Fan-tastic fun for hundreds of young Spartans

Nearly 1,000 boys and girls, ages 8 to 12, flooded MSU sports facilities last spring to get a jump start on the fall football season.

The annual youth football clinic—held prior to the Green and White spring football game—put participants through their paces.

Coach Mark Dantonio paced before the excited kids, who listened intently to his pre-practice pep talk.

The kids, many of whom sported Spartan gear, broke into smaller groups, taking turns at drill stations manned by smiling Spartan  football players. Coaches and players later signed such memorabilia as game programs, footballs and helmets.

Proud adults snapped cellphone photos to keep the memories alive.

Sparrow Health System sponsored the kids activities. McLaren Health Plan sponsored the spring game.