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MSU leadership, including Tom Izzo and Mel Tucker, discuss huge donation by former Spartan Mat Ishbia
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Michigan State received big news – and big money – earlier this week with a huge donation.
That donation came from Mat Ishbia, a former walk-on hoops player for Tom Izzo and the Spartans. His donation was announced at $32 million to the athletic department, including $20 million for the football program that will allow Michigan State to expand the Skandalaris Football Center.
On Friday, Ishbia met with the media, along with appearances by Izzo and Mel Tucker, to discuss the donation. Among other things, Ishbia discussed the impact his time in East Lansing had on his life and his desire to honor Izzo with his name on some of the future plans.
Mat Ishbia says playing at MSU “changed his life forever” and called seeing Izzo’s work ethic and “little moments that last a lifetime” things that shaped him.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) February 5, 2021
Ishbia: “This gift is not about me.” Wanted Izzo’s name “as many places as possible” for what he has done for MSU. Football building and Breslin court proposed to be named after Izzo.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) February 5, 2021
Ishbia said it was important for his $32M donation to touch all athletes at MSU. “Once you become a Spartan, you’re part of the family. Coach Izzo taught me that.”
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) February 5, 2021
Ishbia on Beekman: “He’s thinking long-term. He’s not thinking about gimmicks.”
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) February 5, 2021
Ishbia says he wanted to add fuel to the fire for Tucker’s success.
— Matt Wenzel (@mwenzel2) February 5, 2021
Along with Ishbia’s comments, Izzo reacted to the honor of his name eventually being on a building for the Spartans. Here’s what he had to say about Ishbia’s request:
Izzo to Ishbia: “Next time you come to a national championship game, it’ll be as a billionaire” and not a walk-on player. https://t.co/xO3ptFXEz1
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) February 5, 2021
Izzo said Dwayne Stephens joked that his son, Steve Smith’s son and Fred Hoiberg’s son can’t use their dad’s money. https://t.co/0Em4695oyH
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) February 5, 2021
Tucker also addressed the impact of the donation and future complex additions on the football program:
Mel Tucker says he already has been talking about the new facility with recruits yesterday. Calls it “a commitment to excellence.”
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) February 5, 2021
Mel Tucker doesn’t know when the new building will be done. “I don’t have a timeline but I have a shovel in my trunk. We might start later today.”
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) February 5, 2021
Asked when the building will be completed, Tucker says he isn’t sure but has a shovel in his car if they want to get started.
— Matt Wenzel (@mwenzel2) February 5, 2021
AD Bill Beekman also addressed the donation. Among other things, he did confirm that the donation does not have an impact on the decision to cut MSU’s swimming and diving program:
Beekman says the decision to end the men’s and women’s swimming and diving program after this season remains the same.
— Matt Wenzel (@mwenzel2) February 5, 2021
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.