Everyone loves their school, or at least I hope they do, but there is just something about Michigan State that you've have to love above the rest.
1. Sports: MSU definitely knows how to make us sweat during our sporting events, but when we win it's the greatest feeling. In the past five years we have made it to the Big Ten Championship three times, the Final Four twice, won the Cotton Bowl and the 100th Rose Bowl. Not too shabby if I do say so myself. There has been plenty of time for celebration and lots of reasons to celebrate.
2. Our Coaches and Our Athletes: First let's talks coaches. Dantonioand Izzo are two of the classiest coaches in college sports. Not only do they respect their teams and each other, they respect other schools and promote good sportsmanship in their players. Second, the athletes. We have not only had standouts like Draymond Green and Leveon Bell who make us proud in the pros, but our athletes prove to be multitalented students. Just this year senior soccer captain Sarah Kovan was named a Rhodes Scholar, the 17th MSU student to do so since 1904.
3. Our Academics: Sure, sure people like to say that U of M is a great school, and our rival is a great school, but so is Michigan State. Not only do we have top programs in education and packaging, but MSU's veterinary program is one of the most respected in the country.
4. The Community: You can go just about anywhere and see a Spartan fan rocking some green and white. I have been in airports, restaurants and stores across the country and time and time again have come across alumni and fans alike. It is not uncommon to be walking down a street just about anywhere in the world and hear someone yell "Go Green" waiting for your "Go White" response.
5. Study Abroad: MSU has been the leading public university in study abroad participation for the last seven years. East Lansing might not be on the world's top travel list, but students at MSU are given better opportunities than most to be able to explore and learn in thousands of cities across the world.
6.The Traditions: Whether it be burning couches or guarding the Sparty statue, MSU students are proud of the history of our school.
7.Sparty: Sparty rocks and is absolutely one of the best mascots in the Big Ten. There are a lot of great mascots out there, but MSU can proudly say it is represented by a Grecian warrior known for its strength and power.
8. Our Faculty: You might not love every professor you have, but some of the faculty walking around MSU are pretty amazing people. For example, Rebecca Campbell at the College of Social Science is a professor that has helped to re-open and investigate over 11,000 untested sexual assault kits in the Detroit area.
9. The Campus: MSU is huge, historical and has some pretty cool sights to offer. From the Bell Tower to the River, we have all stopped once or twice to take an artsy photo of some part of the campus.
10. The Love: It may sound stupid and strange, but the best part of MSU is how much everyone loves it. Students are excited to return to campus in the fall and alumni look back and remember it as some of the best years of their lives. It's hard to dislike a place that brings so much happiness to some of the coolest people you'll ever meet.
So thanks, Michigan State University. Never change.
