Perhaps that is why being a part of the Izzone means so much to me. When I was a high school senior, I had no idea what direction life would take me. The Izzone gave me a sense of direction and a goal to strive for. It allowed me to be a part of something I would love as soon as I got to campus.

Once I arrived on campus in fall of 2011, I knew I would do anything to be a part of such an exclusive group, the lower bowl Izzone. It took commitment to be included in this group. Attend most games as a freshman and you could get in.

I would miss class to be in line hours before the game in hopes of getting into the extra lower bowl seats. My grades took a hit, same with my social life. I would do anything to get into the lower bowl. Only a certain amount of upper bowl members got into the lower bowl each game three years ago, and I had to be among that group.

Coming from Chicago, I knew only one other student when I came to MSU. The intimidation factor of nearly 50,000 students was pretty significant. Sometimes I felt alone during my freshman year. So I joined a group that might help with making friends while also being involved in something I love.

My first semester of college away from my family gave me a lot of anxiety. While I was so far away from home and dealing with the stresses of everyday student life, I needed something to take my mind off of things.

The Izzone was something I could do to get away. It helped me forget the stress of school. It was so much more than just a group of over-excited college students.

I was always happiest when I was arm-in-arm with the Izzone faithfuls. Some of my favorite memories from the Izzone involved waiting outside in the freezing cold huddled up with other students. The Izzone Campout has been one of my favorite campus events each year.

Most of my favorite memories are from this campout. Thousands of students setting up their tents to sleep outside on the field outside of Munn Ice Arena offers an initiation process of sorts.

At the last one, my friends and I managed to grill burgers and hotdogs. We stayed up all night playing cards and tossing the football around. It was a beautiful night that I will never forget.
As the morning hours approached, a loud noise could be heard wandering through the field.

It was Izzo screaming into a megaphone. He was letting the students know it was time to wake up.
At one point in my life, I wanted to be a college basketball player and play on the biggest stage. Now, I get to be a part of the greatest student section in the U.S., cheering on one of the best college basketball programs in the country.

Maybe it’s not quite what I had hoped to do when I was younger, but the Izzone opened up its arms and welcomed me to MSU. It offered an opportunity to be among people who love basketball like I do. The lower bowl Izzone was a place where I could forget about the outside problems that would arise over the course of student life and cheer on my school.

After the last Izzone home game against Nebraska, I started to think about how much this student group means to me. For me, the Izzone has been much more than a group of fans. It offered me everything I love about MSU in one complete package.

Ben Stram is a State News reporter. Reach him at bstram@statenews.com.