Spartan Sports Page

Tag: Bob Apisa

  • Reptapping Michigan State and Hawaii roots

    Jacob Isaia first traveled to Spartan Stadium as a sixth-grader growing up in Hawaii. His grandfather, Michigan State Hall of Famer Bob Apisa, brought him to a 2011 game that left a memorable impression. Kirk Cousins’ Hail Mary touchdown pass to Keith Nichol upset unbeaten and No. 6-ranked Wisconsin, 37-31. Topping off the weekend, Isaia met Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio. “That was my first game there with grandpa,” Isaia said. “I was excited. I met Coach Dantonio, but it was just a brief handshake and hello.”

    Source: Shanan Report

  • Bob Apisa’s journey from American Samoa to Michigan State Hall of Fame

    Bob Apisa was 7 years old when he left his native American Samoa for Hawaii. One of 11 children in the family, he didn’t speak English and had never seen electricity. So, the bright lights at night in Honolulu sparked a profound thought. Apisa turned to his brother George and, in Samoan, said ‘there must be hundreds and hundreds of kerosene lanterns out there.’” “He kind of smirked and he says ‘no, that’s not kerosene lanterns, that’s electricity,’” Apisa recalled. “So, in 1952 Thomas Edison came to my life.”

    Source: MLive.com

  • Why Jacob Isaia committed, how Bob Apisa reacted, where Isaia fits and what’s next for Spartans

    On Saturday night, Jacob Isaia pondered the question that he probably didn’t need to think about for a while. Do I commit to Michigan State, or do I keep on waiting it out and look at other schools? The early signing period won’t arrive until Dec. 20 and the regular period not until Feb. 7. He had schools such as Vanderbilt and Virginia in pursuit. But after what he saw Saturday, game day, on his official visit to East Lansing, the 3-star Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) offensive lineman felt the timing was rig

    Source: Land of 10

  • Michigan State Athletics: Celebrate 2017

    Michigan State inducted five Spartans into its Athletics Hall of Fame on Thursday, Sept. 28 as part of its annual “Celebrate” weekend. The 2017 Hall of Fame class includes: Bob Apisa (football), Joe Baum (soccer), Bob Cassleman (track & field), Kristin Haynie (basketball) and Dr. Clarence Underwood (administration). Athletes earning a varsity Letter for the 2016-17 season were also presented with their Letter Jackets.

  • Michigan State has 3 finalists for Polynesian Football Hall of Fame

    Michigan State has three former players who are finalists on the ballot for the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame. Quarterback Tony Banks is one of 15 pro players on the ballot, while running back Bob Apisa and quarterback/flanker Charlie Wedemeyer are two of the three coach and contributor finalists.

    Source: Detroit Free Press

  • Michigan State Announces 2017 Hall of Fame Class

    Michigan State will induct five Spartans into its Athletics Hall of Fame on Thursday, Sept. 28 as part of its annual “Celebrate” weekend, it was announced on June 22. The 2017 Hall of Fame class includes: Bob Apisa (football), Joe Baum (soccer), Bob Cassleman (track & field), Kristin Haynie (basketball) and Dr. Clarence Underwood (administration).

    Source: Michigan State Official Athletic Site