I had the opportunity to take my oldest son, Elijah, age 8, to the MSU-Notre Dame game a few weeks back. I chronicled how amazing of an experience it was to spend that time with him and experience part of Spartan history together. Read about it here.
When I realized that I wasn’t going to be able to use my tickets this Saturday for MSU’s homecoming game against Illinois, I decided I wanted to make that same opportunity available to another family. So here’s the deal: I’m going to be giving my 2 tickets to the game this weekend to a father/son, mother/daughter, mother/son, father/daughter, uncle/niece, aunt/nephew, etc. to spend some quality family time at an MSU game that they otherwise would not have been able to afford to attend.
I’d like for others to share this experience – that’s why I want these tickets to go to a “deserving” child and an adult in his/her life. My son’s school, Holt Lutheran (K-12), is going to throw in $25 cash [EDIT: Principal Burk makes this $50 cash with his comment below] to cover 2 bus passes from the commuter lot to the stadium and a couple sodas and/or hot dogs [EDIT: and some souvenirs] during the game as well. [EDIT: Reno's has agreed to provide a dinner for 2 during the Mark Dantonio Radio Show and a free MSU t-shirt as well.]
The tickets aren’t fabulous: upper deck, 35-yard line, on the press box side of the field. But of course, that’s not the point. The point is for two die-hard Spartan fans to spend 5 hours together, cheering on their team, in what could be a very special season for this team.
Right now, you are probably thinking of someone you can nominate. Nominations are due by Thursday at noon and will be accepted via email: davidharns@isportsweb.com
You may not nominate yourself. Please include your name, address, phone number and email as well as that same information for those whom you are nominating. I would like to see these tickets go to someone who hasn’t been able to attend a game yet due to financial reasons. Please do not present false information in your nomination. I will find out if you do.
My wife and I will make the decision, our decision will be final, and the winners will be notified by Thursday evening. I hope to run a follow up story for those who are interested in seeing/hearing about it.
If you are new to isportsweb, take a look around. Here are some of my favorite articles:
Spartans win program-defining game over the Badgers
Making memories: An epic ending as the Spartans beat the Irish
A Program in Good Hands: Michigan State’s Kirk Cousins
Michigan State’s Greg Jones and Aaron Bates – An Unlikely Pairing
Spring Forward: Michigan State Football’s Spring Game Moves the Program Past “the Fight”
Who’s Mistake Was Worse? MSU’s or UM’s?
