On Campus — Favorite MSU Alumni
For every 500 MSU athletes who graduate with honor and class, there’s one Plaxico Burress.
When the New York Giants wide receiver recently shot himself in the leg and was arrested on felony gun charges, I saw some variation of this headline in local papers: “Ex-MSU star shoots self!”
Now you and I both know that most, if not all, Spartans alumni are smart enough not to shoot themselves. It’s news like Burress’ quick trigger that gives East Lansing a little bit of a black eye — not to mention fellow MSU wide receivers Andre “Bad Moon” Rison (unpaid child support), Mark Ingram (bank fraud and money laundering) and wide receiver Charles Rogers (effort fraud and failed marijuana laundering).
But for all the negative press surrounding the former MSU star, this is a happy place for Spartans.
So for today’s list, Plaxico is put in the past. Here are my favorite Spartans athletics alumni who graduated from MSU, based both on athletic performance and personal character:
1. Basketball guard Steve Smith — The NBA player and Spartan from the late 1980s was a solid pro player, but Smith has made his name in what he has given back to MSU. An academic building is named after Smith’s mother and he has given millions to the university.
2. Football defensive end Bubba Smith — Maybe it’s the surname “Smith” that makes you a successful MSU athlete and one of my favorites. Or maybe it’s that you had your own chant of “Kill, Bubba, Kill!” and acted in “Police Academy” movies.
3. Hockey goaltender Ryan Miller — Although he was only the second member of the Miller family to win the Hobey Baker Award (cousin Kip snagged it in 1990), Ryan has obtained the biggest contract ($30 million), started a foundation for families with cancer patients and founded a clothing store in East Lansing. Take that, Kip.
4. Football wide receiver/baseball outfielder Kirk Gibson — Gibby has been an MSU alum and Michigan native through-and-through. Although he only played one season of baseball in a Spartans uniform, Gibson is one of the program’s most notable products in the Majors and has returned to the Tigers in many capacities.
5. Basketball forward Greg Kelser — “Special K” won a national title at MSU (with a little bit of Magic) and had a serviceable NBA career before getting behind the microphone. There, Kelser has become a basketball staple, mixing a classy tone, solid game analysis and an occasional spark of personality (need I remind you?) to become one of the profession’s best.
Jump to commentsThe Huddle

Sports reporter Jacob Carpenter examines sports issues from the past and present.
Subscribe.FEATURED CLASSIFIEDS:More classifieds»
in Employment:
in Apts. For Rent:
- GRAND 1-2 bdrm for Fall '10. Recently Remodeled, S...
- OLD ORCHARD apartments. 2 bdrm for $500, 1 bdrm fo...
- RIVER GLEN, 2 bdrm, furn. All apts w/ balcony. Acr...
in Houses/Rent:
- AVAIL. AUG. '10. 1031 Daisy. Private, Lic.1, 1 bdr...
- AVAILABLE AUG '10. new kitchen! 5 bdrm/2 bath. Lic...
- LIVE IN housekeeper needed. Free room + board. 51...
in Recreation:
- Popular
- 4 freshmen charged with bomb possession; face prison time, fines
- Four MSU students arrested on felony explosives charges
- Spartan fan base's actions reflect poorly on MSU
- Last-second TD spoils MSU's upset bid
- Friends say student charged for terrorist threat hinted suicide
- 17-year-old charged with threatening terrorism
- U2 concert holds little value for current MSU generation
- Officials fear extension funding soon will be cut
- Hawkeye heartbreak
- Gay marriage rights lost in Maine, local fight persists
- Newest
- Icers tie Mavericks, lose shootout
- Spartans end season on strong note with 1-0 win
- Field hockey advances to Big Ten championship
- MSU student dies in hit-and-run accident in Detroit
- Police brief 11/06/09
- Spartans overcome Mavericks 3-0 at Munn Ice Arena
- Beatings of 2 men in E.L. still being investigated
- Head coach Suzy Merchant expecting 2nd child in spring
- Women's basketball defeats Wayne State 79-47
- Lost in red tape
- Comments
-
Karen said: 2 teachers who have lived in Thailand for a year? Sounds like a PERFECT team to me!
