Zeke Edition, April 14, 2026

Michigan State’s Independent Voice

TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2026

ZEKE THE WONDER DOG: CHAPTER V

MEET CINDY LOU: MSU’S FIRST FEMALE ZEKE

By Sopia Jundy, Mya Moorhous sjundy@statenews.com mmoorhous@statenews.com

Michigan State University’s beloved Wonder Dog tradition is entering a new era with the debut of Zeke the Wonder Dog V, the first female dog to take on the role.

Zeke V, whose given name is Cindy Lou, will make her first universitywide public appearance Michigan State’s Football Spring Showcase on April 18, 2026 at Spartan Stadium. Fans are encouraged to attend the free showcase to watch Zeke’s

performance and a meet-and-greet with photo opportunities around the stadium concourse.

Born May 24, 2019, Cindy Lou is a Labrador retriever raised and trained by Jim and Terri Foley. She has spent years preparing for her debut, training alongside her uncle, Zeke IV a.k.a. “Buckshot.”

“They played nicely together, so it was nice to be able to train them together,” Terri Foley said. During Cindy Lou’s training, the Foleys said she acted as Buckshot’s understudy.

She’s no amateur: She’s acquired plenty of field experience in the years

State News is sponsoring Stoop Fest

leading up to her Spartan Stadium debut. Cindy Lou participated in a glow-in-the-dark halftime show for the New York Jets, and she’s performed at basketball and minor league baseball games.

“She’s like a controlled explosion,” Terri Foley said. “She’s so sweet and mild mannered until you get that frisbee out and she just goes.”

The appearance will offer a chance for the Spartan community to welcome the newest Wonder Dog and celebrate the program, while showcasing her frisbee-catching precision.

By Addison Ogburn aogburn@statenews.com

As Stoopfest 2026 returns to Lansing for its ninth year, The State News is excited to be one of the festival’s official sponsors.

Since its founding in 2016, Stoopfest has operated as a nonprofit, all-day festival centered on DIY music, comedy and the arts all across Lansing’s Eastside neighborhood. Events and performances take place across a range of home venues, unfolding in fans’ living rooms, backyards, garages and even a few dedicated bars and parks all within walking distance of one another.

DIY music can be described as a

“Cindy Lou never misses a frisbee — she thrives on the field,” Jim Foley said. Incoming MSU freshmen got a sneak peek at Zeke V at Admitted Student Day last weekend at the Breslin Center, and Terri Foley noticed how her making history as the first female Wonder Dog resonated with people. “We want to look at it as the continuation of Zeke, whether male, female, you know,” she said. “It’s a legacy that we want to see continue.”

Off the field, she is known for her friendly personality and simple tastes, with a particular love for

diverse and widely inclusive creative space that embraces a wide range of artistic expression. It operates outside the traditional structures of the music and entertainment industry, often prioritizing accessibility, collaboration and independent production. DIY music has historically had a heavy punk-rock influence, but nearly any form of music can be considered “DIY” if it is rooted in inclusivity and community among its fanbase.

This year, the festival will be held on May 8-9 and will showcase over 90 bands spanning across a variety of genres such as rock, hiphop, indie and folk. Headlining this year’s festival are performances by Christian Holden of the The Hotelier,

apples and carrots.

The Wonder Dog program began in 1977 when then-MSU student Gary Eisenberg and his yellow Labrador, Zeke, first performed at MSU events. Since then, the Wonder Dog legacy has grown, engaging with fans through frisbee-catching performances, high-energy halftime shows and strong connections to the Spartan community.

“Zeke is a goodwill ambassador for Michigan State,” said Terri Foley. “Zeke has always been committed to the students. She’s here for the students.”

Pinkshift, Friends in Real Life, JER, Destroyer and Mal Blum. Pigeon Pit, Nana Grizol, Local News Legend and Sunday Cruise are among some other top-billed acts playing at the festival. With a lineup that blends wellknown touring acts and local favorites, the festival continues to highlight the strength of Lansing’s DIY community. It reflects the spirit of Eastside Lansing, where music and art come together in shared spaces and bring people directly into the experience.

Visit stoopfest.org for the full lineup, schedule and performance venues across the weekend. Two-day general admission tickets start at $55.20 and are available to purchase on the site.

THE MAKING OF ZEKE THE WONDER DOG TIMELINE:

1977 - 1984: ZEKE I

Nearly 50 years ago, a Labrador retriever named Zeke trotted onto the turf grass of Spartan Stadium for the first time. His goal: Catch frisbees.

Little did Zeke or his owner know, but their routine would go on to become one of Michigan State University’s premier forms of entertainment. Performances turned into tradition, and decades later, the tradition holds strong.

In honor of Zeke the Wonder Dog V’s debut, we flipped through the State News archives and compiled a timeline of Zeke’s history at MSU. Look back at the past Zekes who brought joy and excitement to Spartan football games.

2002 - 2007: ZEKE II

ZEKE IN THE MAKING

When then-student Gary Eisenberg started throwing frisbees to his yellow Labrador during his night shift at a gas station on Harrison Road, he never thought he was training a legend.

