April 2, 2009
Dear Spartans:
The media and others have been talking and writing about "a home-court advantage" for the Spartans at Ford Field in the NCAA Final Four. We
are proud and excited about being in the Final Four in our home state
- there's no secret our presence was our goal and a commitment since we
first heard in July 2003 that the 2009 NCAA Championship would be held
in Detroit. But I want to tell you about a "home" advantage we've
already experienced. When we returned from Indianapolis, we were greeted
by many of you. You shared your pride, appreciation, enthusiasm, and
hopes. You showed us what homecoming at MSU is all about. We were
unified. We were united. We felt it again at the great send-off last
evening. I promise you we are taking that inspirational spirit onto the
court at Ford Field. You are in many ways the "we of team."
We are proud to share this team's great achievement - and future great achievements - with you. As visible members of the Spartan family, our players realize they have a public role that reflects and creates the
image and reputation of our world-class university. I am very proud of
the way they have represented Team MSU on and off the court. As fellow members of Team MSU, I ask you to also be aware of your role and responsibility for publicly conveying what it means to be a Spartan. Spartans work tirelessly, compete diligently, and celebrate responsibly
- all with class. Your enthusiastic and creative support for our team is needed now more than ever. We want to see a lot of you. We want to hear
a lot from you. This week, let us all place the focus where it belongs, on your fellow students who this season have accomplished great things for our university, and who will put their focus on doing all they can
to achieve even more as our state hosts the Final Four. We're home;
let's bring it home! Let's celebrate. Let's do it with class. Go Green!
Coach Tom Izzo
For information on celebrating Spartan Success go to
http://finalfour.msu.edu/
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