East Lansing in Ingham County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
College Field
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 19, 2017
1. College Field Marker - Side 1
Inscription.
College Field. .
Side 1. In 1900 about 625 students attended the State Agricultural College, known commonly as M.A.C. The school was the precursor to Michigan State University. Making a new commitment to serious intercollegiate athletic competition, the college purchased land here, along the Red Cedar River, for an athletic field. Intramural sports had been part of M.A.C. life since its founding in 1855; however, contests with other institutions did not begin until 1884. On April 18, 1902, the M.A.C. Aggies baseball team met the University of Michigan Wolverines in the first game held at this site. The new venue had baseball and football fields, circular and straight tracks, and, later, lights and a grandstand. In 1923 football moved south to a new stadium, but baseball remained at College Field.
Side 2. College Field opened in 1902 as the primary sports venue for "the Aggies" of the State Agricultural College. Some sports relocated, but baseball remained here and was later joined by softball and soccer. In 1925 the school became the Michigan State College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, prompting a change in the team name from Aggies to Spartans. Two men stand out in the history of College Field and Aggie/Spartan sports. Lyman Frimodig (1891-1972) played baseball and football here, earning a record-setting ten letters in three sports. He spent over forty years with the athletic department, serving for a time as assistant director. John Kobs (1898-1968) coached Spartan baseball for nearly forty years and captured the Big Ten title in 1954. In 1969 the baseball field was named in his honor.
Side 1
In 1900 about 625 students attended the State Agricultural College, known commonly as M.A.C. The school was the precursor to Michigan State University. Making a new commitment to serious intercollegiate athletic competition, the college purchased land here, along the Red Cedar River, for an athletic field. Intramural sports had been part of M.A.C. life since its founding in 1855; however, contests with other institutions did not begin until 1884. On April 18, 1902, the M.A.C. Aggies baseball team met the University of Michigan Wolverines in the first game held at this site. The new venue had baseball and football fields, circular and straight tracks, and, later, lights and a grandstand. In 1923 football moved south to a new stadium, but baseball remained at College Field.
Side 2
College Field opened in 1902 as the primary sports venue for "the Aggies" of the State Agricultural College. Some sports relocated, but baseball remained here and was later joined by softball and soccer. In 1925 the school became the Michigan State College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, prompting a change in the team name from Aggies to Spartans. Two men stand out in the history of College Field and Aggie/Spartan sports. Lyman Frimodig (1891-1972) played baseball and football here,
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earning a record-setting ten letters in three sports. He spent over forty years with the athletic department, serving for a time as assistant director. John Kobs (1898-1968) coached Spartan baseball for nearly forty years and captured the Big Ten title in 1954. In 1969 the baseball field was named in his honor.
Erected 2009 by Michigan Historical Commission - Michigan Historical Center. (Marker Number L2205.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 18, 1902.
Location. 42° 43.924′ N, 84° 29.392′ W. Marker is in East Lansing, Michigan, in Ingham County. Marker can be reached from Kalamazoo Street west of Chestnut Steet, on the right when traveling west. Marker is on the campus of Michigan State University between Jenison Fieldhouse and College Field. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 261 Kalamazoo Street, East Lansing MI 48824, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 13, 2017. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 276 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on August 13, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
