IZZO WILL.
TOM IZZO: MR. MARCH, BIG TEN
COACH OF THE YEAR, ALL-TIME LEAGUE LEADER IN WINS
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo looks to the scoreboard following his 353rd win over Oregon at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan on
COLUMN: TOM IZZO, THE GREATEST BIG TEN BASKETBALL COACH OF
ALL TIME
By Kaspar Haehnle khaehnle@statenews.com
In the throne room of college basketball, one man sat above the rest, a torch in hand, bearing a crimson and cream sash. Above this throne that he sits in, there’s a label that reads “Greatest Basketball coach in Big Ten History.”
His name was Bob Knight — The General to some, the meanest coach to ever patrol the sidelines to others. Whatever you called him, his triumphs were undeniable. Three national championships, 11 Big Ten titles, 902 career wins, a 32-0 undefeated season—and one infamous chair hurled across the court in a ft of rage. This Hall of Fame coach — best remembered for his days at Indiana — is still widely regarded as one of the greatest college basketball coaches of all time. I never witnessed his rough yet victorious coaching style, but I grew up hearing about him through the stories of both of my grandfathers.
We could dwell on Knight, but I’m not an Indiana Hoosier columnist, and this isn’t about him. Today, I’m more concerned about Knight’s record – or ex-record – of 353 Big Ten victories. On Saturday night, Michigan State University basketball defeated Illinois 79-65. Why does this matter to Knight’s legacy? Well, that’s
because with this victory, MSU head coach Tom Izzo became the winningest head coach in conference history, stripping Knight of his old record and replacing it with his own. Izzo and his 354 conference wins now stands alone atop the Big Ten.
“The torch has been passed. The sash now bears green and white. The throne once labeled ‘Greatest Coach in Big Ten History’ now belongs to Tom Izzo.”
Kaspar Haehnle State News columnist
The torch has been passed. The sash now bears green and white. The throne once labeled “Greatest Coach in Big Ten History” now belongs to Tom Izzo.
“He’s the greatest coach in Big Ten history by
far, and I don’t think he needed the conference record to prove it,” biochemistry and molecular biology sophomore Cameron Baker said. “With every win that he racks up, the more of a legend he becomes, and I’ve realized that I’m lucky to be a Spartan during such a successful era.”
Baker is right — just about every Spartan fan would agree.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane. It’s January 4, 1996, at the Breslin Center — the frst Big Ten game of the season. A young frstyear head coach, Tom Izzo, stood on one sideline. On the other, an experienced Bob Knight led his Indiana squad.
I wasn’t around to witness this matchup frsthand, and even searching for footage came up empty. The only thing I can properly state to abide by the ethics of journalism is to give the fnal score of such a matchup: 65-60, MSU stood victorious.
1-0 in Big Ten play. The frst step in Izzo’s conference dominance.
Fittingly, Izzo’s frst Big Ten victory came against the very coach whose record he now surpasses. It could have been a full-circle moment had Izzo broken the record against Indiana last Tuesday. The record took longer than expected, but it’s fnally in the books.
Since that fnal buzzer sounded 29 years ago, Izzo’s frst ever conference victory stands to be one of the most signifcant wins in MSU basketball history. It was the start of something special — the road to 354 and counting.
For Izzo, conference win No. 354 is another mark of his lasting impact on this university. Without Izzo, there’s no 2000 national championship, no eight Final Fours, no 10 Big Ten titles, no 727 wins. Without Izzo, MSU basketball wouldn’t be what it is today.
This is because Izzo is Michigan State University. He’s not just a coach managing a dozen players. If you think otherwise, you’re missing the bigger picture.
For 30 years, Izzo has been MSU’s guiding force — a symbol of success, a mentor and the embodiment of Spartan pride. Through good and through bad, like a mother caring for her child, Izzo has been in Spartan nations corner since day one.
Thank you, Coach Izzo, for everything — not just the 354 conference wins, but for shaping MSU basketball and standing by this program through it all.
“He did it, and now he, the team and the fans can relax,” Baker said following the Illinois game. “He deserves all the credit in the world for achieving such a record, and I can’t wait for what he does to fnish this season.”
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Izzone members congratulate Michigan State freshman forward Colin Walton (43) following a game at the Breslin Center on March 9, 2025. Photo by Matthew WIlliams.
Infographic by Addison Ogburn.
