The recent verbal commitments of Patrick Rigan and Eric Gordon to continue their football careers at Michigan State haven't gone unnoticed in their hometown of Traverse City.

"I was at a stoplight the other day and some guys stopped to congratulate me," said Gordon, who will be a senior linebacker at Traverse City West this fall. "The people in the community have been taking the time to stop and talk to me about going to (Michigan) State."

Traverse City, located in Northern Michigan about 180 miles from East Lansing, is better known as The Cherry Capital of the World. But the region has also been home to a few state championship-winning football teams over the years.

"Traverse City is a football community," said Jerry Angers, the defensive coordinator at TC West. "One of the reasons my wife and I moved here (Angers was coaching at Waterford Kettering at the time) eight years ago was because of the football."

The old Traverse City High School won Class A state football championships in 1978, '85 and '88 and finished as the runner-up in '75.

Traverse City St. Francis has won three state titles – 1992, '99 and 2003 – but had never produced a Big Ten recruit until Rigan.

"It's a pretty big step for little Traverse City," said Rigan. "I think that Eric and I committing to Michigan State is a good example of the work ethic in our community."

Added Josh Sellers, the head coach at TC St. Francis and a lifelong resident of Traverse City: "It's huge. Hopefully it will bring a few more college scouts up to the area. But I definitely think we'll be seeing a lot more block S's flying around."

Some people in the community have already changed their color preference from the maize and blue of Michigan to the green and white of MSU, according to Gordon.

"My coaches used to be Michigan fans," he said, "but now their Michigan State fans."

And Rigan's father, Doug, a graduate of UM, had this to say to SpartanMag.com shortly after his son's commitment: "I guess I'm going to lean toward the Spartans now."

The past two years Gordon was a "lead-by-example" player. That's because during his sophomore and junior seasons Gordon's teammates at linebacker were all one grade ahead of him.

"Eric just played within the (defensive) scheme and let those guys do the talking," Angers said.

Instead of being a vocal leader Gordon did his talking with his helmet and shoulder pads, leading the team in tackles last season from his inside 'backer position. He also rushed for more than 400 yards, averaging 10.4 yards per carry.

But with three of those linebackers having moved on to continue their football careers at D-II schools – Ben VanZale and Tony Gourlay at Wayne State and Daryl Martin at Grand Valley State – Gordon is now the unquestioned leader of a defense that will start three junior linebackers and a sophomore cornerback this fall.

"Being a senior I can feel my leadership role changing this summer," said Gordon. "I'm being more vocal, more of a leader."

His first step has been talking with Angers about his younger teammates.

"Eric and I were driving around the other day and he was asking me what he could do to help them," said Angers.

Rigan is also working on taking his leadership skills to the next level in preparation for the fall.

In 2003 Rigan was a two-way starter as a sophomore for a St. Francis team that went 14-0 and won the Division 7 state championship. Thoughts of a repeat last season ended with a loss in the pre-districts.

This year, Sellers said St. Francis has the talent to once again compete for a title.

"We're excited as a staff because we've got a great group of seniors," he said. "And Patrick has been busting his tail to get ready for the season. He has made tremendous strides and I really think he's beginning to understand what it takes to dominate; not just on the field, but mentally. He's maturing as a football player and as a person.

"What he needs to continue to work on is developing as a leader. He's not a vocal guy, but he's got to realize that he can't wait for other guys to lead."

Rigan admitted to being a lead-by-example kind of guy.

"I'm not a rah-rah kind of guy," he said. "But now that I know the ropes I think I can teach the younger guys what they need to do. I'm just glad I was able to get my recruitment squared away before the season so I can play my game."

Varsity football practice begins across the state of Michigan on Aug. 8.

FACT: In the 108 years that Michigan State has been playing football only five players from Traverse City have lettered for the Spartans: