Izzone campout allows for interaction between team, fans
By Jeff Kanan (Last updated: 09/27/09 9:51pm)Students looking to get access to Tom Izzo and talk to their favorite players about last season’s Final Four run had the opportunity to do just that at this weekend’s Izzone Campout.
About to 2,000 students camped out from 9 a.m. Saturday to what was scheduled to be around 9 a.m. Sunday to help their chances of getting lower bowl tickets in the Izzone student cheering section.
Players signed autographs, met with campers and said they’re looking forward to starting the season after a productive summer.
“The way we ended the season last year, everybody was happy about it, but we also know we can do better, so we have to come out on top,” sophomore forward Draymond Green said. “We’re eager to get back into it and try to get back to where we were at, and come out on top this time.”
Izzo and each of the players addressed the large student assembly about last year’s NCAA Tournament run before mingling with campers.
The night’s only disappointment for fans came when Izzo was asked why he didn’t shave his head as he promised to do last fall if the Spartans won a Big Ten championship.
Among other reasons the coach listed, Izzo said he didn’t want to disappoint any potential recruits.
“This is a big recruiting weekend, and I’m sure not going to get any recruits looking like an idiot,” Izzo said to the audience, but added he’s kept the majority of the promises he’s made to the student cheering section through the years.
Fans said the event was a fun time and a good way to get player access.
Megan Kursik, a social relations and policy senior, has been a season ticket holder the past three years and said she’s impressed with Izzo’s dedication to fans.
“It’s cool just that Izzo actually camps out himself, which shows that he appreciates us as fans,” Kursik said. “I don’t really know of other coaches that do that.”
Other fans such as Darin Schug, an agribusiness management junior, enjoy the event because of its upbeat atmosphere. The campout featured live music, several footballs and frisbees being tossed around and plenty of cooking.
“You don’t get to camp out with all these students much,” Schug said. “It’s cool to see the basketball team and hang out with them and do all the activities.”
Last year Schug and some friends cooked venison and served it to several players, including senior forward Raymar Morgan and junior guard Kalin Lucas.
“They came by and we gave them dinner,” Schug said. “They were all kind of skeptical about it, but they liked it.”
This season the Spartans return with most of the players who were vital to their Final Four run and are considered a top-5 team, according to many preseason forecasts.
The backcourt should be especially dynamic with the return of Lucas and Morgan, along with fellow junior guards Durrell Summers and Chris Allen.
MSU should have much to look forward to, but as for Saturday night it was all about getting to know the fans and showing appreciation for their supporters.
“It’s good to see this many people out here supporting MSU basketball,” Izzo said. “It’s awesome.”
Originally Published: 09/27/09 9:51pm
Jason B
09/28/09 9:49amI disagree with Izzo. Shaving his head might have helped him with some recruits. To say that you promised something like that to your players and then went through with it, I’m sure there are some recruits that would look at that very positively. A little dissappointing.
READ
09/28/09 2:46pmJason, if you read above, it says he promised it to the student section, not the players. I read on here all the time, and it always seems like you are posting something without thinking it through first…take your time, and maybe re-read what you are posting to make sure you don’t look stupid all the time
Dan
09/28/09 5:36pmTo READ,
I agree with Jason when he says that Izzo should have shaved his head. Yes, he did in fact promise the student section, but I do believe it would help bring recruits too. If a recruit sees that a coach cares that much about a program and its fans, he will be more apt to sign on with the program. Also, had Izzo shaved his head, it also helps the overall recruitment of students to the university and future-Izzone members as well.
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John Dent
09/28/09 6:18pmHey does anyone know who that skater dude was during the football game? I found that guy and his antics to be pretty awesome.
Scott
09/30/09 1:10pmIzzo has done his job better than any college coach over the last 12 years. He’s built Michigan State into one of the top 5 programs in the country. I would trust that Izzo knows what he is talking about when recruiting potential Spartans. In the end, we owe Izzo for his commitment to the program and hunger to win. In the end does it really matter that he didn’t shave his head? He still is going to bring us into the season as a contender year in and year out.