(added 53 minutes ago) more » -
Concerned ASMSU Member said: I feel slightly disheartened after reading this article.
(added 1 hour ago) more » -
John Q. Public said: Typical college student ignorance!!! Have any of YOU been homeless?
(added 1 hour ago) more » -
Craig said: Hmmm, this guy sounds like a bitter loser who must not have made the the semifinals.
(added 1 hour ago) more » -
Tim said: MDis a Bobbie Williams retread!
WMU 35
MSU 21
Not even close today.
(added 4 hours ago) more »
-
Karen said: 2 teachers who have lived in Thailand for a year? Sounds like a PERFECT team to me!
- Sat 7th
-
West Coast Swing dance lessons
starts at 7:00pm -
West Coast Swing dance lessons
starts at 8:00pm -
John Pfahl, Altered Landscapes
All day
-
West Coast Swing dance lessons
- Sun 8th
-
West Coast Swing dance lessons
starts at 7:00pm -
West Coast Swing dance lessons
starts at 8:00pm -
John Pfahl, Altered Landscapes
All day
-
West Coast Swing dance lessons
- Mon 9th
-
West Coast Swing dance lessons
starts at 7:00pm -
West Coast Swing dance lessons
starts at 8:00pm -
John Pfahl, Altered Landscapes
All day
-
West Coast Swing dance lessons
- Tue 10th
-
West Coast Swing dance lessons
starts at 7:00pm -
West Coast Swing dance lessons
starts at 8:00pm -
John Pfahl, Altered Landscapes
All day
-
West Coast Swing dance lessons
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK:More reprints »
Senior linebacker Brandon Denson holds up the Paul Bunyan Trophy after the Spartans defeated Michigan in overtime 26-20 Saturday afternoon at Spartan Stadium.
Powered by reprints.statenews.com.









okemos chief
12/02/08 10:40pm6. Matt Steigenga: Played for a minute in the NBA, got a championship ring, divorced a knockout periodontist, shacks up with college girls half his age, and regularly supports the East Lansing bar scene like he is a junior in college at age 40.
This could be fun we could keep the list going…
funny
12/02/08 10:47pm7. Somebody pleeeeease do Jeff Smoker – what is he up to?
David
12/03/08 2:27amTony “juicy juice” Mandrich, George “give me another drink” Perles are a couple of winners that come to mind.
JoshNC
12/03/08 9:32amA certain Magic Johnson comes to mind
Southern Spartan
12/03/08 9:32amHow is Magic Johnson not on this list?
Sparty
12/03/08 1:53pmWhat about James Caan??? he is the man, and won a NC at STATE for football!! or the writer of “TOP GUN,” considered by many to be the best date movie of all time. Or the guy who wrote “Legends of the Fall??” I could go on forever. Or Eric Snow, his wife is on the “real housewives of Atlanta??”
Forget Magic
12/03/08 3:27pmMagic hasn’t done anything for MSU or for the city of Lansing? He shows up when people pay him to show up at events in Lansing. Also he only supports MSU during big games when he knows the country will see his face on TV. Maybe if he gave back instead of constantly taking he might make a list. Don’t forget he cancelled an event early this week in East Lansing because of a lack of interest (meaning no one would buy whatever item he was selling so he didn’t bother showing up).
am i crazy
12/03/08 4:05pmwho is matt steegenga?
el bouncer
12/03/08 4:17pmHe is the tall old dude at Dublin Square every night hitting on college chicks. I’ve heard his girlfriend is a college student who was a cart girl at Walnut Hills or something. He played ball for like 4 years in the late 80’s.
DC Spartan
12/04/08 12:37pmAlso, Magic isn’t an alumni of MSU, he left after two seasons