Michigan State Football: 8 Reasons East Lansing Is the Best Game-Day Experience

It’s not so much the game itself, as it is the experience of actually going to see a college football team.

The weather conditions in East Lansing aren’t perfect. It’s not Florida and it can be brutally wet and cold, but that is simply a badge of honor for Michigan State fans who are happy to show they will support their team through anything. They will gladly weather snow, sleet, freezing rain or even blizzards just to see the Spartans win.

Michigan State traditions go way back and that’s what makes it one of the best college football towns. Here is a brief history:

In 1952, the Spartans joined the Big Ten Conference. They changed their name to the Spartans because a newspaperman thought their previous name, the Michigan Stater, was too boring.

Here is a list of why Michigan State is considered one of the best college towns for football.

8. The Tailgate at the Tennis Courts

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SOUTH BEND, IN - SETPEMBER 19: Fans tailgate in the parking lot before a game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Michigan State Spartans on September 19, 2009 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Tailgating is one of the best traditions before any college football game, but after seeing the tennis courts filled with die-hard Michigan State fans, it is hard to top the devotion they have.

For evening games, fans start gathering as early as 1 p.m., and for noon games, they start at 7 a.m. It’s not just about the game itself. It’s about the before-and-after activities that last the whole day, and tailgating is a must-do activity.

7. The Frisbee-Catching Dog

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ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 1: Fans of the Michigan State Spartans cheer play against the Georgia Bulldogs at the 2009 Capital One Bowl at the Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

A dog, really?

Zeke, the Wonder Dog, has been a halftime attraction since 1977 and fans love to see this dog do amazing tricks at halftime. Zeke died in 1981 but loyal Spartans just couldn’t get enough and Zeke made his triumphant return in 2001 and hasn’t stopped since.

To show how serious Michigan State actually is about Zeke, they hold tryouts after every Zeke retires.

6. Seeing People Dress Up in Spartan Costumes

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21 Oct 2000: The Michigan State Spartans mascot looks on the field during the game against the Michigan Wolverines at the Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Wolverines defeated the Spartans 14-0.Mandatory Credit: Tom Pidgeon /Allsport

People-watching is great anywhere, but before, during and after a game, some fans dress up as Sparty, the mascot. Even friends of a decked-out Sparty may not know the identity of the person in the costume, but they are certain of one thing: He is a Michigan State fan.

5. The Stadium

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EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 01: Chris Rucker #16 of the Michigan State Spartans can't come with with a fourth quarter touchdown pass in front of Niles Brinkley #29 of the Wisconsin Badgers on November 1, 2008 at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan.

Every Big Ten football stadium is big, but each one has its own traditions. Spartan Stadium opened in 1923. It holds up to 75,000 and ranks 20th in size in college football, fifth in the Big Ten.

Fans expect a win from their Spartans, and usually, they don’t disappoint. Seeing the colors green and white fill the stadium is something worth seeing in itself.

4. Michigan vs. Michigan St.

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ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 2: Ronald Bellamy #19 of the Michigan Wolverines catches the ball over Roderick Maples #17 and Eric Smith #36 of the Michigan State Spartans on November 2, 2002 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan defeated Michi

I could upset Michigan St. fans by mentioning their record against hated rival Michigan, so I’ll just say it’s a lot to a little, in favor of Michigan.

Still, Michigan St. hasn’t lost since 2007 to Michigan and Michigan St. fans believe the tide has turned for good. Some people like to say that every game means the same, and that’s true technically, but the atmosphere is completely different between long-time rivals than it is, say, when Michigan St. plays a Northern Colorado team.

3. Sparty, the Statue

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EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 08: The Spartan statue is seen prior to the game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Purdue Boilermakers at Spartan Stadium on November 8, 2008 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

This 9'7" statue weighs a total of 6,600 pounds and is now located in the stadium. To me, it represents Michigan St. never backing down from any opponent, just like the Greek Spartans.

Before every Michigan versus Michigan St. football game, band members protect the statue from being destroyed. Some students touch it before a game as well.

2. The Marching Band

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22 Sep 2001: The Michigan State Spartans Band plays during the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. The Spartans defeated the Fighting Irish 17-10.Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport

The 300-member marching band is one of the oldest traditions at Michigan St. It started way back in 1870, and still continues to pump up students and players.

1. Traditions

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SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 20: Running back Jaren Hayes #31 of Michigan State is greeted with hugs from teammates after scoring on a 73 yard run against Notre Dame during a game on September 20, 2003 at the Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. Mich

Some of the best football fans in the world root for their Spartans. Spartan fans understand that tradition and respect are necessary to be an ultimate fan.

Michigan St. has won a total of seven Big Ten championships, but it is on a path to more victories with this atmosphere.