The Michigan State Mascot is known as Sparty. Sparty is a beloved figure at Michigan State University and is a symbol of school spirit and pride. He is often seen at sporting events, pep rallies, and other campus activities, rallying the crowd and representing the university. Sparty is a Spartan warrior, inspired by the ancient Greek city-state of Sparta. He is depicted wearing a traditional Greek helmet, a cape, and carrying a shield and spear. His costume is green and white, representing the school colors of Michigan State University.
His costume is green and white, representing the school colors of Michigan State University. Sparty's overall appearance is strong and fierce, which reflects the competitive spirit of the university's athletic teams. The origins of Sparty can be traced back to the mid-20th century.
Iván's File Cabinet
Nothing can stop the man’s perennial belief in miracles. Not even the most advanced sciences that seek answers to the unknown. People are always going to believe in something. Or in someone.
Be it God, Mohammed, Sai Baba or the newly beatified John Paul II. And also in the healers. The cure that medical science can not always give makes sufferers of AIDS or malignant tumors, not content with waiting to die in bed, go to seek remedies from anywhere.
They run in pursuit of a miracle. In Cuba there are several amazing healers. But the best and most famous is called Lino Tomasén. Near La Guardia paladar, at 410 Concord Street between Gervasio and Escobar, Centro Habana, Dr. Tomasén has his office.
There, in the marginal black neighborhood of San Leopoldo, in a room with about 40 seats, Lino greets his patients. It is a blend of science, spectacle and mysticism.
Daily, over a hundred people are treated by Tomasén. The consultation is cheap: 20 pesos (less than a dollar). From the early hours of the morning, people come from all over the country, lining up to be one of the first.
The seriously ill, with advanced cancer, AIDS or a brain tumor, take precedence. In the waiting room, the people are not holding back praise for the man who heals with his fingers.
Ana, a woman with three children who suffer from chronic asthma, would erect an obelisk to him if she could. “Thanks to Lino my children are no longer asthmatic. After four visits, the asthma disappeared as if by magic. Now I come to thank him and give him a box of Cohiba cigars”, she says, sitting on the narrow path in front of the Tomasén’s clinic
What is said about Lino is lined with fable. Carlos, a white-haired and robust man, shows a photo of a wrinkled guy with death reflected on his face. “That was me six months ago, when doctors diagnosed my case with no solution. I had advanced cancer in my bones. With his treatments, Lino cured me. At the last scan I did, the doctor was speechless and asked: Carlos, what drugs have you taken?. I told him of my sessions with Lino. He took note and wrote down the address. And said that from now on, patients that science could not save, are going to be referred to Tomasén Lino”.
So it goes. When you await the start of the consultation, listen to the endless stories of patients who were on the verge of death or could not walk and now are healthy.
At about 8 o’clock in the morning Tomasén Lino arrives. He has the ways of a prophet. And not the occult. In therapy sessions he constantly repeats: “I am the best, the foremost in the world. I can cure anything, even AIDS. I’m the height of healing”, Lino repeated like a refrain.
Tomasén is black, tall, overweight, full of necklaces and with a cigar that never leaves his mouth. He was born on December 4, 1961, the day of Santa Barbara, who in the Afro-Cuban religion is Changó, one of the most powerful orishas. He is a doctor by profession. According to some physicians, has been banned for his non-traditional methods of healing.
In quick sessions that do not exceed 5 minutes, Tomasén attends to each one of his patients. By sight, without a medical history to hand, he tells them their condition. Right now, with incredible force, he is lifting a man of 120 kilos and with the tips of his fingers he touches various areas of his body.
He recommends that he returns. “Your case is complicated, but I will cure it”, and prescribes him green medicine. Of the hundred or more people in the room, almost everyone waiting their turn is sick. But there also is the curious, the doubters, and even foreigners with health problems who, passing through Havana, and through the Internet have seen the miraculous cures of Lino, decide to go to his clinic.
Osvaldo, an old friend of the physician-healer, tells that Tomasén came to the world marked by a lucky star. “Several spiritualists predicted to his mother that she was going to have a child prodigy. The portents were confirmed. Since childhood, Lino has had a knack for predicting things. He played sports and was never physically exhausted, he was a marvel. Then in college, only by passing his hand over his friends he cured them of certain ailments. Tomasén is an inexplicable example, for now, of the extraordinary abilities that some human beings have”, said Osvaldo, a graduate in biology and with doctorates in various scientific fields.
Meanwhile, Lino continues on his way. Serving in turn his patients, to whom he often applies a technique known as chiropractics, based on massages to different parts of the body combined with acupressure, reflexology and an Asian method known as Chi Kung.
Of course, Lino Tomasén has many detractors. Many see him as a weirdo. Something that borders on an entelechy. But there are no few Cubans who when science has labelled them to die, race to find solutions in the clinic of 410 Concordia Street.
Video: From the documentary ‘Aborto de la Naturaleza’, by Felipe Vergara Vargas
Tanslated by: Araby
Be it God, Mohammed, Sai Baba or the newly beatified John Paul II. And also in the healers. The cure that medical science can not always give makes sufferers of AIDS or malignant tumors, not content with waiting to die in bed, go to seek remedies from anywhere.
The idea for a mascot representing the university's sports teams came about in 1950, and after various discussions and considerations, the Spartan warrior was chosen as the official mascot. Since then, Sparty has become an integral part of the university's identity and tradition. In addition to appearing at sporting events, Sparty also participates in various community events, parades, and fundraisers. He interacts with fans, takes photographs, and embodies the spirit of Michigan State University wherever he goes. Sparty is also involved in charity work and community service, further emphasizing the university's commitment to making a positive impact on society. Being the mascot of a Big Ten university, Sparty has developed a reputation for being one of the most recognizable mascots in college sports. He has received numerous awards and accolades, including being named the "Best Mascot in the Big Ten" multiple times. Sparty has also been inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame, cementing his status as a beloved and iconic figure. Overall, Sparty is a symbol of pride, tradition, and unity at Michigan State University. Whether you're a student, alumnus, or fan, seeing Sparty in action is always a source of excitement and school spirit. He embodies the values and ideals of the university and serves as a rallying point for all Spartans..
Reviews for "From Sketches to Mascot: The Design Process for Michigan State's Sparty"
- John - 2 stars - The Michigan state mascot is just plain ridiculous. I mean, come on, it's a giant, creepy-looking squirrel. It doesn't represent the spirit and pride of Michigan State at all. They could have chosen something more fierce or majestic, like a lion or a Spartan warrior. I cringe every time I see that squirrel on the sidelines during football games.
- Sarah - 1 star - I can't believe that the Michigan state mascot is a squirrel. It's embarrassing. It's like they couldn't come up with anything better and just settled for this random rodent. It's not intimidating or cool, which is what a mascot should be. I would rather see a strong and fierce symbol representing the university than this silly squirrel.
- Mike - 2 stars - As an alumnus of Michigan State, I'm disappointed with the choice of the squirrel as our mascot. It's just not representative of the spirit and tradition of our school. I think they should have gone with something that reflects our agricultural roots or our athletic prowess. The squirrel is just underwhelming and lacks the impact that a mascot should have. I hope they reconsider and choose something more fitting in the future.
- Emily - 1 star - Seriously? A squirrel? That is the best they could come up with? It's so boring and uninspiring. There are so many other options that would have been way cooler and more representative of Michigan State. I can't take it seriously when our mascot is a fluffy-tailed rodent. It's just a real letdown and I hope they reevaluate their choice.