"... 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
Hall of Famer Clinton Jones returns to Waldorf Astoria
Clinton Jones dressed in a tuxedo 49 years ago for his first invitation to the Waldorf Astoria’s august ballroom in New York. He represented the Spartans as a two-time Michigan State All-American halfback three weeks after the 1966 Game of the Century. He’s been invited back for...
Purchase Raye of Light Today
Praise for Raye of Light from the Detroit Free Press, Chicago Tribune, USA Today and more media outlets.Raye of Light available from Barnes and Noble, Amazon.come and from the publisher. Click below for publisher's site:http://rayeoflightbook.com/ordering-information/Click for...
Clinton Jones named to College Football Hall of Fame
Here is the press release from the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame that announced Michigan State two-time All-American halfback Clinton Jones as a member of the Hall of Fame Class of 2015. He will be enshrined with the class on Dec. 8 at the...
The Big O and Jumpin Johnny wrote history to recognize
Oscar Robertson, Johnny Green and North Carolina State’s 1958 Dixie Classic ran through my mind as I watched the four-day high school basketball celebration that was the 43rd annual Holiday Invitational last week at Raleigh's storied Holliday Gym on Broughton High's campus.I...
Hawaiian Pipeline legacy enjoys Heisman view
Charles “Kale” Ane knows the look of a Heisman Trophy candidate. He faced enough of them as Michigan State’s starting center from 1972 to 1974 upon legendary coach Duffy Daugherty recruiting him through his famed Hawaiian Pipeline. Among them were Ohio State running back...
McNeill recognizes path Raye helped clear to Birmingham
The frame of reference of today’s college football players dates merely two decades, meaning it is not necessarily unusual to see African-American Ruffin McNeal lead East Carolina into a bowl game as the Pirates’ head coach.But such a moment is significant when it's the...
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...