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Posted on Fri, Apr 23, 2010 : 4:04 p.m.

Michigan State decides on one shade of green

By AnnArbor.com Staff

DETROIT (AP) — Michigan State is going green.

Athletic director Mark Hollis told The Associated Press that all 25 teams on campus will have the same rich, deep shade of green from here on out.

"You could look at all of our uniforms this year and see about seven different shades of green," Hollis said in a telephone interview before the new look was unveiled Friday. "We looked at the wool fabric on our varsity jacket and the marching band uniform to pattern the green we're using going forward."

MICHIGAN-STATE.jpg

Michigan State football players, from left, Kirk Cousins, Greg Jones and Eric Gordon pose in new football uniforms. Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis says he's excited all 25 teams on campus will have a unified look. Hollis told said that all Spartans will sport a richer, deeper shade of green instead of various shades of the color. (Photo: Associated Press)

Michigan State is sticking with its Spartan head logo in part because of a backlash from those who didn't like a proposed change as part of a branding campaign.

"Did I made the decision solely because people complained? No," Hollis said. "But I said, 'Let's not stick our head in the sand.'

"I listened to coaches, fans, people on campus, the board, the president and I looked at our history with the goal of bringing Michigan State together to project a unified image."

Hollis said it was important to respect tradition while trying to make a bold statement during a process that analyzed colors, logos and fonts as part of Michigan State's identity.

He said Nike will provide state-of-the-art products for each of the school's teams instead of using various suppliers as they have previously.

"There's no Nike-forced conspiracy on these changes," Hollis said. "It was about ending the different shades of green, different fonts and different messages we were sending while respecting the past and launching into a new Michigan State."

Comments

mgobluegold

Sat, Apr 24, 2010 : 10 p.m.

'Looking back at (the green msu) for some time now'.... really,.... that must have come from a 2 year old, because from 1996-2007 Michigan was 10-2 against the little brother, and 67-29 overall. To say that Michigan owns msu is an understatement. 'Penitentiary Green' 'Or UM envy Green' should work.

TXteacher

Sat, Apr 24, 2010 : 4:14 p.m.

UM should be experts on the MSU "Green" color. They've been looking at the back of it for some time now! Go Green, Go White!

Terry Star21

Sat, Apr 24, 2010 : 9:57 a.m.

@ Christian... I did attend the University of Michigan... I'll reserve my comments on the colors... but let us be realistic here, an article about michigan state colors, pictures of 3 - msu football players - in a column labeled ' UM Football '.... really? What did you expect? Michigan Football colors - Maize & Blue.....michigan state - don't know what to do.

Christian

Fri, Apr 23, 2010 : 9:26 p.m.

Good thing none of the four people who commented before me actually attended the University of Michigan. If so, good job on perpetuating the stereotypes.

mgobluegold

Fri, Apr 23, 2010 : 9:05 p.m.

Who is Kyle Cutsans? And what trophy or NFL are we talking abou?

BowlForBlue

Fri, Apr 23, 2010 : 8:45 p.m.

Good idea... 7 shades... I didn't like the Puke Green, Garbage Green, Mucus Green, Scum Green, Cesspool Green, Maggot Green or the Little Brother Green. I think sticking to one, the Penitentiary Green seems to be the most logical choice.... Good job.

oldmanblue

Fri, Apr 23, 2010 : 8:40 p.m.

Greg Jones looks small in that picture. Maybe it because he is standing next to the next Heisman trophy winner and future NFL number one pick, Kyle Cutsans.