For at least 24 hours, it was OK to be a Spartan again.
Sunday’s 68-67 win over Duke in the NCAA basketball
tournament East Regional final lifted Michigan State not only to the “Final
Four” next weekend in Minneapolis, but it also lifted the spirits around the beleaguered
East Lansing campus after nearly two years of controversy.
Monday’s publishing of the “Teal Report” in the school’s
alumni program that spotlighted the Larry Nassar scandal, an article that
former Interim President John Engler killed during his brief, stormy tenure, is
a reminder of the stained past that MSU is just starting to emerge from. Last
week’s issuing of another second-degree criminal sexual assault charge against
former Dean William Strampel, who was Dr. Nassar’s superior with the Green and
White, may reopen wounds afresh.
The Spartans’ football and men’s basketball programs had to
answer to allegations from the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network
about violations, allegations that coaches Mark Dantonio and Tom Izzo,
respectively, refuted and have, to this point, not been substantiated by school
and NCAA investigations.
Izzo caught media heat last week for his on-court tirade
against Aaron Henry during a first-round game against Murray State, with some
calling for his removal or for university discipline. None was forthcoming, and
Henry responded with improved performances, including a starring role in last
Friday’s regional semifinal victory over Louisiana State.
As for the basketball team itself, it has had to answer
questions throughout the season due to injuries to key players and the losses
last spring of two performers to the NBA.
Through it all, the school’s current slogan – Spartans Will –
stood as a testimony to the squad, its personnel, and to a certain extent, all
involved with Michigan State University. Some had questioned whether the Green
and White would ever fully recover from these body blows, least of all to its
image.
The wrongs that happened in the Nassar scandal and in the alleged
actions by Dean Strampel are not to be glossed over, and the healing that is
needed will come slowly. However, if any school’s nickname is emblematic of its
spirit, then the name Spartans is very much appropriate for Michigan State
University.
Glad to be back on the blog after five weeks subbing for
Eddie on Talk of the Town …
Thanks!
