Spartan Nation

MSU Football: Harlon Barnett Makes First Program Change Since Tucker Suspension

Michigan State's Harlon Barnett is restoring a Spartan tradition to its full length, after Mel Tucker made a change...

Matthew Lounsberry

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In his introductory press conference as acting head coach, Michigan State's Harlon Barnett said that the majority of the structure and operation of the program will remain the same in the wake of Mel Tucker's suspension.

However, Barnett has already made one change to the Spartans' pre-game activities, after it was changed by Tucker.

As was tradition for several years prior, Michigan State will begin it's traditional "Spartan Walk" to Spartan Stadium from the Kellogg Center Hotel, past the Spartan Statue and on to the stadium. The roughly 15-minute walk was shortened by Tucker, who had the team bus from Kellogg to the statue, and walk the rest of the way.

Barnett is restoring the full length of the pre-game walk.

According to a story from The Athletic's Nicole Auerback, the "Spartan Walk" tradition began sometime during legendary coach Duffy Daugherty's tenure at Michigan State. On one game day, one of the Spartans' team buses broke down, so the team walked to Spartan Stadium instead and a tradition was born.

It's possible that Barnett's decision to restore the walk to full length may have been influenced by former MSU head coach Mark Dantonio, who has returned to the coaching staff as associate head coach in the wake of Tucker's suspension.

Again, according to Auerback's story, when Dantonio was hired in 2006, he said in his introductory news conference that “history is the best indicator of the future.” Auerback noted that "it was important to [Dantonio] to honor Michigan State’s past and embrace its traditions as he built a program for the present and future.

Michigan State's walk to Spartan Stadium ahead of Saturday's game against No. 8 Washington is scheduled to begin at 2:50 p.m. Fans who wish to observe the walk are advised to arrive early. Kickoff between the Spartans and Huskies is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. with NBC's streaming service — Peacock — exclusively carrying the broadcast.

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