlete impacted East Lansing, MI 48823 your life: [email protected] Phone: (517) 355-8523 Email: [email protected]

OctoberApril 2020 2020 // // VolumeVolume 6464, Issue Issue 1 1 Varsity ‘S’ Club Go Green! Go White! Go State!

A LETTER FROM OUR STAFF

Dear members of the Varsity S Club, As we welcome a new academic year, one that brings many new experiences for our student-athletes, our staff, but also you as former letterwinners, we extend to you our hope that you are all safe and healthy in your areas of theglobe. To say that this is an interesting time to be in athletics, is an under- statement. It will be a different year, but we will get through it together and come back even stronger ready to celebrate each other and our current athletes, when we can!

It seems like just yesterday we gathered for our Spartan Football Tailgates outside of Old College Field. We recall with great enthusiasm our October Celebrate Weekend where we welcomed yet an- other group of inductees into the Spartan Athletics Hall of Fame and introduced a new class of Varsity S Club award winners. This year’s event, is postponed until fall of 2021. Our Varsity S Award winners for 2020 will have the opportunity to be celebrated in 2021 and hopefully it will be with the same excitement we’ve always welcomed them back with, and you will join us as well. None of us would have predicted what was only weeks away when we said good-bye to the winningest head coach in Spartan Football history, , and welcomed new Head Football Coach, and his new staff as they begin building their legacy “On the Banks of the Red Cedar”. Through the ups and downs of the Big Ten Football decisions, we are finally encouraged with the return of the Big Ten Football season in late October. This year will be different. For the first time in history, fans will not be allowed into the -sta dium outside the allotted amount for the player/coaching guests. We will look for your support from your own living room, on social media, and any other virtual way you see fit. The highlights from the 19-20 school year, have been drowned by the global pandemic, but we had an amazing start to 2020 before we had to shut it down. On February 23rd, 2020, we gathered with over 150 S Club members, family and friends, to celebrate the proud accomplishments of our Spartans Hockey Alumni. Sunday, March 8th, as Tom Izzo’s basketball team completed an amazing finish to the regular season schedule with a win over Ohio State, clinching yet another Big Ten regular season championship, that night four seniors kissed the Spartan at midcourt and who would have suspected that each had put on the Green and White for a final time? We all went home on Friday, March 13th for what we thought was three weeks, some of our Athletic Department staff are still currently work- ing remotely.

The spring 2020 sports seasons were cancelled. Virtual commencement has come and gone. Another army of graduates has set off across the world to do as Spartans do, make the world a better place. A new school year has started, virtually, and looks to be that way for the entire academic year. The future of this virus is still unclear. One thing is certain, when our community, indeed the world rebounds from what we have experienced…AND WE WILL REBOUND…the adage Spartans Will must shine brighter than ever before and at that time, we hope you join us back On the Banks of the Red Cedar. Stand safe, stand strong and until we see each other again, be well. Go Green! Varsity S Operations team

OctoberApril 2020 2020 // // VolumeVolume 64 64, Issue Issue 1 1 Varsity ‘S’ Club Official Newsletter of the Varsity ‘S’ Club

A LETTER FROM OUR PRESIDENTS

Dear Varsity S Club,

Who would have thought, when the Varsity S Club collaborated with Spartan Hockey for our winter gathering on February 22nd, that our country, indeed the world, would soon experience a global health crisis that would literally bring life as we know it to a temporary halt. As we write today, first and foremost, we hope that each of you and your loved ones are continuing to remain both healthy and safe. Although we are still in somewhat uncertain times there are some certainties we can report. Now that football is back on again and we have a start date for the Big 10 basketball season, we have some updates about rules for sporting events. For the football season, no fans will be allowed into the game other than player/coaching guests.

No tailgating will be allowed on campus for the time being. These rules and regulations could be the same for basketball when games begin. Be on the lookout soon for cutout (those photo cutouts that you have seen in the MLB games in the stands) opportunities for Football games.

We as Co-Presidents know this is a trying time for everyone, and we will continue to give our best effort in getting you information on when we can gather again to celebrate being a Spartan. What happens next will be based on constant evaluation and re-evaluation, as the nature of the pandemic changes. Fall sports have been postponed to the spring, with the exception of Football.

Spartan Athletic’s primary focus is keeping everyone safe during these uncertain times. When we come through this … and WE WILL COME THROUGH THIS … There will be much work to do. We encourage you to remain engaged with all things related to Spartan Athletics, and Michigan State University, per the many social media tools that existed in the past and those created since the beginning of the pandemic.

Another great way you can stay up to date with Michigan State University is staying connected to the daily updates our MSU Today has created. If you’re interested in reading about all the amazing ways SPARTANS WILL, sign up for the daily updates at https://msutoday.msu.edu/subscribe/. We are often reminded, the strength of a Spartan lies in the warriors that stand beside him/her.

