Michigan
Tre Holloman ‘stood on business’ to protect Michigan State tradition vs. Michigan
EAST LANSING – With 37 seconds left and a victory wrapped up, it was time to continue a three-decade program tradition.
The final home game of the season meant Michigan State’s seniors would check out and, before heading to the bench amid a standing ovation, bend down to kiss the Spartan logo at midcourt in the Breslin Center.
One problem – Michigan’s L.J. Cason and Phat Phat Brooks were standing directly on the center of the logo between free throws, preventing Frankie Fidler from getting to the exact spot. So as Szymon Zapala was about to take his turn, Tre Holloman took notice and stepped in to correct what he viewed as disrespect.
“I’m like what? So, then I had to move them,” Holloman recalled.
The junior guard approached Cason and Brooks and told them to move before shoving each at the same time. Although a minor dustup resulted in technical fouls on Holloman and Cason, the mission was accomplished. A path was cleared for Zapala and then Jaden Akins to take their final bows right where intended.
“He’s a dog,” forward Jaxon Kohler said of Holloman. “He’s going to go down an MSU legend for that.”
Holloman, a co-captain, stood up for the seniors after scoring a career-high 20 points to help No. 8 Michigan State to Sunday’s 79-62 win on Sunday in East Lansing. Moments later, there was an on-court celebration honoring the outright Big Ten champions, who finished the regular season with seven straight wins.
“We have a freaking tradition here and nobody, nobody is changing our tradition,” coach Tom Izzo told the crowd. He then called for Holloman to come forward on the confetti-strewn floor and deliver a unique, non-senior floor kiss.
“I love that mentality,” Michigan State athletic director Alan Haller said of Holloman. “Protect your home, protect your court, be respectful, but he showed a true Spartan mentality today.”
The court kissing was started by Shawn Respert in 1995 and has been a program staple while also being adopted by other sports on campus. Sunday’s confrontation was a new twist and there were program legends on hand to witness it.
“They don’t call us Spartan Dawgs for no reason,” said former All-American Jason Richardson, whose son Jase is a star freshman for the Spartans. “They’ve got to understand tradition and you don’t stand on that court when the seniors are coming out.”
The altercation was nothing like what occurred between the rivals in football during recent years. Izzo and Michigan coach Dusty May, who had his own opinion of the incident, both quickly came on the floor as players were separated. In the middle of commotion was Zapala.
“It wasn’t me, I was just trying to do my thing,” Zapala said with a smile. “Tre stood on business.”
Izzo recalled members of Michigan’s Fab Five rubbing their butts on the Breslin logo and talked to Jalen Rose about the incident. The late tension on Sunday was just another example of the dislike on both sides.
“That’s what rivalries are all about,” Izzo said. “If everybody’s out there hugging and kissing, it’s probably not a rivalry. They shouldn’t get mad if we were kissing our own S … I don’t get mad when they call me an angry midget, that don’t bother me.”
Izzo called the situation “unfortunate” and didn’t want it to overshadow the program’s first Big Ten title in five years while sending the seniors out on top. However, Holloman’s teammates lauded him for clearing the way, especially Akins, who grew up watching the tradition as a fan.
“That’s just who Tre is as a person,” Akins said. “He’s not going to tolerate that.”
Michigan schools, libraries and nonprofit groups are set to receive more than $280,000 in literacy funding, according to a community announcement issued by Dollar General Literacy Foundation. The money is intended to support reading and education programs across the state.
The grants are part of a nationwide single-day award total of nearly $16 million. The funding supports adult, family and summer literacy programs in the 48 states where Dollar General operates.
In Michigan, the grants are expected to affect more than 9,600 people, according to the announcement.
The grants are for nonprofit organizations, libraries and schools. According to the announcement, eligible groups must be within a 15-mile radius of a Dollar General store or distribution center.
The money may be used for new technology, books, materials or software. The grants can help groups start literacy programs or expand existing ones.
Several Michigan organizations received grants of $10,000, the highest amount. Those recipients included:
- Adrian Rea Literacy Center in Adrian
- Arab Community Center For Economic And Social Services (Access) in Dearborn
- Literacy Center Of West Michigan in Grand Rapids
- Houghton Lake Community Education in Houghton Lake
- Livingston County Literacy Coalition in Howell
- Goodwill Industries Of Southwestern Michigan in Kalamazoo
- Kalamazoo Literacy Council in Kalamazoo
- Capital Area Literacy Coalition / The Reading People in Lansing
- The Global Institute Of Lansing
- Van Buren Intermediate School District in Lawrence
- Reading Patch Literacy Foundation Inc. in Niles
- Grace Centers Of Hope in Pontiac
- Oakland Literacy Council in Pontiac
- Literacy And Beyond Inc. in Port Huron
- Gigi’S Playhouse — Detroit LLC in Southfield
- Southgate Community Schools in Southgate
Other larger grants included $9,999 for Wayne State University in Detroit, $9,500 for Iosco Regional Educational Service Agency in Tawas City and $8,500 for Plymouth-Canton Community Literacy Council in Plymouth.
