EAST LANSING - Fans were lined up around the corners of Spartan Stadium on August 23rd for the annual Meet The Spartans event. The annual free event gets fans of all ages up-close to MSU players that normally would only be seen from their seats at the stadium and on TV. Fans got to meet their favorites and also get acquainted with the faces of incoming freshmen while grabbing an autograph and maybe a handshake or a fist bump. The MSU faithful even got a chance to get face to face with Coach Dantonio for an autograph.

The family-friendly event brought fans from all over the state to get a photo with Sparty, grab a hot dog and soft drink and then head down to field level for the ultimate preseason selfie. The party atmosphere and high spirits of the cheerleaders along with MSU highlights playing on the big screen pumped up the fans before the start of the season.

Players normally shrouded by the relative anonymity of pads and a helmet got to shed the gear and talk to the fans that would be rooting them on feverishly during the season. And the players seemed to enjoy the attention as they autographed memorabilia, laughed, smiled and shook hands or fist-bumped anyone that took the time to stand in line.

As the crowd filtered out of Spartan Stadium at the end of the night, they held onto their mementos of the event and the memories of having been able to meet their favorite football team in-person, right before the start of what they hope to be a successful new season.