THE RISE: Jase Richardson earns third straight Big Ten Freshman of the Week honor
By PJ Pfeiffer ppfeiffer@statenews.com
Michigan State University men’s basketball freshman guard Jase
Richardson earned his third straight Big Ten Freshman of the Week honor. Richardson helped steer No. 7 MSU to a pair of wins this last week, winning at Iowa, 91-84, which clinched MSU the Big Ten title, and defeating its in-state rival, the University of Michigan, 79-62 on Senior Day.
Over the two games, Richardson averaged 20 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, helping the Spartans extend their winning streak to seven and fnish the regular season 26-5 (17-3 Big Ten), setting a program record for most conference wins in a
season. Richardson recorded a gamehigh 22 points, four rebounds and two assists against Iowa, followed by 18 points, fve rebounds and three assists against Michigan.
Richardson entered the starting lineup just nine games ago. In his frst start, he scored 29 points and grabbed five rebounds in a home win over Oregon. Since then, he has averaged 16.9 points and 4.8 rebounds per game while shooting over 52% from the feld.
Even before becoming a starter, Richardson was a key contributor. He averaged 11.6 points in 24.2 minutes per game — both the second-highest on the team behind senior guard Jaden Akins. He also grabbed three rebounds and dished out two assists per game while shooting 52.4% from
the feld and 38.3% from beyond the arc, ranking second on the team in both categories.
Richardson has scored in double fgures 18 times this season, including all nine games as a starter.
Richardson’s offensive impact has fueled MSU’s success, playing a key role in its seven-game win streak. He has become a go-to player — a playmaker, a scorer and a leader who understands what it takes to win. His latest honor comes as no surprise, given his performance this past week and throughout the season.
Richardson and MSU now turn their focus to the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis. The Spartans will face either Indiana or Oregon on Friday, March 14, at noon. The game will air on Big Ten Network.
NEW LIMITED-EDITION TOM IZZO BOBBLEHEAD LETS FANS TRACK EVERY WIN
By Thomas Cobb tcobb@statenews.com
Tom Izzo’s wins keep adding up, and now there’s a bobblehead to keep count.
To commemorate the MSU men’s basketball head coach becoming the winningest in Big Ten history, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled a limited-edition Tom Izzo Win Counter Bobblehead on Friday.
An officially licensed MSU collectible, the interactive fgure allows fans to manually update both Izzo’s total career wins and his Big Ten victories — a ftting tribute to a coach whose success has defned MSU men’s basketball for three decades.
“With Hall of Fame coach Tom Izzo leading the way, the Spartans have been one of the most successful programs in the history of men’s college basketball,” museum co-founder and CEO Phil Sklar said in a release.
Izzo will donate his portion of the proceeds to scholarships for MSU men’s basketball’s student managers, according to the release.
WHERE TO BUY, PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
The Tom Izzo bobbleheads are available for $40 plus an $8 fat-rate shipping charge through the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum’s online store. Each bobblehead is individually numbered to 2,025 and expected to ship in August.
WHAT DOES THE BOBBLEHEAD LOOK LIKE?
The bobblehead features Izzo with his fst raised, holding an MSU-branded basketball while standing on a court-like base. The front of the base displays “COACH IZZO” along with a manual win counter, allowing fans to track every Michigan State University victory. The back includes a second counter to update his Big Ten wins total, a nod to his new record.
Izzo became the Big Ten’s all-time wins leader on Feb. 15, when MSU toppled Illinois in Champaign for his 354th career conference victory, surpassing Indiana Hoosiers legend Bob Knight. Three weeks later, the Spartans clinched
“With
Hall of Fame coach Tom Izzo leading the way, the Spartans have been one of the most successful programs in the hostory of men’s college basketball.”
Phil Sklar National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum co-founder and CEO
their frst outright Big Ten title since 2018, securing Izzo’s 11th conference championship with a 91-84 comeback win at Iowa. Michigan State has now won six straight games, positioning itself as the No. 1 seed in the Big Ten Tournament and a projected No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Michigan State freshman guard Jase Richardson (11) swings from the net after dunking at the Breslin Center on March 9, 2025. Photo by Matthew Williams.
Photo courtesy of the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum.
IN PORTAL ERA, JADEN AKINS STAYED — AND HELPED RESTORE
MSU’S TITLE STANDARD
By Thomas Cobb tcobb@statenews.com
Jaden Akins always kept his composure, but the last four years led to this moment; his fnal game at Breslin Center.
An MSU career spent grinding through evolution, expectations, setbacks and ultimately, acceptance. An outright Big Ten championship, sealed just days earlier, now giving way to a moment he could fnally soak in.
As the crowd swelled around him, the senior guard known for his reserved demeanor and quiet intensity let his emotions rise to the surface.
