Rows of vibrant flags dance along the gates of the DeMartin Stadium. Green, red, blue, white and yellow hues proudly representing Hispanic/Latine countries, wave hundreds of Spartans toward a highly anticipated match. Hispanic Heritage month, from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, celebrates Hispanic and Latine history and culture. It recognizes the contributions and deep rooted history through advocacy, traditional foods, art, music and more.

At Michigan State University (MSU), the Hispanic/Latinx community makes up 5.9% of campus population. To honor these students, staff and faculty, MSU’s Office of Cultural and Academic Transitions (OCAT), College Assistance Migrant Program Scholars Initiative (CAMP) and Athletics teamed up to celebrate through two campus soccer games.  

As the second year of this celebration, MSU Athletics aimed to deepen the impact and authenticity of this year’s Hispanic/Latinx affinity month. With support from OCAT Coordinator Juan Flores, CAMP Senior Associate Director Elias Lopez, MSU Athletics Inclusive Excellence Coordinator CeCe Sumpter and other campus partners, the events embraced cultural pride and community engagement. 

Dancing With Tradition
Kicking off the festivities was the MSU Women’s Soccer game against Nebraska on Sept. 19 where they scored 4-1 with 1,813 fans in attendance. At halftime the Lansing-based traditional Mexican Folklorico Dance nonprofit Fantasia Ballet Folklorico performed. 

The production showcased the Jarabe Tapatio/Mexican Hat Dance styles in the three songs: “Machetes”, “La Raspa” and “La Negra”. Dancers were dressed in traditional blouses, skirts, and charros in the color of the Mexican flag. Green represented independence, white stood for the Roman Catholic religion, and red symbolized the union representing the three guarantees of Plan de Iguala. At the heart of the performance was a sense  of unity, independence and pride.

The second game took place on Oct. 1, when the MSU Men’s Soccer team faced Northwestern and scored 1-0 with 1,014 fans in attendance. The event featured yard games such as cornhole and a Sparty photo booth. During halftime Elias Lopez was honored for his dedication to helping migrant and seasonal farmworker students succeed academically, financially and socially at MSU.

Before each game, attendees explored a tabling event to learn and engage with Hispanic/Latinx resources in the Lansing area. Community partners, including but not limited to; MSU Federal Credit Union, Capital Area Latina Youth and MSU Chicano/Latino Studies Program shared prizes and connected with 2,827 attendees, some as young as six years old.

 “It was the win that all of us needed, knowing we did the work that made it all worth it at the end of the day,” says Sumpter.

Building Bridges Year Round
MSU values its cultural diversity and is committed to celebrating heritages while strengthening community bonds. Sumpter emphasized bridging the gap between MSU Athletics and Latine and Hispanic communities beyond Hispanic Heritage month. They continue to strengthen internal DEI leadership and actively look for ways to be better.

To honor this commitment staff members attend the Spartan DEI leadership lab each month from August-April, learning new ways to foster authentic inclusion. They’ll continue to build upon this as they look toward their upcoming Mega Challah Bake with their Jewish partners in December and Black History Month in February. 

“We have so much work to do, we must be comfortable in those uncomfortable discussions to understand history and build connections with where we are,” says Sumpter. “We never want a population to feel they’re not being represented.”

Stronger Together 
The success of this event could not have been possible without the help of MSU’s community partners; The Civic Empowerment Coalition, Michigan State University’s Chicano/Latino Studies Program, Capital Area Latina Youth (CALY), Eagle Sports of Lansing, Fantasia Ballet Folklorico, Greater Lansing Open Soccer, International Engagement Volunteers, Líderes en al Aprendizaje y Desarrollo, the Phi Chapter of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc., MSU Federal Credit Union, and Michigan State University Office of Financial Aid.  

Sumpter would also like to acknowledge the MSU Athletics Marketing and Fan Engagement team, MSU Athletics Deputy Athletic Director/Championship Resources & Culture Ashton Henderson, Assistant Coach Gabe Romo, MSU Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Jabbar Bennet and Project Manager for the Inclusive Impact Initiative Meaghan Kozar. As well as, Executive Senior Associate Ad/Marketing, Brand, Revenue Generation LaRhonda Burley and Assistant AD/Marketing and Fan Engagement Meagan Hogan for their support and guidance.

“One of my favorite parts was hearing the community partners' excitement and seeing the potential of this work and wanting to see it grow,” says Sumpter. “It was a huge win for the community and us.” 

Through these partnerships MSU Athletics, OCAT and CAMP continue to strengthen relationships to celebrate and uplift diverse voices and heritages. 

To learn more about Athletics visit msuspartans.com or follow @msu_athletics on Instagram and Facebook. Check out upcoming OCAT events at ocat.msu.edu/events-calendar-3. And get involved with CAMP by visiting mss.msu.edu/camp.