High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The Michigan State Spartans are the athletic team that represent Michigan State University. The school`s athletic program includes 25 varsity sports teams. Their mascot is a Spartan warrior named Sparty, and the school colors are green and white. The university participates in the NCAA`s Division I-A and in the Big Ten Conference in all Varsity sports except ice hockey, which competes in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. Michigan State offers 12 varsity sports for men and 13 for women.