Spartan Profiles: Dick Best

THE SPARTAN

            After retiring in April from WKAR-TV after a 38-year career, during which he produced documentaries on both the Spartan Marching Band and The Spartan statue, he looked for something he could do to raise funds for the marching band, in which he played clarinet as a freshman in 1962.  Then one day in the fall of 2005 an idea flashed in the mind of Dick Best, ’69. 

            “I was observing some band members standing guard over the statue,” he recalls.  “It dawned on me that now that Sparty was bronze, genuine bronze replicas could be made and could be a fundraiser for the band.”  Best may not have uttered “Eureka,” but he promptly went about his task, spending the next 14 months working with the same foundry that had cast the new statue to produce authentic, bronze 12-inch replicas.  “They even have the same finish to the bronze, its patina, as the big statue,” says Dick. “It’s a true museum quality work of individually hand made bronze art.” 

            A numbered, limited edition of 2000 replicas will be made, priced at  $2,495 each.  Dick says his company, University Replicas, LLC, will donate $250 for every statue sold to the Spartan Marching Band.  “I’m hoping the replica will become the ultimate treasure for the most ardent Spartan fans,” says Dick. 

            A native of Detroit, Dick developed an interest in the SMB when his older sister began dating a band member.  Dick played clarinet for the SMB in 1962, but left to join the Air National Guard in 1963, returning to MSU later.  Although he did not rejoin the band, during his career at WKAR-TV he produced (or co-produced) three programs related to the band—Pre-Game ’83, March To The Roses ’88, and Halftime (2004).  He also co-produced Sparty (2005), WKAR’s documentary about the history of the statue and his move to the football tower foyer and replacement with the new bronze statue. 

            For more information about the replicas, visit www.universityreplicas.com.