EAST LANSING, Mich. – First, Eron Harris’ mom regaled the sellout crowd with the most soulful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner in Breslin Center history.
And as Marveda Saunders sang a cappella late Sunday afternoon, tears streamed from Harris’ eyes. He had mentioned last week that his mother, a former high school coach, had “a beautiful voice” and had performed the anthem in the past before a few of her games. But, he didn’t give it a second thought.
Her unexpected appearance on the floor where Harris had toiled so hard for three years, combined with the knowledge his Michigan State Senior Day game against Wisconsin was about to go on without him because his Spartan career was cut short by a devastating knee injury sustained two games earlier, did a number on his feelings.