MSU and Michigan players, fans join together in moment of silence to honor shooting victims
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - In its first game since a campus shooting claimed the lives of three students earlier this week, Michigan State fell just shy of a win against in-state foe Michigan. The Wolverines pulled away, 84-72, in the final minutes of the game.
The Spartans received a warm welcome to the campus of their usually heated rival prior to tip-off. Michigan's team and its student section wore special shirts to show support for Michigan State, and fans greeted the visitors with a standing ovation when they took the court to warm up.
Both teams observed a lengthy moment of silence in an arena bathed in green lights before the Michigan pep band played Michigan State's alma mater while students held up a "Spartan Strong" flag. The heads of both schools' student government also met at midcourt in a show of solidarity. Head coach Tom Izzo teared up while standing with his team in "Spartan Strong" T-shirts during the pre-game ceremony.
Izzo said earlier in the week that he hoped the game would serve as a chance to return to normalcy for his players and an opportunity for a community to being to heal together. He said the messages of support he received from many fellow coaches, including Michigan's Juwan Howard, helped during one of the darkest stretches of his 28-year head-coaching career in East Lansing.
On Monday, a 43-year-old gunman unassociated with the university killed three students and shot five others who remain in the hospital. The gunman took his own life after he was approached by police later Monday night.
Michigan State shut down all campus activities for 48 hours in the wake of the shooting, including postponing all sporting events. The Spartans also skipped a trip to Minnesota earlier this week. The team practiced throughout the week after meeting at Izzo's home Tuesday morning. Izzo said that the team didn't consider skipping Saturday's game because they hoped playing again would provide a way to move forward for themselves and for others in the community.
The women's basketball team also returned to action Saturday, hosting Maryland in a loss Saturday afternoon. Several other Spartans' sports teams returned to play this weekend. Classes are scheduled to resume on Monday.
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