Last October, actor Gerard Butler visited Michigan State and attended the basketball team's Midnight Madness event and the football team's game against Illinois. His attendance drew a lot of positive publicity for MSU, and it made sense for him to be in East Lansing given that he was in the movie 300.

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On Friday, Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis revealed the latest "celebrity" to jump on the Spartan bandwagon, but it makes far less sense and has been nowhere near as well received as the Butler visit.

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â†µ Mike "the Situation" Sorrentino of Jersey Shore is going to be a #Spartan fan this season. Catch him at a game in Spartan Stadium. Mark Hollis

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The reaction to this news from Michigan State fans has been almost universally negative. For other fan bases, it is quite the opportunity to make fun of MSU, because what respectable university would want to be associated in any way with The Situation? I'll admit that I watch Jersey Shore, but not because I think highly of somebody who calls himself The Situation.

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After getting quite the backlash from MSU fans, Hollis said that this whole thing isn't a gimmick and that The Situation simply bought a ticket to a game because he wants to watch MSU play. Like LVS over at The Only Colors, I'm very skeptical, because it doesn't seem likely that The Situation randomly decided to attend a Michigan State football game. It's unlikely he makes an appearance anywhere without being paid, and I have my doubts that this MSU thing is any different.

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Regardless of whether this is a gimmick or The Situation simply wants to watch a football game, if I were Hollis I wouldn't be bragging about it. As LVS said, "It's not something I'd be crowing about." The Situation may make for entertaining TV, but he is not someone you want your university to be affiliated with.