Stay Strong, Stay Healthy and GO GREEN!

Lauren Aitch & Travis Key

OctoberApril 2020 2020 // // VolumeVolume 6464, Issue Issue 1 1 Varsity ‘S’ Club Go Green! Go White! Go State!

BIG TEN ANNOUNCEMENT

The annouced the 2020 football schedule on [date]. The nine-game conference schedule will feature all conference games. MSU is slated to begin the 2020 season on Oct. 24 vs. Rutgers in Spartan Stadium.

MICHIGAN STATE 2020 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Oct. 24: RUTGERS Oct. 31: at Michigan Nov. 7: at Iowa Nov. 14: INDIANA Nov. 21: at Maryland Nov. 28: NORTHWESTERN Dec. 5: OHIO STATE Dec. 12: at Penn State Dec. 19: Big Ten Championship Week (East vs. West)

Please note: As previously annouced by the Big Ten Conference on Sept. 16, fans will not be allowed in attendance this season, with a possible exception to student-athletes or staff family members. In addition, tailgating will not be permitted on the Michigan State campus.

Game times and television assignments will be annouced at a later date. In addition, all games will be available on the TCF Bank Spartan Media App Network on your local radio affiliate, at MSUSpartans.com or on the official Michigan State Athletics app.

AprilOctober 2020 2020 // //Volume Volume 64, 64 IssueIssue 1 1 Varsity ‘S’ Club Official Newsletter of the Varsity ‘S’ Club

CELEBRATE TAILGATE VARSITY S CLUB TAILGATES SAVE THE DATE The Varsity S Club SEPT. 5 Celebrate Tailgate has been NORTHWESTERN TIME TBA postponed until fall 2021. CELEBRATE WEEKEND

SEPT. 19 TOLEDO TIME TBA

SEPT. 26 MIAMI TIME TBA

TIME: 3 HOURS PRIOR TO KICKOFF LOCATION: OLD COLLEGE FIELD

Award Winners & Honorary Members

HONORARY MEMBERS: Mo Gerheardt Maya Washington Dominic Carbone Wendy Koerner CHERYL M. GILLIAM YOUNG ALUMNI AWARD: Timothy J. Granaderos HENRY C. BULLOUGH SERVICE AWARD: Doug Landefeld JACK BRESLIN LIFETIME ACHIEVMENT AWARD: Curtis Daniel VANSPYBROOK RETIRED COACHES AWARD: Richard Bader DR. NELL C. JACKSON OUTSTANDIN ALUMNA AWARD: Kristen Parkhurst BIGGIE MUNN AWARD: Shon Hart

OctoberApril 2020 2020 // // Volume Volume 64,64 Issue Issue 1 1 Varsity ‘S’ Club Go Green! Go White! Go State!

STAY CONNECTED

See Angela Montie’s message below regarding MSU’s new platform, MSU Connect:

Calling all Spartan Varsity Student-Athlete Alums! In my current position at MSU, I am charged with Career Development for all of our Varsity Student-Athletes. I have worked with MSU’s Career Services Network to create a group within MSU Connect (an online mentoring and networking platform) for Varsity Student-Athletes. All you have to do is go to msuconnect.msu.edu and join the platform. Once your profile is set up, you simply go to the group “Varsity Student-Athletes” and join. You should be pre-approved to join, but if you aren’t for any reason, I will get an automatic email and I will get you in! My last request is that you share this platform with any of your Varsity Student-Athlete alum friends. The more people we have, the better it works!

Thank you in advance for your help!

Angela Montie

OctoberApril 2020 2020 // // Volume Volume 6464, Issue Issue 1 1 Varsity ‘S’ Club Official Newsletter of the Varsity ‘S’ Club

2020 GRADUATES

Nearly 100 Spartan student-athletes have completed work on their degrees this spring or are on track to do so this summer. Under normal circumstances, Michigan State University was scheduled to hold commencement exercises May 1-3. The university moved to online learning in mid-March due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the student-athletes graduating in the class of 2020...Though none of us could have predicted their time as undergraduates would end this way, each of them has shown the grit, determination and will, both on and off the field, that is the hallmark of a champion. To each, I offer my heartiest congratulations!” - Athletic Director, Bill Beekman

“We’re so proud of our new Spartan graduates, and we salute their support team of family, friends, coaches and staff that have been there along the way,” Executive Director of Student-Athlete Support Services Todd Edwards said. “The virtues they’ve cultivated as a student-athlete at MSU such as teamwork, adaptability, and persever- ance, have been tried, tested and reinforced in this most unprecedented time in our history. Each student has their own unique individual story that inspire us, and the collective experience for this particular group in the last several weeks is one for the ages. Congratulations to our resilient class of 2020!”