Akins wiped away tears as he kissed the Spartan logo at center court, surrounded by his teammates, coaches and fans celebrating a 79-62 rivalry MSU win over Michigan on Senior Day
to punctuate a championship season.
For once in his career, Akins wasn’t chasing or pushing through something. He was exactly where he wanted to be.
“I wanted to be able to win something,” Akins said after the Spartans beat Michigan, their seventh straight win. “And I feel like winning the (Big Ten) championship — we’re trying to do more — but I’m defnitely going to enjoy this.”
Akins arrived at MSU from Farmington Hills, Mich., as an athletic point guard, ranked No. 54 nationally in the Class of 2021 by 247Sports. As a sophomore, he became one of the Big Ten’s premier shooters, hitting 42% from three while carving out a key role alongside Tyson Walker and AJ Hoggard. But when those two returned for another season, Akins, expecting a bigger role, stayed at MSU anyway after testing the NBA Draft waters.
The leap from complementary piece to centerpiece wasn’t seamless. Defenses keyed in, and his threepoint percentage dipped to 36% as a junior. Shouldering a heavier load as a senior, Akins led MSU with 12.9 points per game in the regular season but fnished at just 29% from beyond the arc — a number that improved to 33% in Big Ten play, but still far from his standards.
At times, Akins looked like he was forcing a role that wasn’t his. Yet, he remained Izzo’s standard for work ethic and dedication. His
biggest impact wasn’t scoring — it was something bigger.
That role naturally shifted toward freshman Jase Richardson, whose late-season surge — capped by three straight Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors — alleviated some of Akins’ burden. The senior had spent two seasons preparing for that moment. When it didn’t come, he adapted.
MSU’s hardest worker became its most adaptable. Akins anchored a defense that delivered MSU its emphatic finish to the regular season, routinely guarding the opponent’s best perimeter scorer, earning him a spot on the Big Ten’s All-Defensive Team.
Akins adapts to what the Spartans need on a given night, and somewhere along the way, accepted that he doesn’t need to be the guy, just part of the group that got the Spartans back to where, in their minds, they always belonged.
“This is what I was dreaming for,”
Akins said the day after MSU won the Big Ten outright. “I’m happy that we were able to get the program back where it needed to be and we’re trying to get more.”
That dream began long before he ever wore green and white.
In his middle school yearbook, beneath a photo of him holding paper cutouts of a basketball and Spartan head, the caption reads: “Jaden Akins wants to be a Basketball Player for MSU.”
In the early days of Akins’ MSU career, his father echoed Bo Schembechler’s famous words to Izzo: “Those who stay, will be champions.”
Years later, Akins bent down at center court, a champion.
In today’s era of college basketball, where roster overhauls and transfer portal departures have become the norm, Akins stayed at MSU, enduring expectations, a changing role and an uncertain path.
“Jaden, even though he probably doesn’t feel that way now and he probably won’t feel that way until the season is over, he is one of my favorites,” Izzo said after Senior Day ceremonies. “Because in this day and age, anybody can leave. He hung in there. He fought through it, and he’s going to have one ring on his hand, for sure. And we’ll see what happens from there on out.”
For two seasons, Izzo has called Akins the team’s hardest worker — on the court and in the classroom. He’s been the standard. The leader. The one his teammates look to when adversity hits. That presence was unmistakable as the Spartans stormed through the fnal stretch of their schedule.
He is, as freshman point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. said on Feb. 28, MSU’s “level-headed captain that’s been through it all.”
“He’s seen the highs. He’s seen the lows. He’s just really understanding — what’s going on, how things might
change,” Fears said. “Just expecting and prepping us for the goods and the bads … He knows when coach (Izzo) might be a little more on you, but also, when to do and what to say and how to handle things. So, he helps us a lot.”
One of those highs came in the 2023 NCAA Tournament, when a sophomore Akins delivered one of his best performances on the biggest stage. In MSU’s Sweet 16 overtime loss to Kansas State, he poured in 16 points on 4-for-5 shooting from deep and held his own after switching onto Markquis Nowell, who fnished with an NCAA Tournament record 19 assists.
That remains the furthest Akins has been in March Madness. But as MSU’s only four-year player, the experience forged him into a leader for a team that had to grow into itself.
“He’s our guy, and he’s been through the most,” junior forward Jaxon Kohler said on Feb. 28. “And he’s found his way on how to deal with games, how to deal with coaches, how to deal with teammates. He’s been through all that. Him being that guy and also supporting the underclassmen … we want to make sure that we make it easier for him. He’s been such a great leader and a great teammate.”
