Frequently Asked Questions: 2009-2010
More questions and answers will constantly be added. Please check back for updates.
Topics
II - General
III - Student Admission Sale Information
IIII - Eligibility
IIV - Seating and Attendance
V - Izzone Campout
VI - Student Involvement
VII - Road Trips

I - General Questions
Q. What is the Izzone?
A. The Izzone is the largest and most intimidating student section in college basketball. With over 3,000 dedicated members, the Izzone is known throughout the country as a part of the rich tradition of Michigan State Basketball.
Q. How was the Izzone formed?
A. The Izzone was formed by partnership between the Student Alumni Foundation and the Athletic Department along with Coach Tom Izzo. The goal was to create a student section that would support the basketball team while also representing the university in a positive manner. It has grown from a group of a few dozen students in the mid-nineties to over 3000! The Izzone has become a model for student sections around the country.

II - Student Admission Sale Information
Q. How does one buy an Izzone student admission?
A. Izzone student season basketball admission requests will be filled out with payment at www.msuspartans.com. Click on the link for “Tickets”.
Q. What is the cost of Izzone student season basketball admission and what does it include?
A. $180 includes student admission to the 15 game package, ticket handling charge, and SAF membership. This also includes Izzone & SAF T-shirts, game day hand-outs, game premiums, and all SAF Membership benefits.
Q. Will students have the same seat for each game, or are the tickets in the form of a voucher?
A. Vouchers will be imbedded on the student's ID. When entering the gate, the ID will be scanned to be sure you are a ticket holder and then you will receive a wristband if you are in the lower bowl and a ticket if you are in the upper bowl. If a student wishes to sit by friends in their section, they must enter the gate at the same time.
Q. What is the Student Alumni Foundation?
A. SAF is the largest registered student organization at Michigan State University exceeding 6,000 students. Being a part of the Student Alumni Foundation means being involved in the most visible facets of MSU, opportunities to develop leadership skills, assist the University, and participate in exciting and enjoyable experiences that will make your time in college memorable. SAF programs include the Izzone, Slapshots, Sparty Mascot Program, Alumni Engagement, Students for State, MSU Community Programs, Spartan Ambassadors (campus tours) and Family Weekend. Members of SAF also receive a membership card with over 60 discounts at area businesses including discounts on used textbooks, clothing and food. Members of the Izzone & Slapshots are automatically members of SAF. For more membership information including a complete list of benefits, please click here.

III - Eligibility
Q. Who is eligible to be a member of the Izzone?
A. Students eligible to order student season basketball admission must be enrolled full-time in a degree-granting program at MSU's East Lansing campus for both Fall and Spring semesters. Lifelong education students do not qualify as students enrolled in a degree granting program. College of Education students working towards their teaching certificate are allowed a one-year grace period (provided they are enrolled full-time).
Q. I am a married student at MSU. Is my spouse eligible for student basketball season admission?
A. Student Season Basketball Admission for the spouse of a student may be ordered by providing a copy of a marriage license to the ticket office. A spouse ID must be obtained from the Administration Building and the Spouse ID number communicated to the Spartan Ticket Office prior to the day of the first game.
Q. Am I eligible for the Izzone if I am a full time student for only one semester?
A. Members must be full time students for both semesters in order to be eligible. The only exception is students who will be graduating in May and only need a limited number of credits to graduate.

IV - Seating and Attendance
Q. Who is eligible for lower bowl priority access?
A. Admission to the lower bowl for the 09-10 season is determined by student's attendance at the games during the previous year (09-10) along with participation in this year's Izzone Campout (September 26-27, 2009). Lower Bowl Priority Access is determined by ranking students on how many games they attended and their average arrival time along with attendance at the 2009-10 Izzone Campout (both upper & lower bowls).  The top 1400 returning Izzone members that meet the outlined criteria will receive Lower Bowl Priority Access.  For more info about the Campout, please see questions in the following section.
Q. How is our attendance taken at the games?
A. When entering the gate, your ID will be scanned. It will record your arrival time at the game.
Q. This will be my first year participating in the Izzone as I am either a freshmen or a returning student who has never been in the Izzone. Am I able to receive Lower Bowl Priority Access?
A. As a first year Izzone member, you are not eligible to receive full season lower bowl priority access.  The Wildcard option allows those in the upper bowl to receive lower bowl priority access admission on a game-by-game basis.  Please see the Izzone Seating Policy for specific details.
Q. Does it matter how many games I attend and when I arrive to the game?
A. YES – Attendance and arrival time will be recorded at every home game when your student ID is scanned at admission.  Attendance and arrival time from the 2009-10 season will be a determining factor (along with completion of the campout) in deciding who receives lower bowl priority access for the 2010-11 season.  Attendance at the Izzone Campout will count towards your 2009-10 attendance.
Q. I am a returning Izzone member that had lower bowl admissions in 2008-09.  Am I guaranteed lower bowl priority access for the 2009-10 season?
A. If you are a returning Izzone member that had lower bowl admission in 2008-09, you will receive lower bowl priority access only if your attendance and time of arrival is ranked in the top 1400 of the entire section (upper & lower) and you successfully complete the 09-10 Izzone Campout. Students that do not meet these qualifications will receive upper bowl admissions.
Q. If I receive lower bowl priority access for 2009-10, will it be guaranteed for the 2010-11 season?
A. No.  For 2010-11, all lower bowl priority access seating will be based upon 2009-10 attendance and arrival time for both members with admissions in the lower and upper bowl.  Students that attended the most games, arrived the earliest, and completed the campout will receive lower bowl priority access.  The key – get to games early and often!  

