Frequently Asked Questions: 2007-2008

More questions and answers will constantly be added. Please check back for updates.

Topics
I - General
II - Student Admission Sale Information
III - Eligibility
IV - 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 nearly 2,300 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 nearly 4,000! 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 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 admission and what does it include?
A. $179 includes $10 handling fee and SAF fee of $15 for the 14 game package. This also includes Izzone & SAF T-shirts and SAF Membership.

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, Students for State, Winter Formal, Family Weekend and Campus Tours. Members of SAF also receive a membership card with many discounts at area businesses including discounts on used textbooks, clothing and food. Members of any of the spirit sections 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 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 admission?
A. Student 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 the lower bowl?
A. Seating in the lower bowl is determined by student's attendance at the games during the previous year along with participation in this year's Izzone Campout (September 29-30, 2007). Attendance is determined by ranking students depending on how many games they attended along with the average arrival time prior to tipoff at each game. After the returning member sales, we will know how many spots are available in the lower bowl and will know who is eligible to receive those seats if they complete the campout. 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 student admission?
A. First year member seats are located in the upper bowl; lower bowl seating is determined by information from the previous year. However, you may choose to participate in the Izzone campout as an extra for a chance to get lower bowl student admission if enough eligible people for lower bowl seats do not successfully complete the campout. Information on signing up as an extra will be available several weeks prior to the campout.

V - Izzone Campout

Q. When is the Izzone Campout?
A. This year, the Izzone Campout will be the weekend of Saturday, September 29, 2007 until Sunday September 30, 2007. Exact times will be available several weeks prior to the campout. The campout begins early Saturday morning and ends Sunday morning.

Q. Who is eligible to campout and when will we know if we are eligible?
A. All members are eligible for the campout and everyone has a chance to receive lower bowl student admission. However, only some members will be guaranteed lower bowl seats if they complete the campout. The list of these members who will get lower bowl seats assuming that they campout will not be available until after the Izzone ticket sale. All other members may choose to be an extra at the campout and have a chance to receive lower bowl student admission if enough people do not complete the campout.

Q. How do I sign up to be an extra at the campout?
A. Extras will sign up for the campout during the week between the end of the ticket sale and the campout through a link on the Izzone website.

Q. How likely is it that extras will receive lower bowl seats?
A. It all depends on how many people sign up as extras. In some years, everyone that camps out has received lower bowl student admission. Other years, there are many students that campout that still receive upper student admission. However, with 2,300 members, there will be a large number of people who campout as extras. Oftentimes, factors like the weather come into play along with other activities students have going that weekend.

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 etc. In the past, we have been able to watch college football games including the MSU game. 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 an excuse by filling out a form which will be available in the SAF office, 333 Union Building and on our website. You will be asked for contact info, as the directors may follow up on the activity.

Q. How does one complete the campout?
A. Random attendance checks occur throughout the campout. You must be present during all checks to complete the campout or you will not have a chance at lower bowl seats.

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. Upper bowl section leaders will also be guaranteed lower bowl student admission the following year as long as they complete the campout the following year. 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. 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 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. Tickets include transportation to and from the event.

Q. What is the average cost of road trips?
A. Depending on where the game is being played and what is included, they have ranged from $15 up to $100 dollars. Information will be sent out to students as soon as it is available.