The original Zeke the Wonder Dog first performed in September 1977 after being named the winner of a national frisbee competition.

“The students would chant, ‘Zeke! Zeke! Zeke!’” Eisenberg, a 1978 alum, said. “He really was a phenomenon.”

Over the next seven years, the student section grew to love Zeke, and he even became the first non-human to be awarded a varsity letter in MSU history.

And, according to a 1978 edition of the State News, Zeke was questioned on the capitol lawn after receiving a resolution of appreciation by the state legislature.

But after Zeke began to slow down in 1982 and Eisenberg’s second dog, Keze, was hit by a car and died, the halftime frisbee performances were put to rest in 1984. That is, until former athletic director Mark Hollis decided to search for a new Zeke.

Jim and Terri Foley had been

performing with their dog Dexter at basketball games and other sporting events in Holland, Michigan, when they were asked to perform at an MSU football game.

The first game to which Jim and Terri brought their dog, a Labrador mix named Dexter — later known to the MSU community as Zeke the Wonder Dog II — in 2002 was nothing less than surreal.

“They did a video of the original Zeke and gave a little history about who Zeke was so that people who didn’t necessarily know the Zeke tradition could join in and become part of that tradition,” Terri Foley said. “I’ll never forget how much the crowd was cheering, and I walked along the side — the tears were just running down my face.”

Dexter retired due to poor eyesight in 2007 and his job was taken over by the “rambunctious” Boo Coo, the Foleys’ yellow Labrador who came to be known as Zeke III. At his first game, he caught an impressive 10-of-14 passes, including a 20-yard long bomb.

For 11 years, Zeke III entertained at Spartan Stadium, even going national with an appearance on “America’s

2007 - 2016: ZEKE III 2016 - 2026: ZEKE IV

Funniest Home Videos,” but he died unexpectedly in December 2016. Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations Scott Westerman wrote in an email to the Foleys, “Zeke is truly an immortal soul. He manifests in the bodies of the amazing spirits you have nurtured over the years and miraculously reappears to amaze and delight generations of Spartan fans who appreciate all that he stands for. Our hearts are with you in this

time of loss, but we take comfort in knowing that Zeke will live again. I can’t think of a better legacy.”

The Foleys introduced Buckshot a.k.a. Zeke IV at a basketball game in the days following his predecessor’s death. For nearly 10 years, he entertained Spartan fans with his frisbeecatching and trick-turning, and he even stopped by the State News office to admire some of our photos… of himself.

Zeke IV’s death in March of this year came as a shock to the Spartan community, but MSU wasn’t Zeke-less for long. This Saturday, April 18, at the Football Spring Showcase, the Foleys’

Labrador retriever Cindy Lou will make history when she (yes, she) takes the field as Zeke V for the

“Cindy Lou never misses a frisbee — she thrives on the field,” Jim

ADVERT: “THE BEST OF EAST LANSING”

By Jacob Smith jsmith@statenews.com

Calling all Spartans!

Got a go-to coffee spot before your 8 a.m.?

A late-night food run you live by? Your go-to spot to take your visitors? Now’s your chance to highlight your favorites in East Lansing!

The State News is introducing our “Best Of East Lansing” campaign, featuring an opportunity for students and residents to vote for their favorite businesses among all categories in East Lansing. The voice is yours!

WHAT IS BEST OF EAST LANSING?

Best Of East Lansing is part competition, part campus-wide celebration of the businesses that make East Lansing feel like home. From restaurants and bars to boutiques, gyms and on-campus services, we’re showcasing the places students actually love.

Residents have the opportunity to cast their vote across the categories listed on the voting form. The businesses with the most tallies will come away victorious, so every vote counts!

Throughout April, The State News will also be selling selective ad space at a special rate during these editions to provide extra

promotion for some of the biggest contenders within the competition!

As a student, that means you’ll be seeing more of your favorite spots highlighted around campus, and maybe discovering a few new ones, too.

HOW DO YOU VOTE?

Voting is super quick and easy. You can either head to the link in The State News Instagram bio (@statenews), or scan this QR code below to access the ballot. You will be directly transferred to the voting form which consists of our three categories:

• Eats and Drinks

• Shops and Services/Entertainment

• On-campus

Each category is broken down even further to provide easy navigation and specific businesses included in Best Of! In order to cast a vote, all you need to enter is your email (and birthday if you’re voting in 21+ categories), and you’re set.

Voting is open now through April 30 at 11:59 p.m. ET, with many businesses already receiving numerous votes! Don’t wait, they need your support!

WHY IT MATTERS

Our Best Of East Lansing campaign is designed to support the local businesses that supply students, residents and faculty year-round. Every purchase from your favorite places means something to you to keep you coming back. Let’s return that favor by showing recognition to the local spots that got us through our years here at MSU.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Winners will be revealed in our July 2026 mail-home edition, one of our most informational editions of the calendar year which is mailed to the permanent residence of all MSU students and their families. It’s a huge moment for local businesses and their recognition, and your votes decide who takes the crown.

It’s time to rally your peers to get those final votes in. Head over to the voting form to make sure your favorite East Lansing spot takes the crown.