Today's Michigan State University nickname, the "Spartans", first arose in 1925 in the words of a sports editor for the Lansing State Journal. Ironically, at the time, "Michigan Staters" had just been chosen as the school's new nickname. The sports editor took the liberty, in his coverage of the 1925 Michigan State baseball team, of using "Spartans" over "Michigan Staters". The name caught on and ever since, the "Spartans" have stood as mascot and nickname for Michigan State University athletic teams.