Student Section Management: Spotlight on Advertising Students in Action
When Michigan State Basketball season is underway, The Izzone is fired up to help lead the team to a victorious season thanks to its student leaders.
By: Brooke Tyszkiewicz
There would be no Izzone without the dedication of the organization’s student leaders. Advertising management junior, Erin Frump, became a student section leader in fall 2023 after Michigan State Basketball posted their search for new section leaders on Instagram. Thanks to the basketball student section, each game at the Breslin radiates with spirit, excitement and intimidation for the opposing team!
As ranked by Big Ten Network’s basketball analyst Andy Katz, The Izzone is the second-best student section in the country. It began with the start of head coach Tom Izzo’s career with MSU in 1995. For 28 years, The Izzone has brought students together, celebrating their love of college basketball. The spirit inside the Breslin Center has only grown over the years, which sparked Frump’s interest in the role.
“I have been a part of the Izzone for the last two years and when I saw that this was an opportunity I could have I thought it would be a lot of fun,” said Frump.
On a typical game day, The Izzone leaders arrive at the Breslin Center two and a half hours prior to the members of the student section. During the additional time in the arena, they get each seat in the lower bowl stocked with its necessary props for each game – everything from newspapers and insult sheets to paper bags. The newspaper is part of Frump’s favorite traditions to frazzle the opposing team.
“My favorite Izzone tradition is when they announce the opposing team’s starting lineup, and we all hold up the newspaper and act disinterested in the players,” said Frump. “I think many different schools have stolen this now, but when you see photos of everyone with their newspapers up and hear everyone in sync; it’s super cool.”
Izzone leaders also assist in running The Izzone Campout each fall. The campout, Frump’s favorite event, is hosted by MSU Basketball and The Izzone at Munn Field. Although planning is spearheaded by the basketball marketing team, execution of the campout falls in the hands of the student leaders. The student leaders manage logistics involving campsite distribution and set-up of over 1,000 sites. They also do check-ins throughout the night, ensuring that students are staying for the whole duration of the event.
“Even though it is usually cold and rainy, it really brings The Izzone all together and is something that no other school does,” said Frump. “I love the energy and getting to meet all the players and Coach Izzo.”
The shared experience of cheering on MSU Basketball has done it all from inspiring school spirit to creating life-long friendships and memories.
For more information on The Izzone, basketball tickets, and how you can join next season’s student section, visit https://msuspartans.com/sports/2018/7/20/studentsections. Go Green!