It’s win-or-go-home season. Akins’ time in an MSU uniform is winding down, but his legacy is set in stone. He stayed. And because of him, MSU is back to its championship standard.
Michigan State senior guard Jaden Akins (3) and his mother watch a video on the scoreboard at the Breslin Center on March 9, 2025.
Photo by Matthew Williams.
Michigan State senior guard Jaden Akins (3) runs out of the tunnel moments before a game at the Breslin Center on March 9, 2025. Photo by Matthew Williams.
FIVE MSU VICTORIES
THAT DEFINE IZZO’S JOURNEY TO BIG TEN WINS RECORD
FEB. 21, 1999 MSU 56, Wisconsin 51
The 1998-99 season was a turning point for the Spartans as they realized their potential under Izzo. They lost just one game in conference play en route to the Big Ten regular season and tournament championships, then the Final Four, where they narrowly lost to a 36-1 Duke team. This game earned Izzo his frst outright conference title after MSU and Wisconsin shared it the prior season, his second of four straight Big Ten Championships from 1997-2001.
MSU went 0-for-4 from beyond the arc against Dick Bennett’s stalwart defense and still came away with a 56-51 win at Breslin Center. It would be another nine years before the Spartans went without a made three in a game.
JAN. 4, 1996
MSU 65, Indiana 60
Izzo’s frst Big Ten game pitted him against the very coach whose record he surpassed Saturday.
Knight’s Hoosiers, a perennial Big Ten title contender, visited Breslin Center to face an unranked MSU team still searching for its identity under its frst-year head coach. Indiana had won at least 18 games for 18 consecutive seasons and was coming off its 10th straight NCAA Tournament appearance.
However, the Spartans — led by forward Quinton Brooks’ 22 points — played the brand of physical, hard-nosed defense that would soon become Izzo’s trademark. MSU led 33-27 at halftime and made necessary plays late to secure Izzo’s frst Big Ten victory, 65-60, in the same building where Heathcote won his last.
MSU fnished the season 16-16 and missed the NCAA Tournament. The Hoosiers wound up 19-12 and made the tournament, but their dominance in the conference was fading. It would be Izzo, not Knight, leading the Big Ten’s premier program a few years later.
FEB. 20, 2007 MSU 64, Wisconsin 55
MSU guard Drew Neitzel’s heroics fueled one of Breslin Center’s most memorable victories.
Neitzel caught fre with the Spartans trailing No. 2-ranked Wisconsin 49-45 in the second half, scoring 11 of his 28 total points during a decisive 17-2 MSU run. The Wyoming Park High School product’s 11 straight points produced one of the loudest crowd reactions in Breslin’s history as MSU took a 56-51 lead.
MSU’s upset win exemplifed the atmosphere Izzo built at Breslin, where the crowd’s energy is as vital as the action on the court. The unmistakable impact of Breslin Center and the way the Spartans dug deep in a high-stakes moment make this game a defning moment in Izzo’s legacy.
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo hands the net to junior center Paul Davis after defeating Kentucky and winning a trip to the Final Four. State News file photo.
Former MSU basketball player Drew Neitzel (11) celebrates following a game between MSU and Wisconsin on Feb. 20, 2007. State News archive.
State News archive.
By Thomas Cobb tcobb@statenews.com
Tom Izzo spent three decades leading Michigan State University men’s basketball to eight Final Fours, 10 Big Ten Championships, 26 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and a national title. Now, he stands alone as the winningest coach in Big Ten history.
With MSU’s win over Illinois on Saturday, Izzo passed Indiana basketball legend Bob Knight as the conference’s all-time wins leader, securing his 354th Big Ten victory on the road in a highstakes environment.
Since taking over for Jud Heathcote nearly 30 years ago, Izzo has built a legacy fueled by relentless intensity, loyalty and a stubborn refusal to shy away from challenges — traits that shaped some of the most pivotal moments of his career.
MARCH 17, 2019 MSU 65, Michigan 60
The 2019 Big Ten Tournament fnal was one of the games that encapsulated much of what Izzo’s teams are known for: physical toughness, mental determination and camaraderie.
MSU’s two wins over Michigan during conference play that year were more signifcant for the Spartans’ Big Ten regular season title. Still, MSU had the chance to beat a talented, well-coached Wolverines group for the third time in three weeks.
