A typically tough rivalry in the state will be called off Saturday when the University of Michigan men’s basketball team hosts the Michigan State Spartans five days after a shooting at MSU killed three students and seriously injured five more. .
To show solidarity with the Spartans, the Michigan Athletics announced Thursday that several recognitions will take place during the 8 pm game at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor.
The show of support will begin with the basketball team, as UM said the men will wear warm-up gear specially designed for the game.
The design has not been made public, but the women’s team wore white jerseys with a green heart encircling the Spartan mascot during a game on Thursday.
SHOOTING AT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY LEAVES 3 DEAD, 5 INJURED; SUSPECT KILLED BY SELF-INFLICTED SHOOTING WOUNDS
Michigan Wolverines players wear jerseys to show their support for the state of Michigan during a women’s college basketball game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Indiana Hoosiers on February 16, 2023 at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington, IN. (Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Many fans will also have a chance to show off their support, as 2,000 specially designed T-shirts will be available to ticket holders and Mazie Rage, UM’s section of student cheerleaders. A 12-foot by 8-foot «Spartan Strong» flag will also be on display in the Maize Rage section.
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Before the game begins, there will be a 30-second moment of silence as the arena is lit green and white with programmable LED wristbands that will be distributed to all fans.
UM also said its pep band has learned the MSU alma mater and will perform it on Saturday.
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY SHOOTING VICTIMS: WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE THREE STUDENTS WHO WERE MURDERED
In another show of solidarity, UM athletics announced Wednesday that some sports will display Spartan decals on their helmets, Fox 2 Detroit reported.
A Michigan State Spartans decal is seen affixed to a University of Michigan baseball helmet following a deadly shooting on the East Lansing campus on Monday, February 13, 2022. (Michigan Athletics/Twitter)
The athletic department did not specify which sports would be involved, but seasonal helmet sports include lacrosse, hockey, baseball and softball.
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Saturday marks MSU’s first game since the tragic shooting on the East Lansing campus on Monday that left students Arielle Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser dead.
Mourners attend a memorial vigil for Alexandria Verner, Brian Fraser and Arielle Anderson at The Rock on the grounds of Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan on Wednesday, February 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
The suspect, 43-year-old Anthony McRae, was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound hours later. McRae had no ties to the university or the students. He was identified as a Lansing resident in public records.
Although a motive has not been officially determined, investigators said a note found with him suggested he may have felt slighted by companies or individuals.