My first passion for liking sports came at such a young age. Trying to find that one particular team I wanted to root for. I did not know any better at the time my dad and my uncle and papa always followed that team that had the school colors on their jersey green and white. I cannot remember this clearly but I imagine as a kid I ask why are you a fan of Michigan State University. On the one hand, my dad youngest brother graduated from Michigan State University so that was a factor. I have been very fortunate to attend many Michigan State football games. And Maybe rooting for Michigan State because they wanted someone different than having to root for that university in Ann Arbor named Michigan.

All my other family members rooted for Michigan mostly because geographic location since most of my family lives in the southeastern portion of Michigan. And that the University of Michigan had historically been one of top universities in the country. Along with having the winningest football program in college football history to top it all off. my friends at school were mainly Michigan fans along with Ohio State fans because of living so close to the Michigan/Ohio State border. Michigan State was rarely talking about because their football team had many losing seasons and were irrelevant in the BIG TEN Conference and nationally. While Michigan State basketball had continued major success way before I started following them on a consistent basis so I was used to them winning so they took a back seat for a while. Tom Izzo hall of fame basketball coach had a record of 537-214 seven final four appearances 1999, 2000, 2001,2005,2009, 2010, 2015 . seven Big Ten Championships 1998,1999,2000,2001,2009,2010,2012. And five Big Ten Tournament championship 1999,2000,2012,2014,2016. The final four was in Downtown Detroit in 2009 that was a special experience for me to be a part of to have it right in your backyard. And Tom Izzo won the National Championship in 2000.

I played football starting in the 4th grade at my school and I grew to love it, had so much fun playing and learning the game at the same time. I met some of my best friends playing that sport and it continued to grow as a passion for me. We were actually pretty good I must say back in elementary school. I watched Michigan State football coach under at the time John L Smith it was very hard to watch the games the team seemed like a disaster and feel apart at the most critical moments in the games. The teams feel on the short end of the stick on many games. Losses continue to pile up and then I was thinking to myself why can't this team win football games I grew frustrated and at one point I think I even cried lol Someone told me to stick with it because it has been like this for such a long time and to remain loyal and famously spartan football team got the nickname "same old Spartans".

At my family annual football party's for the Michigan VS Michigan State game I watch many times where Michigan State would have the lead for most of the game and the Spartans collapse at the end of the game, it seemed like a bad nightmare that would never end. Besides the Michigan games during those times the Notre Dame game back in 2006 where the Spartans at home in Spartan Stadium had a 31-14 lead how can possibly lose. In typical fashion, during those times Spartans fell apart and lost that game 40-37. A much-needed change was going to happen the following year.

In 2007 Michigan State University hired the next head football coach named Mark Dantonio. It was a bold move for the spartan football program but something had to be done to change the cultural at Michigan State to have his players believe they can win BIG TEN Championships and be one of the best teams in the country. Dantonio was a very disciplined coach with high intensity. He expected hard work and dedication from the whole football program. He wanted to hold his players and coaches accountable for their actions and that is just what was needed for this program. He excepted high expectations for his program and won't settle for less. The Spartans famously have had a "chip on the shoulder" during the Mark Dantonio era wanting to prove players wrong.

The first game I remember watching from that season that was significant was the battle between Michigan and Michigan at Spartan Stadium. Dantonio wanted to prove to his team that they can beat anyone if they come prepare with the right game plan and the right mentality. It was an exciting thing game back and forth like most matchups have been and Spartans leading most of the game, then the Wolverines took the lead back in the final seconds of the game and won 28-24. And the heartbreak that so many Spartans fans have seen before happen again. After the game Michigan Running Back Mike Hart called Michigan State "Little Brother" which to this day haunts all Michigan fans because what would happen in the seasons to follow. Mark Dantonio then followed by saying "Pride Becomes Before the Fall" a very significant quote to say the least.

After that season Mark Dantonio went on one of the most successful runs in MSU history that is still going on to this day with accomplishing 90-42 overall record. Three Big Ten Championships in 2010, 2013, 2015. Two Legends division championships 2011,2013 and one Big Ten East division championships 2015. And four of last seven season winning 11 plus football games. A school record 13-1 record in 2013 along with winning the Rose Bowl that year the first time they won Rose Bowl in 26 years. Won 4 straight bowl games from 2011-2014. They also made an appearance in the college football playoff in 2015. And to top it off Michigan State has beaten Michigan seven out of the last ten years. I am very proud of that and for one thing, I have been spoil these past 10 years and I would not trade it for anything. I can talk about so much more in the rise of spartan football and many memorable games that I have watched but that would lead to such a longer article. So I will leave you with the greatest fight song in the world. GO GREEN GO WHITE!!! VICTORY FOR MSU!!!