MSU’s season was marred by injuries, and the game took an emotional turn early when guard Kyle Ahrens, who had been battling a back sprain, suffered an ankle injury that visibly shook his teammates and coaches — one that could have easily led to MSU folding, especially after securing the regular season title. Instead of rolling over, the Spartans fought back against a double-digit defcit. Senior forward Matt McQuaid, MSU’s emotional leader all season, rose to the occasion in Ahrens’ absence. He turned in a storybook performance, scoring 27 points, including seven three-pointers, to keep the Spartans within striking distance and, eventually, push them to victory.
MSU lost in the 2019 Final Four to Texas Tech. Izzo called that team one of the most mentally tough groups in his then-24 years as MSU’s head coach.
JAN. 30, 2024 MSU 81, Michigan 62
Izzo’s 700th career win came in grandiose fashion — at home, against his biggest rival, on his 69th birthday.
Juwan Howard’s tenure at Michigan was crumbling, but MSU’s season hadn’t gone according to plan. The Spartans, ranked No. 4 to start the year, found themselves at 12-8 and far from the elite team they had hoped to be. There was an undeniable pressure building around the team.
The Wolverines, devoid of leading scorer Dug McDaniel for academic reasons, surprised the Izzone by mounting a seven-point lead in the frst half. Nevertheless, MSU junior guard Jaden Akins, now a senior, hit a career-best seven threes and tallied a season-high 23 points to deliver the Spartans a much-needed boost to their morale.
Head coach Tom Izzo and his family celebrate 700 career wins after a victory against University of Michigan at the Breslin Student Events Center on Jan. 30, 2024. State News file photo.
Coach Tom Izzo embraces senior forward Kyle Ahrens after he was injured in the first half of the Big 10 Tournament Championship. The Spartans beat the Wolverines, 65-60, at the United Center on March 17, 2019. State News file photo.
MSU men’s basketball closes regular season with victory over Michigan
TOM IZZO WINS FOURTH BIG TEN COACH OF THE YEAR AS SPARTANS EARN CONFERENCE HONORS
By Lucas Gentilia lgentilia@statenews.com
In his 30th season leading the Spartans, Tom Izzo claimed his fourth Big Ten Coach of the Year award.
Senior Jaden Akins and freshman Jase Richardson earned third-team All-Big Ten honors, while assistant coach Doug Wojick was named Big Ten Assistant Coach of the Year. Richardson also made the All-Freshman team, while Akins secured a spot on the AllDefensive team. It marks Akins’ frst career All-Big Ten selection.
At 70, Izzo is the oldest recipient of the Big Ten Coach of the Year award since its inception in 1974.
Izzo guided the Spartans to a 25-5 record, a Big Ten title and their best season since 2018-19, when they reached the Final Four.
“You don’t win these without your staff and your players, they
win the award,” Izzo said. “We preach to our players all the time, if the team has success, the individuals within the team will have success.”
Akins leads MSU in scoring with 12.9 points per game, shooting 40% from the feld in 26.7 minutes per contest. Richardson, who surged in the second half of the season, ranks second in scoring with 11.6 points per game. A projected top-10 NBA draft pick, Richardson shoots 52% from the feld and leads MSU in three-point percentage at 38.8%.
ESPN’s Joe Lunardi projects MSU as a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament — its highest ranking all season. MSU climbed to No. 7 in Monday’s AP Top 25 poll. MSU will face the winner of Oregon vs. Indiana on Friday at noon in the Big Ten Tournament. The tournament begins Wednesday, March 12, with Oregon and Indiana set to meet Thursday at noon.
State News file photo.
Michigan State senior forward Frankie Fidler (8) shoots a layup at the Breslin Center on March 9, 2025. Photo by Matthew Williams.
Michigan State junior guard Tre Holloman (5) shoots the ball while Michigan freshman guard Justin Pippen (10) tries to defend at the Breslin Center on March 9, 2025.
Photo by Matthew Williams.
Members of the Michigan State men’s basketball team watch a video on the scoreboard following a game at the Breslin Center on March 9, 2025.
Photo by Matthew Williams.
Members of the Michigan State men’s basketball team celebrate as their 2025 Big Ten Champions banner is unveiled at the Breslin Center on March 9, 2025. Photo by Matthew Williams.
JAN ALLEMAN: THE STORY BEHIND THE ‘DANCING JUMBOTRON LADY’ AT MSU MEN’S BASKETBALL GAMES
By PJ Pfeiffer ppfeiffer@statenews.com
Jan Alleman doesn’t know exactly when or how she became famous.
A part of the MSU community since 1970, she has taught and tutored in East Lansing for four decades and attended nearly every men’s basketball game since the early 1970s. More often than not, she’s featured on the jumbotron — standing, smiling, clapping and occasionally mouthing motivational words.
