Tom Izzo is a basketball coach, but to the community at Michigan State, he is so much more. That was more than evident Wednesday night when he addressed a crowd gathered for a candlelight vigil on campus following the tragic shooting in East Lansing.

Late Monday night, 3 Spartan students were shot and killed with 5 others taken to the hospital in critical condition. As the Spartans do their best to grieve and cope with the situation, Izzo offered his condolences to the families directly impacted by the shooting.

“As well as the rest of our university community that was impacted by the horrific actions Monday night, I”m representing our athletic department and I feel like Michigan State. My 40th year here. I don’t like the place, I don’t love the place, I live the place.

“To the families of those who were senselessly taken from us, words seem so hollow right now. To the individuals currently fighting for their lives in a hospital and their families, we’re praying for you.”

Izzo reiterated that MSU and East Lansing is his true home while hammering out the unity within the Spartan community:

“Michigan State is my home. Everyone thinks I’m a Yooper. Yes, that’s where I came from, but for virtually all of my adult life I’ve been a Spartan. I’ve seen some incredible highs. And yes, unfortunately, there have been some devastating lows. But as a Spartan, we always get through it, together. We’re Spartan tough, we’re Spartan strong.”

Here are Izzo’s full remarks to the Spartan community that cover a little over 7 minutes: