Barry Greer has stood before the Spartan Brass, waving his fingers and tapping his feet in time with the tune of the Michigan State Fight Song, for more than 20 years of basketball games.

Even during the game when the Spartan Marching Band isn’t playing to hype the crowd, Barry Greer can be seen jumping up and down in sync with members of the Izzone.

But there is something even more unique about Greer – he has Down syndrome.

It was in 1991 when 6-year-old Barry Greer and his dad, Lee Greer, approached the band director, John Madden, for the first time.

“He was 4 years old when I started taking him to the games and it took me until he was six to get him to go down and actually see the band,” Lee Greer said.

Madden said many kids see the band as shiny and glamorous, and so he showed Barry Greer the instruments, such as the trombone.

But at some point, he and Madden began talking, not paying as much attention to Barry Greer.

That one unsupervised moment was enough for Barry Greer. He saw his opportunity, and he took it.

“He started directing the band on his own and John and I thought that was pretty interesting and it took off from there,” Lee Greer said.

And now, Barry Greer is an enthusiastic fixture of every basketball game. While Barry Greer's Down syndrome prevents him from speaking clearly, with every smile and hand movement Barry Greer radiates exuberance onto the crowd during his conducting sessions.

Even when Lee Greer, who works as a UPS driver, can’t bring Barry Greer to the game, Barry Greer’s mom Debbie Greer will get him there.

“My wife will drop him off, he knows the routine. He’ll get down to the band with John, and I just have to try and get here before the game ends,” Lee Greer said.

Music therapy

Not only does Barry Greer mimic the conducting, but once he even came dressed to fit the part.

At one game, Madden said Barry Greer showed up sporting a green blazer, made by his grandma, and similar to the one Madden would wear during games.

Now, Barry Greer wears outfits similar to the band members’ or matches the Izzone fans and he always has his “game shoes” on.

The shoes, given to him by Izzo, have the signatures of players on them. Barry only wears them to basketball games.

Throughout the years, Madden said he believes the music the band plays has been like therapy for Barry.

“I think the music ... when he hears the music, the beat, the sound and precision, it’s a real live form of music therapy that’s made his life more valuable,” Madden said.

The first few times Barry Greer joined Madden conducting, Lee Greer said he couldn’t keep a beat. But he said he thinks that’s changed by now.

“I guess after 23 years, he should be able to keep a beat by now,” Lee Greer said.

Madden said there isn’t a lot of conducting happening during the game – he usually directs the brass when to start and end a song.

Barry Greer takes the center spot, waving his fingers like a conductor would, while Madden might play the cowbell along with the band.

“He’s certainly mimicking what a conductor does but more than that, the music is affecting him in a positive and joyful way,” Madden said.

Lee Greer said he and his family are grateful that Barry Greer is able to be a part of one of the "best bands around." 

"Without John T. Madden, there is no Barry Greer," Lee Greer said. 

James O’Neill, a microbiology and human biology freshman, said seeing Barry Greer conduct while he plays during the game is an incredible experience.

“It’s really cool for him to take charge of us a little bit and tell us how he wants the music to sound,” O’Neill said. “He’ll point at sections and tell them to play louder because he wants to hear that part more.”

Lee Greer said one of Barry Greer’s favorite songs performed by the band, usually played at halftime, is Santana’s “Everybody’s Everything.”

“That’s the one he really interacts with the band... he’s very entertaining when it comes to that song,” Lee said.

Each year, band members graduate. But Barry Greer returns to the same spot next to Madden in front of the band.

“We always kid with John that we’ve got another one-year contract,” Lee Greer said.

For the love of basketball

When the time runs out on the game clock and fans begin to leave Breslin Center, parents and friends of players gather in a waiting area near the locker room.

Barry Greer and his dad are among the cluster of people.

“We feel blessed that Tom has allowed Barry to love on the guys like he does after every game,” Lee said. “The character of players (Izzo) gets are not only great players but they’re great guys. They embrace Barry and see he’s genuine.”

While waiting, Barry Greer likes to check the statistics sheet after every game – seeing how all the players did after a win or a loss.

As players leave the locker room, each one gives Barry Greer a high five or takes the time to stop and talk to him and his dad.

“No matter what, we have to stay till the last player comes out,” Lee Greer said.

Barry uses the opportunity to give players advice about the game.

“He likes to give me some tips on how to score a ball better or shoot better and I take that in,” sophomore forward Gavin Schilling said.

One of Barry Greer’s current favorite players on the team, junior guard Denzel Valentine, usually saves a Gatorade for Barry Greer after the game.

“He always brings a smile to my face, he’s always cheering us on,” Valentine said. “He’s always positive.”

Even though Barry Greer makes it to every home basketball game, away games are a different story.

Madden said because of what could be a liability issue, Barry Greer does not travel with the band.

When the men’s basketball team played at a Big Ten Tournament in Chicago, Barry and Lee Greer were there, but Barry Greer was in the stands and not on the floor with Madden and the brass.

“Barry was probably confused why he didn’t get to go down on the floor,” Madden said.

But even then, Madden said Barry Greer doesn’t take any of the experience for granted.

Debbie Greer said the televised games at their house are interesting to watch, especially during a close game.

She said he’ll bring MSU memorabilia out of his room and line them in front of the TV, using them like talismans, hoping to give the team good luck.

It’s not just the men’s basketball team Barry Greer has a passion for either — he is currently involved in a Unified League through MSU, which connects students and special olympians to play together.

Debbie Greer said she was excited Barry Greer would get to be a part of the league since there are not many of its kind.

"(The league) definitely helps to drop the stigma around people with special needs,” said Jessica Osos, special education senior and one of the league’s organizers.

The league will continue for five weeks, ending after spring break with a championship game at Breslin Center.

An honorary member

During his time as an undergraduate at MSU, strength and conditioning coach Mike Vorkapich was introduced to Barry Greer.

In an adapted physical education class, Vorkapich said he worked with Barry Greer and got to know him and his story.

Vorkapich now serves as a board member for the Varsity S Club and in 2011, he nominated Barry Greer to be inducted as a member.

The Varsity S Club is for varsity letterwinners but there are other levels of membership, such as becoming an honorary member, which includes Barry Greer, since he served a significant role in MSU athletics.

Vorkapich said honorary members “contribute to MSU athletics with a great passion,” and Barry Greer does just that.

2011 marked 20 years which Barry Greer assisted Madden with conducting the band at men’s basketball games and so, Vorkapich said he wanted to honor him the only way that seemed fitting. 

Barry was inducted as an honorary member of the Varsity S Club in 2011 and presented with an honorary letter jacket by men’s basketball alumnus Mateen Cleaves – another player whom Barry Greer calls a “favorite.” 

“It kind of made him feel that much more part of the group,” Vorkapich said on Barry Greer’s induction.

In 2011, Madden was also made an honorary member of the Varsity S Club. 

But Vorkapich said Barry Greer's role is more than honorary. 

"Barry stands for everything right about this university," Vorkapich said.