Women’s Basketball: Nathanaella Dambo, Nia Hollie, & Taryn McCutcheon Men’s Basketball: Kyle Ahrens, Braden Burke, Conner George, Joshua Langford, Xavier Tillman & Cassius Winston Football: David Dowell , Thomas Liesveld & Noah Sargent, Brian Lewerke, Tyler Higby, Kenny Willekes, Josh Butler, Cody White & Matt Seybert Volleyball: Margaret Midgette & Samantha McLean Men’s Golf: Dylan Deogun Women’s Golf: Allyson Geer, Priscilla Harding, & Catherine McEvoy Baseball: Justin Antoncic, Daniel Gieselman, Andrew Morrow, Jarret Olson & Caleb Sleeman Softball: Ebonee Echols, Katelyn Hendershott, & Alexa White Field Hockey: Hannah Ackers & Kelsey Keener Hockey: Damian Chrcek, Butrus Ghafari, Patrick Khodorenko, Logan Lambdin, John Lethemon, Jerad Rosburg, Sam Saliba, Anthony Scarsella & Spencer Wright Men’s Soccer: Michael Pimlott Women’s Soccer: Julia Crowe, Lydia Franks, Amelia Krause, Sadie Misiewicz, & Celia Oatis Swim & Dive: Nehemiah Mork, Scott Piper, Timothy Schoof, Payton Woods, Allie, Heineman, & Julia Oppedisano, & Kennedy Truex Track & Field: Jonathon Edwards, Jonathan Fife, Nick Guerrant, Nick Plude, Cody Stemple, Nathan Whitting, Kayli Johnson, Asya Reynolds, Autumn Robinson, Nikole Sargent XC: Luke Beau champ, Winter Romeyn, Matt Thomas, Carlyn Arteaga, Annie Fuller, Jeralyn Poe, Lindsey Rudden, Amanda George, Karrigan Smith, Nicole Han -son, Stephanie Vanis, Samantha Hanson, Amber Way, Dillon McClintock, Mackenzie Weiler Wrestling: Ethan Curtin & Logan Griffin Rowing: Annie Cantu, Sarah Carless, Jennifer Gmeiner, Hannah Hengten, Claire Hesseltine, Sophia Klein, Halle Nielsen, Luisea Romerocruz, Madison Sturm, Johanna Uckele & Katherine Willis Women’s Tennis: Julia Fenn & Davina Nguyen AprilOctober 2020 2020 // Volume // Volume 64, 64 Issue Issue 1 Varsity ‘S’ Club Go Green! Go White! Go State!

MASK UP!

FACE COVERING Wearing a face covering, whether you feel ill or have been diagnosed with COVID-19, is critical to maintaining everyone’s health and safety. Face coverings must be worn by everyone (including all faculty, staff, students, alumni, vendors and visitors) indoors and outdoors while on property owned or governed by MSU. PRACTICE PHYSICAL DISTANCING Keep at least six feet of separation between yourself and others when possible. You must avoid large gatherings and crowded events that exceed the State of Michigan’s gathering guidelines, abide by mandated event and business closures and minimize close contact with people from outside your household as well as those who may be sick or are exhibiting flu-like symptoms. PRACTICE GOOD PERSONAL HYGIENE Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, blowing your nose, coughing and before eating. If soap and water is not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with un- washed hands. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects, such as doorknobs, tables, light switches, phones, keyboards and faucets. Clean your personal spaces and workspaces regularly with soap followed by using an approved household disinfectant.

AprilOctober 2020 2020 // Volume // Volume 64, Issue Issue 1 1 Varsity ‘S’ Club Official Newsletter of the Varsity ‘S’ Club

AWARDS

Academic All-Big Ten Honors Announced

On Monday, May 11 the Big Ten Conference announced the Academic All-Big Ten honorees for the 2019-20 winter sports season. In all, 97 Michigan State student-athletes were honored over MSU’s seven winter sports. MSU led the conference with seven student-athletes posting a perfect 4.0 GPA.

To be eligible for Academic All-Big Ten selection, students must be on a varsity team (as verified by being on the official squad list as of March 1 for winter sports), have been enrolled full time at the institution for a minimum of 12 months and carry a cumulative SPARTANS grade-point average of 3.0 or higher. Men’s swimming and diving’s Nehemiah Mork, Scott Piper and LED Weston Youngblood, along with women’s swimming and diving’s Taylor Arnold, Amanda Ling, Julia Oppedisano and Lucy Schenden, THE and hockey’s Austin Kamer were part of MSU’s conference-leading seven of the 24 Big Ten student-athletes with a 4.0 GPA. CONFERENCE A complete list of Academic All-Big Ten honorees can be found here: msuspartans.com

Cross Country and Track and Field Coach, Walt Drenth has been unani- mously named Big Ten Women’s Cross Country Coach of the Year by the Big Ten Conference, as voted on by the league’s coaches. Drenth coached the Spartan women’s cross country team to its seventh Big Ten Cham- pionship in program history this year in Columbas. This is the fifth Big Ten title in the past 10 seasons and Drenth’s fifth Big Ten cross country coaching title of his career.

