Reflecting on History, Looking Ahead to New Age of Michigan State Sports

Michigan State football and men's basketball are both entering a new era.

A makeshift good luck shrine to MSU basketball coach Tom Izzo and the team sits on pieces of the basketball court floor the Spartans won the 2000 championship on at the Michigan State University Surplus Store on Thursday, March 23, 2023, in East Lansing. Customers can buy a piece of the historic floor at through the store. 230322 Msu Surplus 033a | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA

Michigan State has existed since the mid-1800s, starting as the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan. In 1964, it switched gears and became Michigan State University, broadening its horizons.

In the field of sports, it has been pretty good overall. In terms of football, back in the day, the Spartans were decent, but things really heated up in the 1950s and 1960s under Coach Duffy Daugherty.

Michigan State snagged its first national championship in 1952 and then did it again in 1965. That second win was a big deal, with stars like Bubba Smith and George Webster tearing up the field.

Men's basketball's another story. Michigan State started making noise in the 1970s and 1980s thanks to Coach Jud Heathcote. But it was Tom Izzo who took it to the next level when he took over in 1995. In 2000, the Spartans won the national championship with players like Mateen Cleaves leading the charge.

That win put Izzo on the map as one of the best coaches out there.

Michigan State didn't stop there. In 2009, it made it to the national championship game. After that, the Spartans would reach the Final Four twice more -- once in 2015 and again in 2019. Led by Cassius Winston and Xavier Tillman, the 2019 Michigan State team defeated one of the greatest rosters in recent memory, a Duke team led by Zion Williamson, before falling short against Texas A&M in the Final Four.

Besides winning titles, Michigan State's football and basketball teams have pumped out tons of talent. You've got guys who have gone on to shine in college and even the pros. With their dedication to being great and the crazy support from its fans, Michigan State's football and basketball programs are here to stay as powerhouses in the world of college sports.

With Izzo nearing the end of his tenure with Michigan State basketball and Jonathan Smith approaching his first season as the head coach of the football team, the Spartans have a clean slate, and it’s like a whole new ball game. Michigan State has faced a lot of controversy and adversity in the last couple of years on the football team, but Smith seems to be a gateway to a fresh start.

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