She has become an icon in MSU men’s basketball history, forming a bond with head coach Tom Izzo and the Izzone student section.
But beyond basketball, she’s a highlyregarded educator, a ferce student advocate and a champion of the “Triple A”: academics, athletics and arts.
Janet Alleman-Trumbull, professionally known as Jan Alleman, doesn’t give her age voluntarily, nor break eye contact. At her core, she’s Type A — organized, disciplined and competitive. She attends St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, always carries hand sanitizer and holds herself to the highest standard.
Before her meeting with The State News initially, Alleman came prepared — not with talking points, but with a list. A handwritten
breakdown of what she and Tom Izzo had in common.
At the top, she wrote “electric passion” — the kind that fuels every classroom she’s taught in and every basketball game she’s cheered at.
She jotted down “tough love” and “shape young people’s lives,” because whether it’s coaching from the sidelines or mentoring in the classroom, she holds everyone to a higher standard.
“Can’t stay seated.” Anyone who’s seen her at Breslin Center knows that one’s true.
“Obsessed with perfection.” “Strive for rigor.” “Go the extra mile for players, students.” The non-negotiables of her career.
And at the bottom, she wrote “Bleed green.” No further explanation needed.
It wasn’t just a list. It was a philosophy — her own playbook for life.
EXTRAORDINARY MENTOR
Alleman has always thought outside the box, constantly innovating in how she teaches and engages students. She has countless stories, but one stands out. In one of her classes, she had a nonverbal autistic student. During reading time, he would grunt but never form clear words. Recognizing his creativity, she
introduced hand puppets during reading time. At frst, he used the puppet to try reading. Then, one day, he read aloud — puppet in hand. By the end of the school year, he tossed the puppet aside and read on his own for the frst time. This was completely a byproduct of Alleman’s inclusive and inventive teaching style.
“There wasn’t a dry eye in the class,” Alleman said. “I’m all about modeling what you want in other people.”
Alleman grew up in Iowa, where her hometown basketball team won a state championship. She graduated from Drake University’s teacher education program and earned her PhD from the University of Iowa in 1968. She taught ffth grade for a few years in Iowa, then tried out for an educational television job. The employers said she was “too young, immature and uneducated,” but she knew she could get the job.
A year later, she got the job — and kept it for fve years.
While earning her PhD, she attended conventions to network, leading to connections with MSU professors. She then came to the university, where she stayed for “a really long time.”
Throughout her teaching career, she has
traveled to nearly 35 countries — about 30 for work and the rest for leisure with her late husband, George Trumbull. Africa remains her favorite continent — it changed her life. She noted that in many African countries, people always appear “refreshed, proud and put together.”
She also loves Vietnam for its deep respect for education. While there, she led a project introducing teachers to more engaging learning techniques.
Her goal was to help teachers adopt instructional strategies that engaged students and encouraged collaboration. Her work — both abroad and in Michigan — refects her deep commitment to supporting students. She encourages students to seize every opportunity and embrace the “Triple A”: academics, athletics and arts.
“Every year is a new year for me,” Alleman said. “It’s what you do with it.”
For decades, Alleman has championed the idea of bringing people together by focusing on commonalities rather than differences. She believes this approach “builds relationships” and reveals how people are more alike than different.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
Jan Alleman (left), as a professor, with students from her class at a conference. Photo courtesy of Jan Alleman.
JAN ALLEMAN
Early in her career teaching social studies at MSU, she had little control over her schedule. That meant teaching 30 undergraduates — including Magic Johnson — during men’s basketball games. Her love for basketball didn’t interfere with education, however. Immediately she went to the dean and said she needed three televisions, and eventually she got them.
She struck a deal with her students: if they all showed up, class would start at 5 p.m., they’d work until 7 p.m. and then watch the game together.
The class embraced the idea. By the end of the semester, everyone showed up in green and white, waving pom-poms. No one skipped class and the work quality was phenomenal, Alleman said. Students knew she cared — and they returned that passion.
Rob Ley, a fourth-grade teacher in Michigan, earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees in curriculum and instruction at MSU. A former student of Alleman, he took every class of hers he could.
Ley calls Alleman a mentor, a hero and a fgure on the “Mount Rushmore of teacher education.”
Since graduating from MSU, Ley and Alleman have co-authored a book, remained close friends for 20 years and published multiple academic journals together.
“She’s just incredibly amazing and unlike anything I’d ever experienced at MSU for my undergrad or master’s,” Ley said. “Her passion, her discipline, high expectations, her engagement. She was incredibly invested in everyone’s progress. She deeply cared about my development.”
