One may say that former Michigan State track and field standout Cheryl Gilliam followed the footsteps of her father, Wardell. He competed in track and field at Eastern Michigan University and later was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame. While she may have inherited his genes, Gilliam has certainly created her own path of success.  MORE>>> 

Rain was pouring in sheets on the sold-out crowd at Spartan Stadium before Michigan State's high-profile football clash with Notre Dame this past September, but throngs of fans and current student-athletes gravitated toward one man on the field - a man who didn't even play football.  MORE>>> 

The name Gideon carries around a certain toughness, almost an overwhelming sense of power. The origin of this name is Hebrew and has biblical significance as Gideon is said to have freed the Israelites from harsh rulings and maintained peace for 40 years. Etymologists have concluded Gideon means `Great Warrior' and/or `Hewer.' To football historians the name Gideon may have the same connotation.  MORE>>> 

Judi Brown (Clarke) has spent her entire life focused on the welfare of others. She has used her stature as one of the country's elite track stars along with an educated background to assist people in need. Whether it was dedicating her senior season at Michigan State to her cancer-stricken team trainer, using her silver-medal-winning Olympic fame to help care for abused children, or providing multicultural-related initiatives to enhance the diversity of MSU's campus, Brown used her experience of overcoming hurdles so others could do the same.  MORE>>> 

Michigan State forward Lauren Aitch grew up wearing the Green and White. Her father played for the Spartans more than 40 years ago. She was raised in Lansing just a few miles from the Breslin Center and the East Lansing campus she has called home for four years.  MORE>>> 

Charles Thornhill faced a tough path to success in the 1960s. Fighting segregation and helping open doors for future African-American athletes, Thornhill found his way from Virginia to Michigan, the place he would call home for nearly 50 years.  MORE>>> 

At 175 pounds, Don Coleman would barely qualify to be a wide receiver at the college level these days. But in his prime, Coleman not only played, but the former Michigan State standout was one of the best two-way linemen in the nation.  MORE>>> 

She came to Michigan State as a shy homebody, a self-proclaimed daddy's girl, and someone who cried every time her family dropped her off for the start of a new school year..  MORE>>>