BREAKING: Michigan State Coach Tom Izzo Makes Transformational Gift to Establish “The Izzo Home” for Homeless Youth
**EAST LANSING, Mich.** – In a landmark act of philanthropy that cements his legacy far beyond the basketball court, Michigan State University Hall of Fame head coach **Tom Izzo** and his family have announced a multi-million dollar personal gift to establish a first-of-its-kind supportive housing facility for homeless and at-risk youth in the Greater Lansing area. The facility, to be named **“The Izzo Home,”** was unveiled Tuesday in partnership with the **Capital Area Housing Partnership** and **Spartan Youth Advocates**.
Izzo, who has led the Spartan basketball program for three decades, is directing a transformative personal donation—the largest of his lifetime and among the most significant ever by a sitting college coach—to address youth homelessness, an issue he has called a “silent crisis” in the community he has called home since 1983.
“For over 40 years, this community has supported me, my family, and my teams. It’s given us everything,” Coach Izzo said, speaking at a press conference at the Breslin Center. “But in a community this strong, no young person should ever wonder where they’re going to sleep or if they’re safe. ‘The Izzo Home’ is about more than shelter. It’s about providing the stability, support, and second chances that every kid deserves. It’s about living the ‘Giving Back’ part of ‘Spartans Will.’”
The gift will fund the construction of a new, state-of-the-art residential complex in Lansing designed specifically for individuals aged 16-24 experiencing homelessness or housing instability. “The Izzo Home” will move beyond temporary solutions by providing long-term transitional housing alongside comprehensive, on-site support services. These will include academic and career counseling, mental and physical health services, financial literacy training, and life skills coaching, all within a safe and structured environment modeled on stability and dignity.
“Coach Izzo’s vision is for a home that offers a foundation for life,” said Dr. Alicia Reeves, CEO of the Capital Area Housing Partnership. “This isn’t just a donation; it’s a life-changing investment in our future. ‘The Izzo Home’ will provide the holistic, wraparound support that can permanently break the cycle of homelessness for young people in our community. His compassion will have a direct, generational impact.”
The announcement has drawn overwhelming praise from the Michigan State community. University President **Teresa K. Woodruff**, Athletic Director **Alan Haller**, and numerous former Spartan basketball stars were present to endorse the initiative. Izzo has also enlisted current and former players to participate in a mentorship program connected to the home.
“Tom Izzo’s legacy is defined by family, toughness, and making a difference,” said AD Alan Haller. “Today, he’s defining that legacy in the most profound way possible. This gift embodies the soul of Michigan State.”
The Izzo family’s contribution will also establish a permanent endowment to ensure the home’s ongoing operations and programming. Coach Izzo issued a challenge to fellow Spartans, local businesses, and the community to join him in supporting the endowment, aiming to create a self-sustaining resource.
For a coach whose name is synonymous with March resilience, “The Izzo Home” establishes a new, permanent pillar of his impact. It stands as a powerful testament to the belief that every young person, much like a walk-on or a freshman, deserves the coaching, the support, and the unwavering belief to help them succeed in the game of life.
