Fun and Recreation
WHERE TO GO, WHAT TO DO
The MSU Union is the heart of MSU’s campus. It has an abundance of helpful resources, including: personal and group study spaces, computer labs with printers, the Neighborhood Student Success Center, Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS), bookable and free meeting rooms for student organizations, a MSU Federal Credit Union location, many tutoring options, and more. In addition, the MSU Union is home to many retail and dining options, such as Strange Matter Coffee, Sparty’s Mini Market, and the Spartan Spirit Shop. The home of the University Activities Board (UAB), the MSU Union is bustling with events, activities, live music and other ways to connect and unwind with fellow Spartans. MOSAIC Multicultural Unity Center, and MSU Union Art Gallery are also available for everyone to enjoy. The MSU Union provides a central home for campus to gather, enhances the student experience and cultivates an enduring connection to Michigan State University. It’s where Spartans belong. Follow the MSU Union on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook (@MSUUnion) and visit msuunion.com for more information.
The Abrams Planetarium offers students the opportunity to view a number of exciting programs about our sky and universe. For current shows, pricing, and more information call (517) 355-4676 or visit our website at abramsplanetarium.org.
Want to play some golf? Forest Akers Golf Course is waiting for you. Special rates on greens fees are available for students. Visit golf.msu.edu or call (517) 355- 1635 for more information. Enjoy our all-weather heated/covered practice facility and hit golf balls year round.
These are just some of the options available to you for entertainment at MSU.
SPARTAN MARCHING BAND
One of MSU’s great traditions! The Spartan Marching Band rehearses in the fall and is viewable by the public. Stop by the turf field at Munn Field any day between 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to see a rehearsal. Join the band on home football Saturday’s 90 minutes before kick-off for a pregame concert on Adams Field. The Spartan Marching Band “March To The Stadium” is one of the greatest fall spectacles in all of collegiate pageantry. Make the Spartan Marching Band part of your fall tradition. For more information about Spartan Marching Band or our Spartan Brass Athletic Band (performs at volleyball, hockey, and basketball games), please visit spartanmarchingband.com or contact (517) 355-7654. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @msumarchiganband or “like” our page at facebook.com/msumarchingband.
UNIVERSITY ACTIVITIES BOARD
The University Activities Board (UAB) is a student-run department and offers a variety of programs encouraging involvement. Hosting around 200 campus events annually, UAB strives to provide unique, high-quality experiences that contribute to student growth. UAB’s core values are inclusion, collaboration, flexibility, accessibility, student voice, and development.
UAB events are FREE and open to all MSU students with a valid MSU ID. Events include music, comedy, craft nights, open mic nights, homecoming week events, and special events such as escape rooms, ice skating, dodgeball tournaments, arts and crafts shows, and much more!
Get involved at MSU with UAB! Membership is FREE and open to all MSU undergraduate students all year long. Members gain valuable leadership skills that apply to all areas of study and have a positive impact on any career path.
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @UABatMSU or “like” our page at facebook.com/UABatMSU. You can also visit uabevents.com for more information.
HOMECOMING 2023: WELCOME HOME SPARTANS
Michigan State University will celebrate Homecoming 2023 with a variety of activities for students, staff, alumni and community members Sept. 18- 23, 2023. This year’s Homecoming theme is “Welcome Home, Spartans.”
The annual Homecoming parade hosted by the MSU Alumni Office will take place Friday, Sept. 22, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in downtown East Lansing and will feature the Spartan Marching Band, Michigan high school marching bands, MSU student and community groups, university officials, Sparty and much more. Student groups are welcome to participate in the parade, but registration is required. To submit a parade entry visit homecoming.msu.edu beginning Aug. 1. Registration closes Sept. 4.
You can also show your Spartan spirit during Homecoming week by swapping out a residence hall light, front porch light or any other light with a green bulb that will “Glow Green”.
For a detailed list of Homecoming week activities, visit homecoming.msu.edu.
