Number of Spartan Legends Up for the State of Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2025

Several big names who played or coached at Michigan State have found their way onto the ballot this year. 

After seeing all-time MSU basketball scorer Shawn Respert get named to the Hall of Fame in 2024, this year's batch of nominees is huge. 

The biggest of the bunch has to be College Football Hall of Famer and Michigan State football's all-time wins leader Mark Dantonio. 

Yep, Coach D is up for yet another Hall of Fame. In 2024-25, he was named to the College Football Hall of Fame and also the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame. 

Now Dantonio has a chance to make it a trifecta with the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame. 

He isn't the only Spartan Football legend, as former Spartan kicker Morten Andersen is also on the ballot. Andersen is one of the best kickers in Michigan State history. The three-time All-Big Ten honoree and 1981 College Football All-American made plenty of noise both collegiately and then in his 25-year NFL career. 

The NFL Hall of Famer certainly deserves a spot in the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame. 

Spartan Basketball has some great names up for the Hall of Fame as well. A pair of great ball players who ironically both donned some special numbers in MSU history. 

Michigan State's first superstar 'Jumpin" Johnny Green, was a very successful collegiate and pro basketball player. Green helped the Spartans reach their first Final Four in 1957. His rebounding ability was simply unforgettable as he led the Big Ten with an average of 17.8 rebounds per game during the 1957-58 season. 

His career average of 16.6 rebounds per game still ranks second all-time in Big Ten history and fifth in NCAA history. Green's No. 24 hangs inside the Breslin Center. It's only right that he finally receives a shot at getting into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame. 

 Jason Richardson is fresh off watching his son Jase excel for Tom Izzo and Michigan State. Much like he did in his time in East Lansing. Jason was a prolific dunker both collegiately and during his 14 seasons in the NBA. 

The Richardson name is synonymous with both Michigan State and the State of Michigan. 

Also included on the ballot is former Michigan State women's track and field star Judi Brown Clarke. The former NCAA Champion, 12x Big Ten Champion, and three-time All-American has the perfect resume to possibly get a nod for the Hall of Fame. Add in her Olympic Silver medal in the 400-meter hurdles at the 1984 games in Los Angeles. 

Michigan State has a great group of nominees for the 2025 Michigan Sports Hall of Fame. Best of luck to them all. Voting ends May 23rd.