I Love Graff Okemos: MSU Football

Thursday, September 7, 2017

MSU Tailgating Activities and Tips

OKEMOS, Mich., – Kick off the football season in style this year! The Michigan State Spartans are ready to take on the Big Ten and whatever else college football has in store for them with an energetic and fired up roster this season. If you plan on heading out to a game at Spartan Stadium this year, use these MSU tailgating activities and tips to make your trip to East Lansing unforgettable. Enjoy a safe and fun tailgate this football season by participating in old MSU traditions and enjoying the best East Lansing has to offer. Sparty on!

Bring the Fun to the Tailgate

One of the best ways to enjoy tailgating is by bringing the fun with you! Grab a few friends or family members and bring along cornhole or lawn golf to enjoy some games of your own before kickoff. If you want to try something a little different, give these lawn games a shot for a unique tailgating experience!

Checklist of Tailgate Supplies

When you head out to tailgate, you'll want to cook food and bring some entertainment along while you wait for the game to start. Make sure to pack all of these supplies:

Trash bags
Grill
Grilling supplies (tongs, charcoal, spatula, lighter, matches, etc.)
Plates, plastic silverware, paper towels, napkins, etc.
Cutting board
Canopy tent (MSU tailgate rules note that it can't be any larger than 10ftx10ft)
Lawn chairs
Main and side dishes
Cooler
First aid kit (just in case!)
Rain ponchos
Jumper cables
Football

Grab a Bite to Eat

If you don't feel like cooking or want to explore Downtown Lansing, we've got the perfect list of places to try! For a quick bite to eat, head out to any of these restaurants before the game:

Menna's Joint: grilled wraps and sandwiches with uniquely crafted recipes
Backyard Bar-B-Q: barbecue joint with a wide array of sides
Stateside Deli: deli sandwiches, cheesesteaks, and the "Famous #32"
Waterfront Grill: organic dishes, locally sourced ingredients, and more
Westlund's Apple Market: local grocery store featuring a wide range of to-go foods

Pre-Game Warmup on Adams Field

Every year, fans bring their blankets and set up their tailgates near Adams field to get the perfect view for the pre-game warmups! About 2 hours before the game, the band members arrive and warm up on different parts of the field. Once the Sousaphone section arrives, the whole band breaks out into a show for all of the fans gathered around! The band quickly breaks into "The Series", an MSU game day tradition, before heading down Red Cedar Road to the stadium.

Enjoy a Safe and Fun Tailgate

Most importantly, make sure you have a fun and safe tailgate experience! Read up on MSU's tailgate safety rules to ensure that you don't break any rules while you enjoy your day. If you have any questions or are curious about a specific rule, contact MSU's game day department for more information. Following the rules and cooperating with the police will allow you to enjoy all the pre-game festivities before the game!

One of the best ways to have fun from beginning to end at an MSU game is by enjoying a great tailgate before the team hits the field. Have a fun and safe experience before you make your way to Spartan Stadium by taking part in these MSU tailgating activities and tips. Fun fact: not only is it college football season, it's also SUV season! Browse our new vehicle inventory to find exclusive discounts and offers, and use some of our rebates and incentives to enjoy price reductions on new and used vehicles in our lot!

Located conveniently just outside of Lansing, Hank Graff Chevrolet Okemos is here to help you with your car buying and servicing needs. Our goal is to create a transparent experience and a comfortable environment for all of our valuable customers. If you have any questions, or would like to schedule an appointment, reach us at (517) 349-8300, or stop by the dealership at 1748 W. Grand River in Okemos, MI 48864

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Thursday, August 24, 2017

MSU Kickoff Traditions

OKEMOS, Mich., – On Saturday, September 2nd, Michigan State University football will finally make its return to Spartan Stadium! Whether you're a diehard fan of the green and white or just a casual Spartan fan, knowing these MSU kickoff traditions will make your time in East Lansing a much more fun experience! With decades of traditions that the football team, band, and fans participate in, discover some of the unique rituals Spartan fans take part in. While others may find these practices strange, some MSU fans believe these traditions make the difference between winning and losing!

Sparty Watch

Before every game, many MSU fans will touch the Sparty statue before the game in order to wish the team good luck. However, the Sparty receives the most attention during the MSU-U of M games. Both teams have decades of heated rivalry and have been known to vandalize their opposition's famous landmarks. In opposition to this, many Spartan fans will camp out by the Sparty the week before the game in order to protect it from potential vandalism. On game day, the MSU marching band forms a perimeter around the Sparty to guard it before and during the game. It's a great tradition that brings old and new fans together across age groups!

Shout"It's a Beautiful Day for Football!"

Whether it's sunny, raining, or snowing, the announcers make sure to let everyone know that it's a beautiful day for football! This long-running tradition has been a staple at Spartan Stadium for decades. It's so well known in the MSU community that the entire crowd joins in unison! If you're a first-timer at Spartan Stadium, watch the video above to view the "weather watch" for yourself!

Participate in the Spartan Walk

Around two hours before the game, the football team will begin their walk to Spartan Stadium from their hotel at the Kellogg Center. This 10-minute walk to the stadium is accompanied by the band, as each member walks single-file through campus. Crowds of fans shout "Go Green! Go White!" as they pass by the Sparty, rubbing the statue's foot and leaving a penny for good luck. This older tradition was recently brought back by Mark Dantonio in 2007, and since then, it's been a Spartan fan staple.

Catch Zeke the Wonder Dog at Halftime

Zeke, the Frisbee-catching Wonder Dog, has provided Spartan Stadium with adorable entertainment since the 1970s! The first Zeke, a labrador retriever, wowed coach Darryl Rogers so much that he was given his very own varsity letter. Currently, Zeke IV, the fourth Wonder Dog of his generation, has entertained Spartan fans at football, basketball, soccer, and many other games. You won't want to miss this game day tradition during halftime!

Watch the Series

"The Series", as it's known, is a popular hype song performed by the MSU band before every game for parade marching. Fans gather around the Kalamazoo Bridge to cheer on the marching band as they make their way to the stadium. The Series received its name for its complicated set of drumbeats and composition, and while some fans may not know the name of the song, they'll definitely recognize it when it comes on!

Take a look at Michigan State's football schedule to make sure you don't miss a single second of the action this year! We at Graff Okemos are diehard Spartan fans, and we definitely follow all of these MSU kickoff traditions from the first game to last! Whether you're an MSU alumni or simply a fan of a great football team, show up to East Lansing in style at a great rate with our new vehicle sales. Customize your vehicle and add a little Spartan touch to it with any of our Chevrolet-approved accessories, and don't forget to Sparty on! Go Green and Go White!