Spartan Statue Vandalized With Blue Paint And Maize 'M' [PHOTO]
By: Evan Jankens
@kingofthekc
I have been told my entire life that Michigan and Michigan State aren't rivals. Michigan's rival is The Ohio State University and only Michigan State thinks their rival is Michigan.
On April 16, 2015, it might just be official that Michigan and Michigan State are rivals.
A photo appeared online Thursday of the Spartan Statue on the Michigan State campus vandalized with a blue paint and a maize M. Jason Cody, a spokesman for MSU confirmed the incident, saying it was quickly cleaned up before daybreak.
Cody said the grounds team will work with authorities to provide any evidence leading to the perpetrators.
Earlier, the university had denied there was any vandalism. But a Twitter pic from an early bird ROTC student told a different story, and MSU later said it had happened, but was already gone.
Army ROTC cadet and MSU junior Jacob Rexroat was on his way to 5 a.m. physical training for Army ROTC when he noticed the statue looked different. Rexroat saw the grounds crew packing up their gear after spiffing up Sparty about an hour later. Rexrote said a fellow cadet, Josh Starkey, took the picture that has been reposted to Twitter several times.
"It's kind of unsettling," said Rexroat describing the feeling of driving down W. Circle Dr. in the wee hours and seeing the condition of the statue.
According to NBC Sports college football talk:
The bronze spartan statue on the campus of Michigan State was painted blue with a yellow "M" on the chest overnight, strongly suggesting a fan or fans of Michigan left their mark on Michigan State's statue.
This, of course, wouldn't be the first time an item at Michigan State or Michigan has been vandalized.
Last season the block "M" on the Diag at the University of Michigan was painted green ahead of the school's football game against Michigan State.
The Spartan statue was vandalized back in April of 2013 as well.
This is really odd timing for college on college vandalism, since football season is still months away and basketball season is over. The only thing I can think of is that Michigan and Michigan State faced each other in a baseball game at Comerica Park on Tuesday in which the Spartans won 4-2.
The photo was first published on a CBS Sports 247 message board.