The recipient list also included many grants of $3,000. Those went to:
- Allendale Public Schools
- Boys And Girls Club Of Alpena
- Cedar Springs Public Library
- Clinton Community Schools
- Coloma Public Library
- Mason County Eastern Elementary in Custer
- North Dickinson County School in Felch
- Wilson School Parent Advisory Committee in Herron
- Hillman Community Schools
- Ida Public Schools
- Lawton Public Library
- Luther Area Public Library
- Saginaw African Cultural Festival Inc.
- Sebewaing Township Library
- Tekonsha Community Schools
- Columbia Township Library in Unionville
- Wakefield Public Library
- Whitmore Lake Public Schools
Other awards listed were $2,000 for Taymouth Township Library in Burt; $2,100 for Clinton-Macomb Public Library in Clinton Township; and $2,500 for Friends Of Cadillac Wexfod Public Library in Cadillac, Teamer Dreams Foundation in Eastpointe, Michigan Adult, Community & Alternative Education Association in Lansing and Palomino Hope Equine Experience in Tawas City.
The list also showed a $1,000 grant for Townline Elementary in Grand Rapids and a $4,500 grant for D House Of Angels in Pontiac.
Also receiving grants were Houghton Lake Community Education and Reading Patch Literacy Foundation in Niles.
A full list of grant recipients is available at dgliteracy.org.
“Since the foundation’s inception in 1993, our focus has remained on making meaningful investments in students, teachers and the organizations that support literacy and learning at every stage of life,” Denine Torr, executive director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, said in the announcement. “These funds will help educators enhance their instruction and create opportunities that help empower students to reach their full potential.”
This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at https://cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/.
FLINT, Mich. (AP) — A man in Michigan who got married and then ran over his best friend that same day, killing him, after an alcohol-fueled argument was sentenced Monday to least 30 years in prison.
“The only thing I can do for the rest of my life is express my apology and remorse. … I will forever be sorry,” James Shirah said in Genesee County court.
Shirah, 24, was driving when his vehicle struck Terry Taylor Jr. in Flint, about an hour’s drive northwest of Detroit, on Aug. 30, 2024. He and Savanah Collier were married earlier that day and the celebration had moved to a house.
Shirah’s attorney had argued that the crash was not intentional. Prosecutors, however, said Shirah had left the scene and had time to reflect before returning and striking Taylor, MLive.com reported.
“Mr. Shirah, I believe that you are not a criminal. You are, however, a killer,” Judge Khary Hanible said.
In April, Shirah pleaded no contest to second-degree murder and other offenses. He will be eligible for parole after 30 years.
“I hope that they throw the book at you,” Taylor’s cousin, Eren Taylor, said before Shirah received his sentence.
Shirah’s wife will be sentenced later in May for being an accessory.
BENTON HARBOR — Vinyl collectors and music fans are invited to dig through thousands of records and music collectibles at the Southwest Michigan Record Show.
The event is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 16 at Grand Upton Hall inside Lake Michigan College’s Mendel Center in Benton Harbor, according to a press release.
Now in its fourth season, the show features 25 vendors from five states, offering 70 tables filled with vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, record supplies and music memorabilia.
Free admission begins at 10 a.m.
General admission is free starting at 10 a.m., while early entry is available at 8:30 a.m. for $5. Door prize drawings are planned for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., including $25 shopping certificates and record supplies from BCW Supplies. The first 75 attendees will receive free tote bags.
A food truck will be on site, and cash is preferred for purchases. Some vendors may accept cards, PayPal, Venmo and other payment methods, but there is no ATM on site.
Vendors from across the Midwest and beyond
The show is expected to feature a wide selection of music genres, including classic rock, pop, ’80s, metal, punk, jazz, blues, R&B, country and soundtracks.
“This show is still being discovered, and that’s part of what makes it exciting,” event organizer Jeremy D. Bonfiglio said in the release. “We’ve built a strong group of experienced vendors, so whether you’re just getting into vinyl or digging for something rare, there’s a real opportunity here to find something unexpected.”
Free parking is available near the entrance of Mendel Center, 2755 Napier Ave.
Future dates planned
The Southwest Michigan Record Show is also scheduled to return Sept. 19.
For more information, visit southwestmichiganrecordshow.com or follow the event on Facebook.
This story was created by reporter Cheryl Morey, with the assistance of artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing.
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