OctoberApril 2020 2020 // //Volume Volume 64, 64 IssueIssue 1 1 Varsity ‘S’ Club Go Green! Go White! Go State!

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

John F. West was a member of the basket- ball team from 1941-1942 during his 2 year course in Agriculture. Since graduating John has been in contact with fellow Spartans and connected to the university. He believes that the greatest impact Michigan State had on his life was teaching him how to be successful and thrive in the world.

After graduation John worked as a government official. In 1986 he retired from his position in Genesee County as Purchasing Agent, a department he created in 1968. Aside from public service, he was an active member in the athletics commu- nity (serving as a member and at one time President of the Downtown Coaches Club) and a centennial farmer.

John West Today, John still lives and operates the 40 acre of farm land purchased by his grand- father in 1883. On September 30, 2020 JOHN F. WEST John will be 99 years old. We wish Mr.West luck in his future endeavors and harvests. BASKETBALL Throughout his life and today, he has 1941-1942 embodied what it means to be a Spartan.

:an individual who exhibits an uncommon will to make a better world make a better will to an uncommon :an individual who exhibits Curtis Daniel III played football under from 1991-1995. In 1995 he helped found Patchwerk Recording Studios, a highly respected multimillion dollar Atlanta studio. Through innovation and customer focused production systems he helped it rise from the ground up. Today they are focused on external alliances, new ven- tures, and an exceptional client experience. Curtis has stay connected to the program and athletics since graduation. Today, he serves as a role model and mentor to Spartans. CURTIS DANIEL Check out how he is using his platform to help Spartans FOOTBALL here: www.dropbox.com/s/r5ed3gw3d3ogpdr/MSU%20Busi- 1991-1995 ness%20Event%20Jan%202020%20.mp4?dl=0

Attention Varsity S Club members- Gerry Sternberg, fellow member of the Club, has been working on putting together a book of MSU Athletic Stories. If you have anything you would like to share you can email him at: [email protected]

OctoberApril 2020 2020 // // VolumeVolume 64 64, Issue Issue 1 1 Varsity ‘S’ Club Official Newsletter of the Varsity ‘S’ Club

VARSITY S INFORMATION

Memberships Types:

ctive – Those who have earned a varsity letter while attending Michigan State qualify for a mem- Abership into the Varsity ‘S’ Club. onorary – This category of Club membership is accorded to individuals based on extended service Hand devotion to the betterment of athletics at Michigan State University, and to those MSU staff members who distinguish themselves by long and devoted service to the University and continued to express an active interest in and devotion to MSU Athletics. A maximum of six (6) Honorary member- ships may be conferred annually upon nomination by a member in good standing and upon approval by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. Honorary members have all the privileges of membership except voting and holing office.

ssociate – Individuals who participated on a varsity intercollegiate athletic team at Michigan State AUniversity but did not earn a letter (e.g., an individual who participated for a full one or more years without earning a varsity letter, an individual whose career was interrupted or concluded by injury) may obtain Associate Membership upon nomination by an Active member in good standing and upon approval by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. Associate members have all the privileges of membership except voting and holding office.

ANNUAL AWARDS: One of the most important things we do is to honor outstanding Spartan Varsity Letter Winners through the Jack Breslin Life Achievement Award, Nell Jackson Outstanding Alumna Award, Henry Bullough Service Award, Clarence “Biggie” Munn Extra Eff ort Award, Retired Coaches Lifetime Achievement Award, Cheryl Gilliam Young Alumni Award, Joey M. Spano Endowed Fellowship Award and Honorary Membership Awards. If you know someone who you would like to nominate for any of these annual awards, please visit our website at msuvarsitysclub.org, click “Awards” on the main page and then click “Award Nomination Forms”. Nominations are due December 31, 2020.

ELECTIONS FOR THE BOARD: Elections for the Board of Directors of the Varsity ‘S’ Club are held each spring. If you would like to serve on the Board, simply visit our website at msuvarsitysclub.org, click “About Us” on the main page and then click “Board of Directors”. There is a HERE link on that page that will take you to the Board Member Application. Please email that application to [email protected].

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AprilOctober 2020 2020 // //Volume Volume 64, 64 Issue 1 1 Varsity ‘S’ Club