These are the athletic teams that represent Michigan State University and include a total of 25 athletic sports teams. The university participates in the NCAA and Big East competitions in such sports as basketball, football, softball, boxing, wrestling and other sports. The name Michigan State Spartans arose out of the desire of the school to move away from its agricultural school image when it changed its name from Michigan State College of Agriculture and Applied Science.
The school has fairly successful menís and womenís basketball teams. Menís teams have won the national title twice, first in 1979 and the next in 2000. The womenís basketball team is also fairly successful. It was a runner up during the nationals in 2005.
The university also has a successful football team. Established as a university sport in 1896, the schoolís football team competes in the Spartan Stadium in the center of campus.
The university also has menís and womenís hockey teams. It also has an ice hockey team that it participates in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association.