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Should we still root for the Michigan State Spartans?
In light of the recent sexual assault scandal surrounding Michigan State University, there is one question that college sports fans, namely Michigan State fans, have to be able to answer, and they need to be able to answer it sooner rather than later.
This question isn't as serious as many of the other questions surrounding the scandal, such as how and why the scandal happened and how Michigan State was able to enable it and cover it up for as long as they did -- nearly two decades.
Nevertheless, this question still means a lot to a lot of people, and the fact that it isn't as serious as some of the legal questions involved in this case should actually be refreshing at this point now that Nassar has been sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison as a result of the scandal.
Here's the question.
Should we still root for the Michigan State Spartans?
This is really complex question when you think about it. Should we still root for the athletic teams of a university that completely ignored sexual assault allegations against former doctor Larry Nassar for nearly two decades?
But at the same time, should we really root against athletes who had absolutely nothing to do with the Larry Nassar sexual assault scandal and are doing what they need to and want to do at the school -- play sports?
One of the Nassar scandal's survivors, 15-year-old Emma Ann Miller, touched on this in her impact statement that she gave in court in front of Nassar and Judge Rosemarie Aquilina.
Here is what she had to say.
"MSU, it's time for me to determine the circumstance. And that circumstance is going to be pointed right at you. Yea, right at you, MSU. I don't have to be ashamed or anti-MSU. I can be a Spartan if I choose...I can root for Miles Bridges if I want and still hold you, MSU, accountable. And I will."
You can watch Miller's full impact statement below.
At the end of the day, this decision is going to have to be made by each and every individual who is a fan of college sports, particularly Michigan State fans.
Why?
Because there will and already have been situations that have arisen involving the school's teams having success, including the football team's 42-17 win over the Washington State Cougars in this past season's Holiday Bowl.
Picture this: if the Michigan State Spartans go to the Final Four and win this season's men's college basketball championship, will you be happy for the players, or will you be disgusted that the school is experiencing a great amount of success?
Both reactions are certainly okay and natural. But which reaction will have a bigger influence on you?
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