Michigan State University Athletics to Resume Games This Weekend

All Michigan State University competitions will resume this weekend, according to Michigan State Athletics, both home and road competitions. However, events are subject to change.

The decision follows careful discussion with mental health professionals, MSU leadership and student athletes and staff. Michigan State University was home to a deadly mass shooting on Monday (Feb. 13).

“The safety and physical and mental well-being of our students and staff is the primary focus of Michigan State athletics,” MSU vice president and director of athletics Alan Haller said in a statement. “In consultation with mental health professionals and in conversations with our student-athletes it became apparent that a return to practice and competition is a crucial part of their recovery. Student-athletes were given an active voice in the decision to return to competition, as well as the autonomy to make their own individual choices about participation.”

Haller added, “Athletics can be a rallying point for a community in need of healing, a fact many of our student-athletes have mentioned to me. The opportunity to represent our entire community has never felt greater. I also recognize that everyone grieves in their own unique manner, and there are some who aren’t ready to return to athletic events. Those feelings are incredibly valid, and as Coach Izzo so eloquently stated last night, I hope that we will all focus on taking care of one another.”

The following includes MSU’s weekend game schedule. Game dates, times and locations are subject to change:

• Saturday, Feb. 18 at 3 pm: MSU women’s basketball team will host Maryland at The Breslin Center
• Saturday, Feb. 18 at 8 p.m: Michigan State-Michigan men’s basketball game will be played at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor.
• Saturday, Feb. 18 at 10 am: Michigan State men’s tennis will not travel to Virginia for matches at Virginia Tech and VCU as originally planned. Instead, the Spartans will remain home and host Drake Saturday at 10 a.m., in a rescheduled event which was initially slated for Wednesday, Feb. 15.
• Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 18 and 19: Michigan State hockey traveled to Madison, Wisconsin, on Wednesday in advance of its Friday and Saturday contests.