Michigan State
Our second expedition was to East Lansing, MI to visit the Michigan State Spartans. No, it's not Lansing, it's East Lansing. A road trip that can take approximately 5 to 6 hours from Milwaukee. To read a bit about our road trip, click HERE.
Now right off the bat, we need to say "Michigan State, we owe you one." You see, Wes was supposed to research the "to-do's" for this trip, but he neglected to do so we got there without a list of things to see. Drew was still recovering from the serious illness he caught in Penn State, so he wasn't able to get out & discover much on his own. So Michigan State, we will return next year to tailgate with our new found friends and see more of East Lansing, more of campus, and of course more of the night life.
Before arrival however, the trip started out GREAT as the Michigan State front office responded to our inquiries! They were extremely helpful with all information that we were looking for, helped us to score some great seats at the 50-yard-line, and even hooked us up with some Spartan gear to get us in the MSU spirit! A big thank you to Michigan State for being the first front office (take some notes Penn State) to come forth and help us out of the tour!
Now right off the bat, we need to say "Michigan State, we owe you one." You see, Wes was supposed to research the "to-do's" for this trip, but he neglected to do so we got there without a list of things to see. Drew was still recovering from the serious illness he caught in Penn State, so he wasn't able to get out & discover much on his own. So Michigan State, we will return next year to tailgate with our new found friends and see more of East Lansing, more of campus, and of course more of the night life.
Before arrival however, the trip started out GREAT as the Michigan State front office responded to our inquiries! They were extremely helpful with all information that we were looking for, helped us to score some great seats at the 50-yard-line, and even hooked us up with some Spartan gear to get us in the MSU spirit! A big thank you to Michigan State for being the first front office (take some notes Penn State) to come forth and help us out of the tour!
Thank You Michigan State!
The Tailgate
Thanks to Harriett Dean and her friends/family, a miserable start turned into a great day of tailgating. Check out the experience HERE!
The weather started out a bit rough, but the fans that paraded by the tailgate sure brightened things up. Everyone seemed to know everyone else passing by & the MSU fans were even cordial to the Central Michigan fans throughout the day.
By the time the game had ended, the sun was out & the tailgating proceeded into the early hours of the evening.
The weather started out a bit rough, but the fans that paraded by the tailgate sure brightened things up. Everyone seemed to know everyone else passing by & the MSU fans were even cordial to the Central Michigan fans throughout the day.
By the time the game had ended, the sun was out & the tailgating proceeded into the early hours of the evening.
The Game
The home team didn't get the win, but WOW, was this a good game. Read up on what we saw at the game HERE!
We don't really comment on the game itself as we leave that to the so-called experts at ESPN, Fox Sports, CBS Sports yada yada yada.
We will say that it was the most thrilling game to date (that's not saying much considering we saw Penn State/Akron the week prior) & were pleasantly surprised by how positively the MSU fans took the loss. We reminded them that it's only non-conference play and that they could still run the table in the Big 10.
We don't really comment on the game itself as we leave that to the so-called experts at ESPN, Fox Sports, CBS Sports yada yada yada.
We will say that it was the most thrilling game to date (that's not saying much considering we saw Penn State/Akron the week prior) & were pleasantly surprised by how positively the MSU fans took the loss. We reminded them that it's only non-conference play and that they could still run the table in the Big 10.
Best Fan
We understand that his name is John Spirit. He certainly has spirit as he paints himself green and rides that bike with a large flag tied to it all day long. He has attended many Superbowls and Bowl games, so its tough to find a fan more intense than he.
Runner Up #1
Runner Up #2
Best Tailgate
We searched the lots around the stadium and just didn't see anyone who could compete with where we were stationed. No else seemed to have such a spread and overwhelming enthusiasm as did the group in Lot #P. To read more on the best tailgate, just click HERE!
Best Shirt
The gentleman wearing this shirt did not want us to show his face on the blog (he must have feared being beat up by a Central Michigan fan). So with a little cropping, we bring it to you. Yes, the front of the shirt has been done before, but it's the back that had us laughing. I can't imagine that the Central Michigan fans love their Chippewa nickname being referred to as Chips.
Best Vehicle
It goes by "Old Skool" & is selling for about $70,000. That's about all we known this unique machine driving through Michigan.
We were hoping that another Chevy Lumina would win the Best Vehicle Award, but we couldn't pass this one up.
We were hoping that another Chevy Lumina would win the Best Vehicle Award, but we couldn't pass this one up.
Considering that we arrived in East Lansing with no plans whatsoever at 2 AM and stayed in a miserable hotel while 2 members were deathly ill, we all agreed that we all felt the Michigan State experiene to be an overwhelming positive one. & that's not just blowing smoke up your ass (see Penn State)!
We felt that all of the fans were accepting and acommodating any time that we approached them, offering up advice, answering questions, and being generally friendly.
The school kept the lots very clean as well - encouraging recycling and often coming by to unload the garbage cans as needed. There didn't seem to be an overwhelming amount of congestion anywhere, whether it be the ticket lines, the traffic, or the restrooms.
The fans at the game were our favorite part. They were loud when they needed to be and calmed down when the situation called for it. Different parts of the stadium worked seamlessly in executing the chants and the show put on by the mascot, Sparty, was very entertaining.
The school showed some true sportsmanship at halftime when the State and Central Michigan bands combined to put on one big act before play resumed.
The only negatives we experienced?
We weren't pleased how the guards sent us away with a clearly harmless purse while other guards let larger purses pass by.
The parking situation was also a bit shady - a large lot for those who don't have parking passes, BUT you can't drink! We must have asked at least 15 different crosswalk guards or pseudo-police officers for help, but not one of them knew what in god's name was going on.
Thank you EAST LANSING for a wonderful experience! We will be back next year!
We felt that all of the fans were accepting and acommodating any time that we approached them, offering up advice, answering questions, and being generally friendly.
The school kept the lots very clean as well - encouraging recycling and often coming by to unload the garbage cans as needed. There didn't seem to be an overwhelming amount of congestion anywhere, whether it be the ticket lines, the traffic, or the restrooms.
The fans at the game were our favorite part. They were loud when they needed to be and calmed down when the situation called for it. Different parts of the stadium worked seamlessly in executing the chants and the show put on by the mascot, Sparty, was very entertaining.
The school showed some true sportsmanship at halftime when the State and Central Michigan bands combined to put on one big act before play resumed.
The only negatives we experienced?
We weren't pleased how the guards sent us away with a clearly harmless purse while other guards let larger purses pass by.
The parking situation was also a bit shady - a large lot for those who don't have parking passes, BUT you can't drink! We must have asked at least 15 different crosswalk guards or pseudo-police officers for help, but not one of them knew what in god's name was going on.
Thank you EAST LANSING for a wonderful experience! We will be back next year!
Thank You Thank You Thank You!
Dean, Harriett - Inviting us to join their tailgate & most importantly providing a birthday cake
Michigan State Front Office - tickets to the game and MSU gear to get us in the spirit of Spartan football!
Michigan State Front Office - tickets to the game and MSU gear to get us in the spirit of Spartan football!
