Dan Bartholomae is already making a play for Michigan State students, and he’s doing it with free cover and pizza.
In his first 1.5 months on the job, the new MSU athletic director has wasted little time showing he understands where the pressure points are. Football spending remains a priority, but another obvious issue has been Spartan Stadium attendance, especially when it comes to the student section. Bartholomae’s answer is simple: give students a reason to stay.
The hook is Fieldhouse, one of the more popular bars in East Lansing. Students who stick around through the game can get free cover with a post-game stamp, and the first 100 students with that stamp will also land a free hot honey pepperoni pizza.
“We've got your post-game plans covered 🏈🍕 pic.twitter.com/Yw62vCKUNZ”
For Michigan State, where the student section is often thin late in games, the idea is aimed squarely at the crowd that tends to disappear after halftime. This setup gives students an incentive to stay put, while also funneling extra business to Fieldhouse in the process. It’s a win on both sides, and it should help keep at least the lower bowl of the student section more full on Saturday.
The plan only works for students who are of legal age to drink, of course, but that’s part of the point. The students most likely to stay are often the ones who are not heading straight to the bars anyway.
Bartholomae’s message so far has been clear: he’s listening, and he’s willing to act on what he hears. Beyond this promotion, he’s also said he plans to resource the football program so it can compete right away. If he follows through, that could go a long way toward waking up a program that’s been waiting for the right push.
For now, though, the early proof point is a pretty good one: free cover, free pizza, and a direct pitch to keep students in their seats until the final whistle.
In Other News...
Michigan State Is Sending A Clear Message About Pat Fitzgerald's Fire
Michigan States recent trip to Illinois had no shortage of frustration, and Pat Fitzgerald showed just how much the moment got under his skin after a disputed offsides call went against his team. The Spartans head coach reacted with a middle finger gesture toward officials, a flash of emotion that quickly became part of the postgame conversation before Fitzgerald later apologized for it at a press conference.
Even with the apology, Michigan State is making it clear it does not see the incident as something that defines Fitzgeralds approach. Athletic director Dan Bartholomae publicly backed the coachs passion and enthusiasm, saying he appreciated the energy Fitzgerald brings to the program. For a team looking to channel intensity in the right direction, that kind of support suggests the Spartans would rather focus on the fire than dwell on the flare-up. [Read more 🡒]
Tom Izzo Sends Michigan State Football A Message Fans Needed
A public vote of confidence from Tom Izzo carries real weight in East Lansing, and the longtime Michigan State basketball coach made sure the football program got one after a bruising stretch. Speaking at a press conference, Izzo backed Pat Fitzgerald and the Spartans direction, offering the kind of steady support that resonates with fans who have been looking for a reason to stay patient.
Izzos message mattered because it came after a close overtime loss, the sort of result that can leave a fan base frustrated and searching for bigger answers. By urging support for the football team and its coach, he tried to shift the conversation back toward belief and continuity, a familiar move from a program figure who understands how quickly moods can swing when the results are tight and the questions start piling up. [Read more 🡒]
Tom Izzo May Have A New Michigan State Center To Trust
Freshman center Ethan Taylor has already given Tom Izzo something to chew on early this season, and that matters in East Lansing. The Michigan State coach has praised Taylors motor and the progress he has made, a notably different tone than the one he used when discussing former player Xavier Booker. For a program that often leans on trust, toughness and steady development down the middle, Taylors emergence has been one of the early surprises.
The bigger question now is how quickly that trust turns into a larger role. Veteran Anton Bonke is still the current starter, but Taylors play has created the possibility that he could take over the position as the season goes on. Izzos comments suggest he sees more than just a useful freshman, and for Michigan State, that kind of early belief can change the shape of a frontcourt in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]