keep calm and sparty on

So interesting!

gamedayr:

Behind the Nickname: Michigan State Spartans

Let’s swing by the banks of the Old Red Cedar and look into how the Spartan’s became, well, the Spartans. Now in case you slept through your ancient history class, you probably know what a Spartan is. For those who did nod off, here’s a refresher. In ancient Greece/Greek Empire there was a state called Sparta. They got a reputation of being the biggest bad asses in the world. This was built upon a battle in which 300 Spartan warriors (and a smattering of some other troops which led to a total of 500, tops) fought thousands upon thousands of Persians and held out much longer than they should have. This is why so many schools use Spartans as a team name; but why, specifically did Michigan State? Find out now.

In 1925 the school changed names from something agricultural (and the “Aggie” name) to Michigan State College of Agriculture and Applied Science. A huge step forward. This was shortened to M.S.C; but as the school grew it eventually became a university and went by MSU. Since the school wanted to look beyond its Aggie roots; the search for a new name ensued. The winning submission in 1925 was the……Michigan Staters. As a result they went through the losing submissions to find something with a bit more muscle. Spartans was selected. I am curious though, if the winning submission had stuck would they be the Michigan State Staters or just Michigan Staters; leading to confusion with the other school? Were they planning to use it another way, hmm?

As MSU was going through their rebranding phase, there was once a comparison between the land grant schools in the US to the old education system in Sparta, since MSU’s early history includes a land grant back in the days of Honest Abe. That lead to the “Spartans”, a great name with a historic connection that instills fear. Perfect.

More Behind the Nickname:

Behind The Nickname: Illinois Fighting Illini

Behind The Nickname: Indiana Hoosiers

Behind The Nickname: Iowa Hawkeyes

Behind The Nickname: Michigan Wolverines

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Thu, 10 May 2012 14:22:49 -0400

dr0pbassnotbombs: #catholicschoolgirlproblems

Tue, 08 May 2012 23:37:03 -0400

dr0pbassnotbombs:

#catholicschoolgirlproblems

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Sun, 06 May 2012 23:57:20 -0400

when i hold the door open for someone and they don't say thank you

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 13:45:32 -0400

butitsonsale:

In my head I’m like,

The Tampa Bay Rays’ ground crew dance to The Sugarhill Gang’s...

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 17:49:35 -0400

The Tampa Bay Rays’ ground crew dance to The Sugarhill Gang’s “Apache”

dippin-d0ts: awe omg

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 18:11:29 -0400

dippin-d0ts:

awe omg

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