V - Izzone Campout
Q. When is the Izzone Campout?
A. This year, the Izzone Campout will be the weekend of Saturday, September 26, 2009 until Sunday September 27, 2009. Registration for the campout will take place on the 3rd Floor of the Union Building on Friday, September 25, 2009. The campout begins early Saturday morning (8:00am) and ends Sunday morning (8:00am).
Q. Who is eligible to campout and when will we know if we are eligible?
A. All members are eligible and highly encouraged to participate in the campout as it counts towards your 2009-10 attendance.  Students that are eligible for lower bowl priority access (per previous year’s attendance rank) will be posted on Izzone.com, the SAF website, and at the Athletic Ticket Office after season admission sales are complete.  Students that are on the lower bowl priority access list must place a request with payment for student season admissions and successfully complete the Izzone Campout to receive lower bowl priority admission. 
Q. What if all students on the lower bowl priority access list do not complete the campout?
A. Remaining lower bowl priority access admissions will filled using attendance ranking from the previous season and if the campout was successfully completed.
Q. How likely is it that I will receive lower bowl priority access if I am not on the original list?
A. Your chances are based upon last years attendance and arrival time.  If you had great attendance and arrived early, you have a good chance that you will receive lower bowl priority access.  Please remember, chances are limited to the number of students on lower bowl priority access list that do not attend the campout.
Q. This is my first year with student season basketball admissions.  Does the campout matter to me?
A. YES – the campout counts towards all Izzone members attendance for 2009-10 season.  Attendance and arrival time ranking will determine lower bowl priority access for the 2010-11 season.  For example: If you are a freshman this year (09-10), attend this year’s campout, attend every home game, and arrive 1.5 hours prior to tipoff (doors open), it is almost a guarantee that you will receive lower bowl priority access in 2010-11.
Q. What takes place at the Izzone campout?
A. The campout itself is normally one of the most memorable events of the year! Students set up tents (or sometimes have simply a blanket), play football and Frisbee, cookout on grills, order food, visit with friends, play cards, and take advantage of some of the events SAF has planned for the evening. Students are able to go into Munn Ice Arena to watch the MSU football game together.  There is an extensive line-up of local bands and talent along with a new buffalo wing eating contest!  Tom Izzo has camped out for the past few years and members of the basketball team often stop by to hang out with the fans. Overall, it is a great time!
Q. What if I am unable to attend the campout?
A. If you are unable to attend the campout due to a university related activity, you will be able to request a waiver by filling out a waiver form which will be available in the SAF office, 333 Union Building and on our website.  Waiver forms are due by Thursday, September 24, 2009.
Q. How does one complete the campout?
A. 4 Random attendance checks occur throughout the campout. You must be present at your campsite during all checks to complete the campout.  Announcements will be made as to when the attendance checks will take place.

VI - Student Involvement
Q. How do I get involved in the Izzone?
A. Each year, the directors select Izzone section leaders. These dedicated individuals volunteer their time assisting the directors prior to games along with other Izzone activities. During the season, section leaders arrive two and a half hours prior to tip off (an hour prior to the normal gates opening 90 minutes prior to tip) to help the directors pass out newspapers/paper bags/newsletters. Once the gates open, they will assist in the entry process. As compensation, section leaders get a behind the scenes look at the Izzone, along with MSU basketball. They will often receive free meals, along with being invited to exclusive activities. While being a section leader is often somewhat time consuming, most notably on game days, section leaders in the past will tell you that it is well worth the commitment. This is also a great way to be more involved in SAF in general as many section leaders have gone on to become part of the SAF Board of Directors.
Q. If I cannot commit to being an Izzone section leader, how else can I help?
A. Students are always welcome to offer to help the directors with various tasks. Feel free to email us at Izzone@msu.edu.
Q. How can I become more involved in the Student Alumni Foundation?
A. The best place to start is by looking at the SAF website: www.msusaf.com, calling us at (517)355-4458, or visiting the SAF Office at 333 Union Building.  There you will find information on all of the SAF programs along with information how to volunteer for each of the programs. Each spring, applications are available for students who would like to apply to be on the SAF Board of Directors. Being a part of SAF is a great way to get involved on campus, with MSU alumni, in the community and meet many new people along the way.

VII - Road Trips
Q. Does the Izzone travel to away games?
A. Each year the Izzone travels to at least one away game. A limited number of tickets are available on a first come, first serve basis. Some of the trips the Izzone has made in the past include Spartan Clash at the Palace of Auburn Hills, BasketBowl at Ford Field, Purdue, overnight trips to Iowa and Minnesota in addition to travelling to Final Four appearances. Package prices vary depending on trip location.
Q. What is the average cost of road trips?
A. Cost is determined by several factors – ticket cost, transportation costs, and accommodations. Information will be sent out to students as soon as it is available.