The forecast predicts a high of 78 and a low of 49.

MSU Turf Management Program provides grass for the World Cup

The world’s biggest sporting event kicks off in 50 days. 16 stadiums. 48 teams. 106 games — all played on grass developed through Michigan State’s Turfgrass Management Program. MSU researchers are collaborating with FIFA and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, to provide the playing surface for the 2026 World Cup, which kicks off June 11 across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. They are providing more than 88 miles of natural sod for the largest edition of the competition yet. The project was funded through a grant from FIFA. Led by John “Trey” Rogers III, a professor in MSU’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and a turfgrass expert, researchers crafted a blend of Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass or Bermudagrass for use in each stadium. The mixture can be grown in sand on plastic, making it easier to replicate at sod farms across North America.

Sparty made nearly $100,000 for MSU last year

For Michigan State University students, Sparty can feel somewhat omnipresent. From his regular appearances at sporting events to his seemingly endless golf cart rides across campus, the beloved Spartan warrior is a quintessential part of the MSU experience. He’s also quite the high earner. Last fiscal year, Sparty brought in just shy of $100,000 for the university across 222 appearances at weddings and other paid events, according to FOIAball. That’s good enough to best all but two other mascots in revenue-generating prowess, Ohio State’s Brutus and Minnesota’s Goldy. The MSU Alumni Office allows groups to request that Sparty appear for 45 minutes at a variety of events, including graduation parties, birthdays, and charity events. The prices of such appearances vary, though the requester must also cover travel. A visit from the 9-foot-7-inch warrior at a Quinceañera runs a base fee of $300, while an appearance at a corporate event will run north of $1,000. It’s weddings that cost the most, at $1,500 per 45-minute appearance, during which Sparty dons a tuxedo. In the last fiscal year, Sparty attended 18 weddings where he netted $27,000. While the cost for a Sparty appearance differs across venues due to a combination of factors, “the compensation for the student who appears as Sparty is set and does not change,” MSU spokesperson Amber McCann said.

MSU Breakers wrap up the semester with one-on-one dance battle

MSU Breakers, a student organization that fosters community through the art of breakdance, hosted its end-of-the-year dance battle on the lawn of the MSU Multicultural Center on April 21 at 6 p.m. This end-of-the-year battle was a one-on-one battle with members of the club. It was also the first to be held outdoors and open to the public, said former MSU Breakers president and environmental studies and sustainability senior Emma Howe. This year’s dance battle was “Five Nights at Freddy’s” themed, a 2014 indie horror game that built a massive fan base. MSU Breakers showcased a sign featuring characters from the game alongside YouTuber Markiplier, who helped popularize it and Game Theory, known for creating in-depth theories during its early rise. The sign read: “FIVE NIGHTS AT THE MCC.” President of MSU Breakers and cultural comparative politics and German sophomore Allen Hoppe said it wasn’t necessarily his idea to make the event FNAF-themed. Still, the club likes to name its battles something funny.