EAST LANSING, MI — July 3, 2025 — In a poignant and powerful tribute that is already resonating throughout the college basketball community, Michigan State University has announced it will posthumously honor legendary coach Jud Heathcote with a new, permanent award bearing his name. The award will celebrate his lifelong commitment to the game of basketball, leadership in education, and his transformative impact on the Spartan program and student-athletes across generations.
The “Jud Heathcote Legacy Award” will be presented annually to a coach, player, or leader who exemplifies the core values Heathcote championed — integrity, excellence, mentorship, and humility. The inaugural ceremony is scheduled to take place during the 2025-26 Spartan basketball season, with a special video tribute and family presentation at Breslin Center.
A Coach Who Changed Everything
Heathcote, who passed away in 2017 at the age of 90, coached Michigan State from 1976 to 1995. In that time, he became a titan of the game and the architect of MSU’s national reputation. His most defining moment came in 1979, when he led a young Magic Johnson and the Spartans to a historic NCAA Championship victory over Larry Bird’s Indiana State — a game that not only secured a title but also elevated college basketball to new national heights.
Heathcote finished his career with 340 wins, 9 NCAA Tournament appearances, and a legacy that endures through his protégés — most notably, Tom Izzo, whom he mentored and handpicked as his successor.
Izzo Reflects on His Mentor
“This award is about more than basketball,” said Izzo, visibly emotional at the announcement. “Coach Heathcote taught me — and all of us — how to be better people. He cared about your character, your future, and the way you treated others. That’s the legacy we honor.”
A Spartan Legend, Forever Remembered
The Jud Heathcote Legacy Award ensures that future generations will continue to learn from and be inspired by one of the sport’s most revered figures. His voice may be gone, but his values will echo through every Spartan locker room, every game, and every life touched by his leadership.
Jud Heathcote didn’t just coach champions — he helped shape them. 💚🏀
