Photo Gallery

 E  The PRESS CONFERENCE and the MEDIA MOMENTUM

Speculation was rampant when the Michigan Men invited THE DETROIT NEWS, the DETROIT FREE PRESS, and THE ANN ARBOR NEWS to visit Sparty in his current hideout.

By then the helmet was painted Maize & Blue with the famous “Wings” created by legendary coach Fielding H. Yost. 

Ted had picked up Sparty’s ear from the Sig Ep vestibule and a Michigan pre-med student had reattached it.  

All three newspapers published large articles complete with beautiful photos displaying the Maize & Blue helmet and Michigan’s trademarked “Block M” on the sides. 

Newspapers began referring to the converted Mascot as “Wolveriney.”

THE DETROIT NEWS reported: 

“U-M Raiders Nab Spartan Head Man”

“It was a daring pre-dawn raid. The fearless band of  headhunters swept  into the enemy’s territory infiltrating the  fortress and swooped away with the prize.”

“His gaudy green and white colors have been covered over  with Maize &  Blue AND Sparty now carries a big “M” on  the side of his helmet.”

The DETROIT FREE PRESS reported:

“Sparty is a Turncoat”

“If the Michigan-Michigan State game is as exciting as last  week’s Great Theft, y’all stay home because it’s strictly no  contest.”

“THE ABDUCTORS say they have no malicious intentions  for their hostage. He’ll be returned sometime Saturday  afternoon at Michigan Stadium, either before, during or after  the Game.”

“Sparty, showing extremely little loyalty, has apparently  changed his colors selling out to his temporary handlers.

Sparty says he is fine and enjoying his new friends. 

“We’ve been talking to him and he says he’s picking  Michigan by 17-14,” said Ted”. 

“Sparty might be going under a false impression, though.  The  Spartans  may not be the soft touch that the Sig Eps  were.”

THE ANN ARBOR NEWS ran an article written by Dave Bishop, an MSU alumnus. Dave reported:

“MSU’s Sparty Safe, Sound, Redecorated  

Abductors Promise He’ll Be Returned” Dave wrote:

“It is enough to make Bubba Smith cry.

There he was, once the symbol of Spartan pride,

 now clad in a maize and blue helmet.”

Fidgeting with his Michigan State Class Ring, Dave  asked, 

 “Why, Why?  Why did you do this?

But what about the bell? Did you guys take the bell too?”

Of course these Michigan Men had borrowed the MSU Touchdown Bell. The Touchdown Bell had been spotted in front of an MSU fraternity house the night of the HEIST. Charley spontaneously and quickly attached its trailer to his car.

As he drove down Grand River Avenue he discovered that the Clapper was not secure. 

The STATE NEWS published a drawing of the Touchdown Bell sitting alongside a road with a line of cars honking.

“Flat tire saves bell” The men of Delta Upsilon estimate  that their bell was heisted at 4 a.m. and towed down the  expressway until a flat tire on the bell’s platform forced the  thieves to abandon their prank. An unidentified person  called the fraternity house Monday to report the lost bell.

Actually, it was Bob who had called the Delta Upsilon house. 

The Michigan Men responded,

“NO COMMENT ON THE BELL!”

Dave replied, 

“Don’t worry fellas.

Even though I went to Michigan State, 

I won’t blow the whistle on you.

Oh, . . that’s alright the Michigan Men responded,

We are moving him tonight”.