Justin A. Hinkley

Lansing State Journal

EAST LANSING - Zeke the Wonder Dog, a beloved entertainer at Michigan State University athletic events, died suddenly late Friday, his owner confirmed on Saturday.

Zeke, a 12-year-old yellow lab, passed away quickly from a tumor at about 11:30 p.m., owner Jim Foley said Saturday. He was at the MSU women's basketball game Friday but was too ill to perform.

For the past nine years, he had been the leader of a troupe of dogs that performed at MSU halftime shows, performing Frisbee tricks.

"What he did for children and adults and everybody is amazing," Jim Foley said. "He was a true Spartan ambassador."

"He'll be dearly missed and he loved all Spartans," his wife, Terri Foley said.

Several people expressed grief and offered condolences on social media on Saturday.

He was actually Zeke III, following the original Zeke that debuted in the late 1970s, Zeke II who came in 2001, and another dog called Keze, Jim Foley said.

Terri Foley said Ranger, a member of Zeke's troupe who performed Friday night, will become Zeke IV.