Nine years ago, Northwestern University came to town for MSU's homecoming game. Police hope when the Wildcats return for this year's game, so too, will people with information that will crack a cold case.

"It's the 9th anniversary this year and it's the Northwestern game this coming weekend," Lt. Bill Mitchell said. "Brandon was killed the weekend of the Northwestern game."

Back in 2000, 24-year-old Livonia resident Brandon D'Annunzio was in East Lansing celebrating a friend's bachelor party when police say he was assaulted by a group of people outside of what was then BW3.

"Brandon got hit and punched a fell down and hit his head," Lt. Mitchell said. "He had a severe head injury that ultimately led to his death ten days later."

Despite a reward, numerous witnesses and years of investigation, there's still no arrest.

"When tips and leads stop, the case gets cold," Lt. Mitchell said.

A lot has changed here on M.A.C Avenue in the nine years since Brandon passed away, but some say the culture in East Lansing hasn't.

"Most of the bars have changed over the years, but the kids are still kids," Joe Biersbach said.

Thirty year East Lansing resident, Biersbach, said he's seen students get out of hand on more than one occasion.

"It's a great place to live, I want to make that clear, but it's also a college town with a lot of drinking," he said.

In fact, Lt. Mitchell said the ELPD investigates some kind of assault or altercation on a weekly basis, but this one was different, this one took a life, which why he said police aren't giving up.

"All it takes is that one tip, that's all we need," he said. "So that's why we are putting things out to the press and in the hopes that someone comes forward."

So you think this still can be solved? Newsten asked.

"Yes," Lt. Mitchell said. "It's one of those things you hope for. It's the same game, maybe some alumni is back that wants to say something or knows something."

Newsten could not reach Brandon's family Tuesday.