Sparty gets a makeover

EAST LANSING –Sparty is getting a new look, and he'll be introducing it to the world on Friday.

The Michigan State University mascot isn't losing his jutting chin or formidable eyebrows, but he is getting a new suit of armor.

The university changed the official Spartan green four years ago, adopting a darker shade. (That's Pantone Matching System Color 567 for the design minded.)

Sparty's armor is catching up and getting epaulets that incorporate the Spartan helmet logo, to boot, all thanks to a $15,000 fund-raising drive by the Association of Future Alumni, which is home to the university's mascot program.

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He'll debut his new duds in his run onto the field prior to kickoff when MSU plays Jacksonville State at Spartan Stadium on Friday night.