UPDATE: Report: Taco Bell to continue free taco promotion after MSU basketball games
The Breslin Center is known for its various traditions regarding MSU basketball. From the Izzone jumping whenever the Spartans are on defense to popping paper bags after the team’s first field goal, these traditions have become a part of experiencing a game at the Breslin Center.
One of those traditions has officially been discontinued.
Since 2004, anyone with a ticket stub to that game could redeem it for a free taco at Taco Bell if the MSU basketball team scores 70 or more points at home.
According to Paul Schager, the associate athletic director of external operations for MSU athletics, the promotion has been discontinued because of a corporate decision.
“It was a popular promotion, we’ve heard that some fans are disappointed and we understand that, we’re disappointed too,” he said.
Word had not gotten out to all Izzone members, as the Taco Bell location at 601 East Grand River Avenue had to put out signs after MSU’s 82-67 win over the University of Portland on Monday telling fans that the promotion was no longer going on.
Schager said no outward effort was made by the athletic department to promote the change in partnership between Taco Bell and MSU athletics.
“We didn’t make any efforts, we’re not going to celebrate it,” he said.
Schager said no promotion is lined up right now to replace the Taco Bell promotion.
“We didn’t want to do something right away, it takes time for something like this to get popular,” he said.
Schager added that if Taco Bell wanted to renew their contract the athletic department would listen.
“The partner is aware that there has been some displeasure among Spartans,” he said. “Should they change their mind, we will be receptive to hearing them out.”
While some students protested the end of the promotion on Twitter, others have less strong reactions about it.
Math sophomore Jacob VanAmberg said while the promotion added some incentive to cheer late in games, he won’t miss the promotion that much.
“It provided a little bit of extra entertainment, but I never went to Taco Bell after the game, personally,” he said. “It didn’t get me that upset.”
VanAmberg said he wouldn’t mind seeing a future promotion to replace the free taco promotion, but doesn’t think one is necessary.
“It wouldn’t be a big deal,” he said. “They still do ball tosses and t-shirts and things like that during the game.”
VanAmberg said his attendance won’t be effected by the lack of free tacos.
“If that’s your main reason for going to the games, you shouldn’t buy tickets,” he said.
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