Michigan State’s football and basketball programs will be represented in the university’s next hall of fame class.

Former linebacker Dan Bass and former guard Mike Robinson were announced as members of the Michigan State Athletics Hall of Fame’s Class of 2019, it was announced Tuesday. The five-member class also features Karen Dennis (track and field), Mike Donnelly (hockey) and Tom Milkovich (wrestling). The group will be formally inducted on Oct. 24 and recognized when Michigan State football hosts Penn State on Oct. 26 at Spartan Stadium.

“This is an outstanding class that includes national and school record holders, trailblazers and national champions,” Michigan State athletic director Bill Beekman said in a press release. “When I look at the credentials of each honoree, I'm a bit surprised that they weren't already in the Hall of Fame, which speaks to the overall strength of this class.”

Bass, from Bath, was a four-year starter for the Spartans (1976-79) who became the first player in program history to lead the team in tackles all four seasons and was a second team All-American as a senior. He still owns program records for career tackles (541) and fumble recoveries (12) and tackles in a game (32). Bass went on to play 12 seasons in the CFL and was inducted into the CFL Hall of Fame in 2000.

“It's an honor, I never really thought about it, but it's an honor to be there,” Bass said in a press release of being named to Michigan State’s hall of fame. “I didn't think I would have the opportunity to be there, but there's a lot of great football players and a lot of great athletes there, and I'm just very honored to be included with them and very happy to be a part of it.”

Robinson, from Detroit, was a member of the Spartans from 1971-74 and joined the program two years before freshmen were allowed to play. He led the Big Ten in scoring twice and his career average of 24.2 points per game still ranks first in program history – three points better that second-place Shawn Respert.

“My first reaction was shock, I was just shocked,” Robinson said in a press release about being named to the hall of fame. “I had to sit a while and absorb the thought. It means quite a bit to me. One of the things I thought about was Coach (Gus) Ganakas and the faith he had in me as far as my playing basketball.”

Dennis, from Detroit, ran track and field for the Spartans from 1974-77 and served as the program’s head coach from 1981-92. She was the first Michigan State women’s track and field member to win a national championship as she took home an AIAW title in the 220-yard dash in 1975. Dennis returned as an assistant coach in 1977 for five seasons before serving as the head coach for 11 years and is now the Director of Track and Field and Cross Country at Ohio State.

“I've had so many of my former students (Molly Brennan, 1993; Judi Brown, 1995; Anne Pewe, 2016) go in the hall, and I was so excited for them and my first thought was I'm glad I'm going. Yey! That was my first thought,” Dennis said in a press release. “It's just a testament to the strength of the quality of the athletes that we've conditioned or we've recruited to Michigan State, as well as the ability for them to develop at Michigan State and to go on to some amazing, if not professional careers; just some amazing careers, period. We've had some students that are now professors, that are teachers, that are politicians, that are entrepreneurs, patent-holders, just some amazing women.”

Donnelly, from Livonia, was a standout forward for the Spartans from 1982-86. He was named an All-American and Hobey Baker Award finalist while helping Michigan State to a national championship in 1986 and the 59 goals he scored that season still stand as an NCAA record. Donnelly went on to play 11 seasons in the NHL.

“I think it means more too when you're older; you appreciate it a lot more,” Donnelly said in a press release of being selected to the hall of game. “When I was in school, I never thought about something like this – I just wanted to win. Now that you're older, I think it means so much.”

Milkovich, from Maple Heights, Ohio, was a four-time Big Ten Tournament champion and won a national championship as a junior in 1972 at 142 pounds while finishing the season at 23-0. He was a three-time All-American for the Spartans.

“To be inducted into the Michigan State Hall of Fame with all of the great athletes and coaches is quite an honor. I was thrilled,” Milkovich said in a press release. “I thought and hoped that at some point I might get in since I still hold a few records and because of the career I had. It took a lot of hard work and lot of people behind the scenes.”