Why I’m a Spartan
My name is Madeline Warren. I became a Spartan when I was just six years old and I sure am glad I did. I started watching football about the time Mark Dantonio was hired as head coach and became mesmerized. I quickly fell in love with Michigan State football. One of the games I remember the most was the 2012 Outback Bowl. It was Kirk Cousins’ last game at MSU and the first bowl game victory of the Dantonio era. I remember I was yelling at the T.V. for most of the game. I was disappointed when Georgia’s kicker, Blair Walsh, and his Bulldog teammates lined up for the field goal that would put the game into the 4th overtime. I remember watching the play with my parents as it was blocked by Anthony Rashad White. My parents flipped out. I just sat there silent . . . stunned. It took me a while to realize what had happened, but when I did I was so excited! Final Score: MSU 33, Georgia 30. At that moment I realized it was great to be a Spartan.
For my 11th birthday I got a copy of Heart of a Spartan, written by Jack Ebling. I read it and fell in love even more with MSU football. In March of 2013, my dad was offered the job by Jack to be the producer for his current radio show. After much discussion he accepted and The Drive with Jack was born. That December, MSU beat Ohio State, 34-24, in the Big Ten Championship game, to grant them a spot in the Rose Bowl. My Dad was going to go west with the rest of the radio show. My mom and I knew that we had to get tickets and find a way to get to Pasadena. We got tickets from our friends and booked our flight to Los Angeles!
We arrived in L.A. and went to our hotel downtown. We did some sightseeing, even a tour of celebrity houses! On New Year’s Eve, my Dad, Mom, Jack and I drove to Santa Monica Pier and ate at Bubba Gump Shrimp (Jack said eating there would be good luck because of MSU legend, Bubba Smith). The next morning we went to the rose parade and soon after The 100th Rose Bowl! I got a little scared when Stanford got a strong lead in the first quarter. MSU finally took the lead in the 4th quarter thanks to Tony Lippett’s touchdown. Soon after I experienced history. Linebacker Kyler Elsworth jumped over the middle of a mass pile of offensive and defensive lineman to make the amazing, game-winning tackle, confirming the Rose Bowl victory for Michigan State. Mark Dantonio’s words after the game will stick with me the rest of my life. The announcer asked him how the victory felt he said “completion”. Completion that MSU became something more than just another team in the Big Ten. Michigan State is so much more. To me, Michigan State is a sensation.