The book they wrote together is
“Homework Done Right: Powerful Learig in Real-Life Situations,” which aims to rethink how teachers design and assign homework assignments, looking at homework as a real opportunity to connect kids’ school life to their outside, real life.
Alleman instilled in Ley the idea that motivation is key: Why should he care about these students? How can he help them? Alleman’s authenticity shaped him as an educator and Ley sees constant evidence of her impact.
Michigan State superfan Jan Alleman celebrates a Spartan basket against Oregon at the Breslin Center on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025
Photo by Finn Gomez.
“She demands the best out of herself and those she works with,” Ley said. “Discipline is love, and she really brings that to every conversation.”
Alleman is known for expecting the best from her students. Once, on her way to class, she spotted a student driving the opposite way — skipping class. She pulled over, convinced him to get in and took him to class.
Two weeks later, his father called to thank her for caring. Recently, a student from Lansing emailed her on a Friday, saying he’d miss class because his nephew had a hearing. Alleman knew he was “blowing smoke,” and wasn’t doing anything to help his subpar grades. She told him to “fgure it out.”
By Monday, he was in class, working hard — and passed. At semester’s end, his mother met with Alleman, thanking her for putting him back on track.
To Alleman, this is just “tough love.”
Alleman transitioned out of MSU about a decade ago. She called it being “refred” — a word she found funny but MSU hesitated to use in a story about her next steps. She knew it was time when her research partner of 30 years, Jere Brophy, and husband George died within 11 months of each other. Alleman and Grofe never had a fght and Alleman and Trumble had many beautiful memories together.
For the past decade, she has developed student-led family conferences. Before COVID-19, she coached in the Haslett, Lansing, Holt and Mason school districts. After the pandemic, she transitioned to full-time at Mason. Conferences allowed students to bring family members for an hour on the weekends, at night, or any time in between, to share what they learned and how it will impact their future.
“You signed up for this, I’ll accommodate you,” Alleman said. “I go the extra mile for these kids.”
At Mason, she coaches, teaches and builds leaders. She’s there all day, every day, but might skip out early for basketball games. Everyone understands.
Alleman is high-touch, not high-tech. She thrives on personal connections, both in and out of the classroom. Her niece, Dr. Amy Jamison, is her only Facebook friend— she never checks requests and, like Tom Izzo, avoids other social media. As a student advocate, she does whatever it takes to support their progress.
Dr. Jamison started noticing people stopping Alleman around town, asking for pictures. People approached them at dinner, while shopping and most often at Breslin Center. Dr. Jamison recalls students walking past Alleman at the arena, then turning back, exclaiming, “Oh my gosh, that’s the lady!”
Dr. Jamison attended games with Alleman
and Trumbull but began going exclusively with Alleman in the 2010s. After Trumbull passed, she accompanied her to every game. Being at MSU since 2005 as co-director of the Alliance for African Partnership, Jamison has found it easier to attend games with Alleman.
A transfer of passion for basketball occurred when Dr. Jamison was in college after her aunt brought her to a few games. Her parents noticed her newfound love for basketball — all because of Alleman.
“Her passion for the game is contagious,” Dr. Jamison said. “I remember coming home for Christmas one time and my family noticed I had never been this into sports. I caught that passion and enthusiasm from her.”
Alleman’s passion for education was evident throughout Jamison’s childhood. As Alleman traveled to Japan, Kenya and Indonesia for education work, Jamison eagerly awaited her visits home.
Alleman has always championed travel, urging students, teachers and her niece to explore the world. Both Jamison and Ley credit Alleman for inspiring their global curiosity.
“Travel affords such depth and curiosity, and where you are and being able to share it with other people,” Ley said. “Jan and I have shared that: meet new people, try new things.”
Ley has worked in Iceland, India and Japan, to name a few countries. He said that Alleman’s infuence and educational work do not go unnoticed around the world, saying that if you’re in the world of education and you’re in research, “you know who Jan Alleman is” because she’s “that big and important.”
After her time in Vietnam, Alleman joined MSU — and that’s when she bought her frst men’s basketball tickets. She bought season tickets for football and basketball before even making her frst car payment — it was that important.
She has always thought outside the box and worked relentlessly. As a child, she read a book that said, “No one can give you fve reasons why you can’t do something.” That mantra has guided her ever since. In high school, she worked three jobs and picked up double shifts whenever co-workers didn’t show up.
Alleman’s parents eventually sat her down and told her she was working too hard. She said she was “just determined.” One of her jobs was at a Dairy Sweet, where she managed the ice cream counter. She invented new ice cream favors, had friends taste-test them and convinced her boss to add them to the menu.
