Contracts, dress code, doctor's notes - participating in the Izzone under the new rules is essentially a job.
As computer engineering junior Mauricio Gomes's Web site Izzonesucks.com states: "This type of system changes the nature of the organization into one that students already dislike, an organization that goes by the name of work. The only difference being that we pay the Izzone instead of the Izzone paying us."
On the grounds of not wearing an Izzone T-shirt, Eric Shapiro, a human nutrition junior and two-year Izzone member, was not allowed to enter the MSU vs. Purdue game on Jan. 18. He's not the first and probably not the last.
Among the other outlandish absurdities Izzone fans are contracted to endure are tracked game entrance times to determine future membership eligibility, only being allowed two unexcused absences to retain tickets, needing to present a doctor's note to excuse a sickness and a death certificate to prove funeral attendance. Students even need special clearance to miss a game on account of classes.
Most professors at least allow three unexcused absences from class.
We understand the sentiment behind these rules - it is well placed. Who doesn't want to have the most unified student cheering section in the country? But, in the end, all these rules amount to is forced spirit, and forced spirit is no spirit at all.
The poor treatment students are enduring can't be better expressed than by Izzone co-Director Mike Tierney's cavalier statement in Friday's State News story "Izzoned Out?" (SN 1/28). He called the concerns whining. This survival of the fittest attitude is one common in sporting events, not sporting event observing. The competition should be on the court, not to be first in the Breslin Center.
With head coach Tom Izzo supporting these policy changes - believing the extra support from 4,000 early-bird fans will rally his team - many students might be hard pressed to speak against them. In this case, the normally reverent Tom Izzo is wrong.
Look at the Cameron Crazies, the highly visible student cheering section in Cameron Indoor Stadium that cheers on Duke University's Blue Devils. They are a force of diverse T-shirts and game-day attire that has risen to become the most well-known in the nation. They didn't make it to the top through squashing diversity and supporting conformity.
People such as Gomes, who is seeking 400 signatures at Izzonesucks.com to present to the Izzone directors, should be commended for voicing their concerns. He is a true fan.
Hopefully, officials such as Associate Athletic Director Mark Hollis, who is open to listening to student's concerns about changes in Izzone policy, will help make a push to amend these radical conditions.
Although we want to see a strong Spartan attendance, even at weekday games against mediocre teams, we don't want to see fans more afraid of missing a game than missing actual work.