BRESLIN STUDENT EVENTS CENTER
The Breslin Student Events Center showcases a wide variety of entertainment, athletic, and academic events for MSU students and the greater Mid-Michigan Community. The proud home of MSU’s Men’s and Women’s Spartan Basketball teams, the Breslin Student Events Center has also hosted concerts/performers including Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, Kanye West, Bernie Sanders, Cirque du Soleil, Kevin Hart, Carrie Underwood, Trans- Siberian Orchestra, as well as signature sporting events such as the MHSAA’s Boy’s & Girl’s State Basketball Championships. The Breslin Student Events Center offers numerous year-round student employment opportunities in production and guest relations. Visit our website at breslincenter.com for hiring information and a schedule of upcoming events. For general information, contact our administrative office at (517) 432-1989.
RECREATIONAL SPORTS AND FITNESS SERVICES
Recreational Sports and Fitness Services (Rec Sports) is here to provide you with the opportunity to continue your sport of choice or try a new one. We know how important it is to take that study break and exercise. Research shows that students who participate in our programs earn a higher GPA and finish more classes.
Your recreation fee covers the fitness centers, open recreation and the pools. Just activate your membership at: recsports.msu.edu/fitness/memberships.html.
Come try out one of our fitness centers at IM West and IM East for weight training and cardio workouts. Your recreation fee also covers our fun group fitness classes. Try an intramural sport league you can join with your friends, indoor pools for swimming, an indoor track for running, and a lot of open recreation hours to fit your busy schedule.
There are three facilities on the main campus, IM East on Shaw Lane near Hagadorn Road, IM West next to Spartan Stadium, and IM Circle on the north side of the river from IM West. We also have a Sailing Center on Lake Lansing with lessons and kayak, canoe and stand-up paddleboard rentals. Demonstration Hall is a fully accessible arena which accommodates wheelchair play and intramural soccer. Check out Spartan Greens your new turf complex out on Service Road the fields are open daily for soccer, rugby and football.
Be part of a team by signing up to play intramurals. It’s easy, just go to imleagues.com and register under Michigan State University. We offer basketball, soccer, football, volleyball and a whole lot more! Check the website for the entire list! Programs for persons with disabilities can be found on the website under Adaptive Recreation at recsports.msu.edu.
Try a Club Sport. There are over 26 sports like water polo, rugby, lacrosse, pompon, ultimate frisbee, crew, and sailing.
Need a job? With all these games, we need referees and umpires! With all these pools we need lifeguards and swim instructors! Come work at one of our many facilities it’s the best job on campus!
PERFORMING AND FINE ARTS
Wharton Center for Performing Arts is home to the best of Broadway and performing arts.
Engage our community through dynamic programming, education and outreach
The 2023-2024 season celebrates a selection of some of the best Broadway and performing arts on tour, including Academy Award-winner Aaron Sorkin’s adaptation of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning masterwork TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD; Broadway’s Tony Award® winning musical comedy phenomenon HAIRSPRAY; the return of a Wharton Center favorite, MAMMA MIA!; the Broadway hit FUNNY GIRL which brings one of the greatest musical scores of all time, including classic songs “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” “I’m the Greatest Star,” and “People,”; the Broadway musical SIX where the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a Euphoric Celebration of 21st century girl power; and the Broadway hit MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL making its way to Wharton Center for two weeks celebrating a world of splendor and romance, of eye-popping excess, of glitz, grandeur, and glory!
Add to that some of the world’s best dance companies, jazz artists, classical musicians, lecturers and world music artists. You’ll also find there will be new dramatic theatre works and contemporary artists and concerts. In addition to presenting touring Broadway and performing arts acts from around the world, Wharton Center is home to performances by MSU Department of Theatre, MSU College of Music and Lansing Symphony Orchestra.
MSU students receive substantial discounts to many Wharton Center performances, including most Broadway shows and performing arts attractions. Students are encouraged to visit Wharton Center’s Student Ticket page on our website—whartoncenter.com/student-tickets—to create an account and register their APID. Doing this will ensure discount pricing when available, as well as notice of added performances and opportunities.
Wharton Center houses two theatres: the intimate (600-seat) Pasant Theatre and the beautiful Cobb Great Hall with 2251 seats. Both theatres are accessible, and Wharton Center offers a wide range of accessibility services, such as sign language interpretation, audio description, open captioning, assistive listening devices, and sensory-friendly performances. Please visit whartoncenter.com/plan-your-visit/accessibility for more detailed information.
You can be involved! Many job opportunities, volunteer positions and internships are available to MSU students. Email wharton@msu.edu for more information.