The Rivalry

Fight! Fight! Rah, Team, Fight!
Victory for MSU!

Today is the big day – Michigan vs. Michigan State.  Although there are plenty of hotly contested rivalries in college football, this one is arguably one of the hottest and most anticipated in the country.  We Michiganders look forward to it all year and enjoy taunting our friends that cheer for the “other side,” all week leading up to the big game.  On this day, it’s ok for us to not be friends and to wish for each others downfall (better be only for this day!).

Today may be the biggest Spartan vs. Wolverine match-up of all time.  Both teams are 5-0 and each wants to remain undefeated coming out of this game.  As Bob Wojnowski reports in today's Detroit News, this time the game means everything to both programs.  The stakes are high and I for one can’t wait for those game time nerves to begin (for some, the nerves have been present all week – I’m not that nutty).

Although I’ve been a Spartan for life, I wasn’t one of the lucky ones to have attended and received a degree from the greatest school on earth (I mean, have you seen that beautiful campus!!?).  I went to the other Michigan school of green & white (Go Hurons….err Eagles), but I’m a proud honorary fan.

My dad was a huge Michigan State fan and passed the torch to my sister and me.  As a hockey photographer, he spent the most time with the Spartan Hockey team and we have years of amazing team photos to cherish. 

I must take the opportunity to shout out to my real Sparty friends – Amy Thompson Boyk, Julia Hutchinson, Cassy Johnson, Hope Brown, Andrew Schreck, Jeff Lambert, Kristie Hand, Beth Clark, Jacki Halas, Linda Aubuchon, Jen Hartke, Pam Serwa, Barb Tomasi, Mark Contreras, Bonnie Dockham, Geoff Dockham and Julie Patterson.

And of course to those honorary fans like me – Andy Hetzel, Jerome Espy, Neil DeVries, Jennie Maike, Meghan Dockham and Wendie DeLano.

So what will you wear to the big game?  Whether you’re headed to the Big  House in Ann Arbor, attending a party with friends or enjoying the game from the comfort of your couch – you must have your team gear on.  My sister gave me a cool vintage Michigan State hoodie for my birthday, so I’ll be wearing that with pride today.

Btw…how cute is this Sparty flower top??

As I reported a few weeks back on NFL gear, there are so many cute options in team apparel these days.  I’ve peppered some of my fave finds throughout this post (click on photos to find).  The dress at the top is probably the cutest thing I’ve ever seen!  My cute Sparty intern from this summer, Courtney Siekirk, should have this dress. 

I found most of this cool stuff at the Michigan State Spartans Shop, but another great place to find Spartan gear is Shop MSU.  My Sparty friend, Kris Willcut, runs that site.      

So who wants to join me in a little song?

On the banks of the Red Cedar
There's a school that's known to all 
Its specialty is winning
And those Spartans play good ball
Spartan Teams are never beaten
All through the game they'll fight
Fight for the only colors
Green and White

Go right through for MSU
Watch the points keep growing
Spartan Teams are bound to win, 
they're fighting with a vim
Rah! Rah! Rah!
See their team is weakening
We're going to win this game!
Fight! Fight! Rah, Team, Fight!
Victory for MSU!

 

If you’re looking for Wolverine apparel, you're on your own.  Sorry!  Remember this is the day I wish for your downfall….just today though.