Michigan State University will celebrate 125 years of intercollegiate athletics this spring with the dedication of an official state marker at College Field, the site at the heart of intercollegiate competition at what was then the State Agricultural College. The Michigan Historical Commission approved a Michigan Historical Marker for the site at its Dec. 3 meeting.

In telling the origins of College Field, the green and gold, wolverine-topped marker provides a "postage stamp" history of MSU sports: the development of intercollegiate athletics, the move of the football program to Macklin Field (present-day Spartan Stadium), the team's name change from Aggies to Spartans, and the careers of key personnel, including Lyman Frimodig. Frimodig received 10 letters in three sports and holds the record for most letters to this day. He worked for the MSU athletic department for more than 40 years, serving as one-time assistant athletic director. John Kobs, who spent nearly 40 years as the Spartans' baseball coach, is also mentioned.

College Field underwent many changes over the years with multiple replacements of bleachers and dugouts, changes in lighting, the reorientation of ball fields and, more recently, the construction of new baseball and soccer venues.

"Two things that haven't changed at College Field are the beauty of the setting and the undeniable role it has played in mid-Michigan university life," said Department of History, Arts and Libraries director Dr. William M. Anderson, also a noted Detroit Tigers baseball historian. "Nestled among trees along the Red Cedar River, College Field continues to be a place where student athletes test their mettle in competition and where their fellow students cheer them on. That's the true essence of collegiate sport, and for that to occur in the same spot for more than a century is really special."

In addition to the College Field marker, the commission approved the fourth of five markers planned for the historic African American resort Idlewild, in Baldwin, Lake County. The marker discusses the history of the Idlewild Lot Owners Association, which was instrumental in developing the amenities at the resort, which was popular from the 1910s into the 1960s.

Sponsors pay for Michigan Historical Markers through donation to the state of Michigan. Since the Michigan Historical Marker program began in 1955, more than 1,500 historical markers have been erected. Traveling Through Time: A Guide to Michigan's Historical Markers contains the text and location of state markers and is available anywhere books are sold or by calling (517) 373-1663. To learn more about the marker program and registered historic sites, visit www.michigan.gov/shpo.

The Michigan Historical Marker Program is administered by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), which assists in the identification, rehabilitation and interpretation of Michigan's historic resources. The SHPO is a division of the Michigan Historical Center, part of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL). Dedicated to enriching quality of life and strengthening the economy by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan's heritage and fostering cultural creativity, HAL also includes the Library of Michigan, the Mackinac Island State Park Commission and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/hal.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL).