MILESTONE MOMENTS

When a school has participated in intercollegiate athletics for over a century, milestones are moments to be remembered and collected. While opportunities to win increase with extended seasons, the longevity of excellence required to set a high water mark becomes increasingly difficult.

Here’s a memorabilia timeline of coaching milestones for football, basketball and hockey at Michigan State University.

September 21, 2019

THE COACH - Mark Dantonio earns win #110 as head coach of Michigan State football to pass Duffy Daugherty as the all-time winningest coach in Spartan history.

THE GAME - Michigan State defeated Northwestern in Evanston, 31-10.

Here’s one that is fresh in all our collective memories. For a reminder, read all about this season’s victory from The Only Colors.

Spartantiques Collection

November 28, 2009

THE COACH - Tom Izzo earns win #341 as head coach of Michigan State basketball to pass Jud Heathcote as the all-time winningest coach in Spartan history.

THE GAME - Michigan State defeated University of Massachusets in Atlantic City, 106-68.

Tom Izzo had to wait a day to earn his record setting victory after an upset loss to Florida in the semi-finals of the Legends Classic Tournament. Michigan State won the third place game, led by Chris Allen (18 points) and Raymar Morgan (17 points). Izzo was presented with a plaque by his players congratulating him on “leaving a footprint in the sand”, one of his favorite phrases.

Spartantiques Collection

November 21, 1992

THE COACH - Ron Mason earns win #368 as head coach of Michigan State hockey to pass Amo Bessone as the all-time winningest coach in Spartan history.

THE GAME - Michigan State defeated Illinois-Chicago in East Lansing, 6-2.

Michigan State scored three goals in the first ten minutes to cruise to a 6-2 victory over the Flames to give MSU a weekend series sweep. Chris Sullivan scored his first collegiate goal to start the night, followed by goals from Steve Guolla, Brian Clifford, Rem Murray, Bryan Smolinski and Bart Turner in front of 6,520 fans at Munn Ice Arena.

Spartantiques Collection

February 10, 1990

THE COACH - Jud Heathcote earns win #233 as head coach of Michigan State basketball to pass Ben Van Alstyne as the all-time winningest coach in Spartan history.

THE GAME - Michigan State defeated Ohio State in Columbus, 84-75.

Steve Smith (25 pts), Kirk Manns (24 pts) and Matt Steigenga (13 pts) led the Spartans to a second half comeback victory over a balanced Ohio State scoring attack. Heathcote commenting on Parish Hickman (10 pts) blowing back to back dunks and airballing a layup; “Yeah, we’re nicknaming him ‘Dunkaroo’ - I told Parish I thought they’d outlawed shots like that.”

Spartantiques Collection

(This program is from win #227 and not from the game at Columbus. If you have the 1990 MSU at OSU game program, please let me know in the comments)

November 6, 1965

THE COACH - Duffy Daugherty earns win #71 as head coach of Michigan State football to pass Charlie Bachman as the all-time winningest coach in Spartan history.

THE GAME - Michigan State defeated Iowa in Iowa City, 35-0.

The win assured Michigan State would claim its second Big Ten Championship. Clinton Jones scored four touchdowns to lead the way for the Spartans. The vaunted Spartan defense held Iowa to 85 yards passing and 1 yard rushing for the game.

Spartantiques Collection

January 22, 1953

THE COACH - Amo Bessone earns win #9 as head coach of Michigan State hockey to pass John Kobs as the all-time winningest coach in Spartan history.

THE GAME - Michigan State defeated Ontario Agricultural College in East Lansing, 13-1.

Hockey at Michigan State was suspended from 1931-1949. Harold Paulson coached from 1950-51 before Amo Bessone took over for a 28 season stay as head hockey coach at Michigan State.

(If you have a 1950-53 MSC hockey game program, please let me know in the comments)

October 27, 1944

THE COACH - Charlie Bachman earns win #59 as head coach of Michigan State football to pass Chester Brewer as the all-time winningest coach in Spartan history.

THE GAME - Michigan State defeated Wayne in Detroit, 32-0.

As reported by Hal Schram in the State Journal:

“With expected ease, Michigan State College ran and passed its way to a 32-0 football victory over Wayne University here Friday night before 10,500 spectators in U. of D. Stadium. It was the Spartans fifth straight triumph of the season and seventh over the Tarters since 1936.”

Michigan State wasn’t forced to punt in the game and Wayne never crossed the 50 yard line. Jack Breslin led the way with two touchdowns scored for the Spartans.

Private Collection

December 10, 1932

THE COACH - Ben Van Alstyne earns win #71 as head coach of Michigan State basketball to pass Chester Brewer as the all-time winningest coach in Spartan history.

THE GAME - Michigan State defeated University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, 20-17 OT.

It was a defensive battle at Yost Fieldhouse, as star guard Alton Kircher led the way for Michigan State with a game high 9 points. Regaining his shooting touch after a strenuous football season, Kircher gutted out the second half with a severely bruised ankle. Jerry McCaslin and William Vondette converted clutch free throws in the overtime session to seal the victory.

Spartantiqes Collection

(If you have a 1932 MSC basketball game program, please let me know in the comments)

January 26, 1906

THE COACH - Chester Brewer earns win #12 game as head coach of M.A.C. basketball to pass George Denham as the all-time winningest coach in Aggie history.

THE GAME - M.A.C. defeated Owosso YMCA in East Lansing, 76-12.

The 1906 Aggies finished 11-2 with 2 losses coming from the Ann Arbor YMCA.

Spartantiques Collection

October 15, 1904

THE COACH - Chester Brewer earns win #9 as head coach of M.A.C. football to pass Henry Keep as the all-time winningest coach in Aggie history.

THE GAME - M.A.C. defeated Port Huron YMCA in East Lansing, 29-0.

The 1904 Aggies finished 8-1 outscoring their opponents 380-16.

Spartantiques Collection

Spartantiques Collection

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SPAR-TAN CAVE OF THE WEEK

I’ve seen a lot of great custom Michigan State game room equipment. Custom pool tables, bubble hockey, shuffleboard, all with a Spartan motif. But, I’ve never seen anything like what a Detroit area super collector shared with me last week.

Behold, the Izzo College Basketball Game Arcade:

Private Collection

This custom cabinet houses a PC/emulator that plays over 10,000 video games. The design of the arcade cabinet is from the 1995 EA Sports game “Coach K College Basketball” for the Sega Genesis.

Private Collection

“That particular game came out my freshman year at Michigan State and resulted in countless late nights playing as “Fire & Ice” in Holden Hall. It also was partially responsible for several of us ending up on academic probation that first year!! So the cabinet artwork is definitely an homage to one of my favorite games and favorite times at Michigan State.”

The base of the arcade is a piece of Jenison Field House floor bought from Hobie’s before they closed. The sign panel is personally signed by Izzo at a Rebounders Club meeting last fall. What a fun way to enjoy a custom collectible!

Thanks to the owner for sharing on Spartantiques Collectors Corner.

I’d love to see what Michigan State memorabilia you have in your Spar-Tan Cave. Comment here or find me @SPARTANTIQUES on Twitter.