"... I couldn’t help but think of how many people had helped me along the way. One of those people I wanted to personally thank for opening doors was Jimmy Raye. This book tells how some of those doors got pushed open. I’m sure you will enjoy reading about the journey!" - Tony DungyMichigan State
LA Times story on Bob Apisa and Marcus Mariota
Los Angeles Times columnist Bill Dywre wrote about the kindred spirit as Hawaiians and Samoans between Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota and Bob Apisa, the first Samoan All-American as a fullback at Michigan State recruited on Duffy Daugherty's Hawaiian Pipeline. Click here...
McNeill remains grateful for Dantonio endorsement
The 2010 Alamo Bowl crowd roared, the Texas Tech band played and bodies swirled around Red Raiders interim head coach Ruffin McNeill and Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio at midfield following the 2009 season’s bowl game played in San Antonio. Yet McNeill remembers a...
Texas key stop on Michigan State Underground Railroad
Thanks to Rick Gosselin for Twitter post on Raye of LightTweetDMN: Rick Gosselin's story on Gene Washington and Underground Railroad* * *I invite you to follow me on Twitter @shanny4055Tom Shanahan, Author: Raye of Light http://tinyurl.com/knsqtqu-- Book on Michigan State's...
Ferris State and Michigan State pioneer Gideon Smith honored
The American Football Coaches Association's website story on Gideon Smith selection to receive its AFCA: The Trailblazer Award.Follow up story from Jan. 12 award in LouisvilleThe award will be presented posthumously Jan. 12 in Louisville.AFCA: Gideon Smith Honored with 2014...
Mariota path to Heisman began with Bob Apisa
Marcus Mariota’s Heisman Trophy acceptance speech was touching and soon popular on Youtube. Fans listened to words spoken with humility that have been missing from recent Heisman winners of questionable character. The Oregon All-American quarterback thanked his college,...
Dantonio is Michigan State Destination Man
This time a year ago Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio's name was mentioned as a candidate for the vacant Texas job, but Dantonio was quick to squash the rumors. "I see Michigan State as a destination, not a stop" said the man who has resided in East Lansing 14 total seasons...
Shanahan enjoys homecoming book signing
By Greg Buckner, Pioneer Sports Editor Growing up in Big Rapids in the 1960s, Tom Shanahan was a big Michigan Stazte football fan and one of his favorite memories was watching the “Game of the Century” between the top two teams in the nation in the Spartans and Notre...
Graves sheds new light on Michigan State 1974 goal line stand
The wonder of history is an untold story always surfaces years later. Tommy Graves, Michigan State’s All-Big Ten second-team safety as a 1974 freshman that was robbed of future greatness by knee injuries, tells one 40 years later. It's about the Spartans’ monumental 16-13 upset...
Ferris State hired Smith with Michigan State blueprint dreams
The Michigan State Mafia was an affectionate term for the number of assistants Biggie Munn and Duffy Daugherty placed in jobs around the country in their time as Spartans head coaches – Munn from 1947 to 1953 and Daugherty 1954 to 1972. Men such as Earle Edwards were named the...
Duffy called QB option for final upset of Ohio State in 1972
Forty-plus years later it’s a moment Michigan State’s 1972 football team can celebrate despite an otherwise underachieving season that turned out to be their College Hall of Fame coach’s final season. The Spartans finished with a 5-5-1 record, but when the record had slipped to...