THE TOM IZZO CONNECTION
Since Tom Izzo became head coach, Alleman has built a strong relationship
with him. As Alleman puts it, she knew Izzo when he made $10,000 — and thought he was rich. Now, in his 30th season, she watches him claim his 11th Big Ten title.
But how they became familiar with each other is uncommon.
Dave Harshman, assistant to Jud Heathcote, gave Alleman scouting reports. She learned the game through those reports — and even created tests for players like Magic Johnson, whom she tutored. First, she quizzed them on the upcoming game. Then, she helped with their academics — social studies,
“I wanted to build relationships with the basketball players, like all people, and wondered how I would do it tutoring these kids when basketball is a very high priority,” Alleman said. “I wanted them to see their life skills improve for whatever work they do in the future.”
Since then, she’s become a basketball staple and stays in touch with Izzo’s children — though she never discusses basketball with his daughter. To Alleman, that’s off-limits — she refuses to use her relationship for basketball talk. She also never asks for favors.
After the 2000 Final Four, Alleman — attending with Trumbull — somehow ended up in an elevator with the team.
For both Alleman and Trumbull, this was a second marriage — and one that almost didn’t happen. A neighbor set them up, despite both swearing off marriage. They had one date before Alleman left for Spain. While abroad, she surprised herself — she wrote Trumbull a postcard. That postcard was just the beginning.
“The relationship turned into a fairytale,” Alleman said. “It was fabulous. My whole life (with him) was fabulous. He was incredibly creative and clever. He was my biggest cheerleader.”
‘THE JUMBOTRON LADY’
Even after Trumbull’s passing, she continued attending games — becoming the Izzone’s unoffcial cheerleader.
She doesn’t seek the jumbotron — she just wants to energize the crowd. Her passion fuels MSU home games, giving the Spartans an extra edge this season. Even Izzo has credited the crowd, saying their energy added a few crucial points when the team needed them most.
“That’s how I’m wired: I’m a cheerleader,” Alleman said. “I’m just naturally up.”
She’s been recognized everywhere — Chicago, airplanes, even the Frandor Shopping Center parking lot. One question she gets asked is, “Are you the one?” What surprises people? Her willingness to stop and chat. Once, a young fan took a picture with her — only for Alleman to realize the girl was reading her book in social studies
class. To her, every encounter is a chance to learn and connect.
“I care deeply about people and learn so much about them,” Alleman said.
Dr. Jamison loves seeing Alleman shine at basketball games, but she hopes people also recognize her impact in education.
“I hope people don’t just see her as this woman dancing on the screen, but see this other side of her to offer to people: her research and work that she’s done,” Dr. Jamison said. “I love that she’s being exposed and her life’s work is on stage, and people can appreciate that.”
For two decades, Ley and Alleman have shared countless conversations, coauthored academic journals and inspired each other’s work. Ley calls Alleman his constant inspiration — brilliant, with a rare gift for recognizing people’s efforts. Ley’s never “been seen or heard” the way he has with Alleman.
“Every single person she interacts with, she sees them as an opportunity to learn from them. She’s always learning, always teaching, always inspiring. It’s so authentic and incredible to be around,” Ley said. “She’s so gifted at looking at the world and fnding these really meaningful opportunities for the kids and teachers. She has an incredible eye for recognizing the good in other people.”
During MSU’s home game against Illinois, she orchestrated a “battle” with Illinois’ Blue Hands — knowing the Izzone would love it. Even in brief encounters, she offers meaningful advice. She understands people — and always wants to help.
Through the years, she’s received help in interesting ways. She never had game-day traditions — and at frst, she barely owned any green clothing. Little by little, Spartan gear started appearing.
One day, at a beauty store, she found a green-and-white scarf with an anonymous note: “This will add to your green wardrobe.” Another time, a scarf-maker called her out of the blue. She’s received many MSU pins and has accumulated little gifts. Now, she rarely attends a game without wearing Spartan green. At games, however, Alleman stays locked in.
“When I’m there, don’t talk to me about anything else,” Alleman said. “Don’t mention bridge or where we’re going to meet.”
For now, Alleman’s focus is on the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis — then, March Madness. Maybe she’ll run into Izzo in an elevator again. And there’s no doubt she’ll be stopped — asked if she’s “that lady” or “the jumbotron woman.”
To most, she is just “that lady” on the jumbotron — cheering, clapping and rallying the Breslin to life. But to the students she’s taught, the educators she’s mentored and the people she’s inspired, Jan Alleman is far more.