Donor Spotlight
Dean & Miki Look
We are so grateful to the Look Family for their investment in our student-athletes and their passion for MSU golf. They are true Spartans who inspire us as we continue to elevate our programs to the top of collegiate golf.
The Dean and Miki Look Training Grounds were officially dedicated on September 24, 2021, with a celebration event attended by MSU Golf donors, coaches, student-athletes and other key individuals who helped to make the project a success.
“These training grounds were something we had always dreamed of building for our student-athletes,” said Casey Lubahn, MSU head men's golf coach. Generously donated by the family of Spartan great Dean ('63) and Marlene (Miki) Look, the new practice area will allow student-athletes to practice every shot inside 250 yards in state-of-the-art conditions.
“Becoming an elite golfer requires focused, diligent practice of shots that simulate situations you see during a competitive round of golf,” explained Lubahn. “Having the ability to create our own conditions, such as wind direction, lie, and hole location enables us to practice much more efficiently than using a traditional driving range.” MSU head women's golf coach, Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll, believes “The new Look Training Grounds will give our players every opportunity to work on and develop all of their short irons and wedges. It is 22 acres of incredible turf with undulations, different grasses, mow heights and target greens.”
Lubahn also expressed “The training grounds' greatest impact is that it teaches our players how to efficiently score their golf ball. Our student-athletes are developing their course strategy and ball control, two skills that can turn a great player into an elite player.”
Mr. Look, a member of the MSU and Michigan Sports Halls of Fame, was a two-sport standout at Michigan State, playing baseball and football from 1957 - 1959. In 1958 he earned All-Big Ten recognition in baseball and in 1959 was an All-American quarterback in football. He went on to play professionally in Major League Baseball and the American Football League. In addition to his successful career as a businessman, Mr. Look enjoyed a 29-year career in the National Football League as an official, where he officiated three Super Bowls and signaled the touchdown for the famous play known as “The Catch” (Joe Montana to Dwight Clark).
The Look family, including their three daughters and seven grandchildren, are proud to support the tradition of Michigan State Athletics, and to enrich the student-athlete experience for the Michigan State University men's and women's golf teams for generations to come.