MSU Red Cedar Message Board

Over the last few years, there has been growing concern about the lack of ownership being taken by the Izzone students at home basketball games. It has come to my attention from the media, other fans at the games and my own observations that our group is not at the championship level of support that has helped earn it the national reputation that we have enjoyed.

Over the years, our Izzone has accomplished a lot. We have been part of a Big Ten-best and one of the nation’s longest, 53-game home win streak. There has been a National Championship. There have been 6 Final Fours. There have been 6 Big Ten Championships. There has been a LOT of success to cheer for. I have stated over the years that the Izzone has been responsible for 8-10 of those wins as the greatest student group in the country.

It is not about just building a good team for me. It is about building a great program. The Izzone has been the staple for 15 years now. When our team does not perform at a championship level, we try and correct it. Our lack of gameday atmosphere was reinforced on Dec. 28 vs. Indiana when over 1200 Izzone alumni from across the world packed the Breslin Center to form the best environment in college basketball. They were early, rowdy and committed. They were excited about being part of the program that they helped build. They definitely took ownership and deservedly so. Now, we are looking to you to take that same ownership. Over the last 3 years, the team has won 2 Big Ten Championships and advanced to 2 Final Fours, but I believe the Izzone has not been up to the standards it created for itself. Without you, we’re a good program. With you, we’re an ELITE program.

I’m hoping this letter directly from me, not written by somebody else, will help you understand how important you are to our program. Great college environments are created by the students.

We ask everyone that touches our program to leave a mark behind for others to follow. That’s what tradition is all about. Tonight and through the rest of the Big Ten season I’m asking you to leave your mark. Forget the texting for a few hours and focus on our Spartans. Let’s create an atmosphere that Dick Vitale will be talking about again.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. It is important to me that you know how much I value your support. We will see you all tonight.