East Lansing, MI – July 2, 2025 — In a move that once again proves his heart is even bigger than his playbook, Tom Izzo, legendary head coach of the Michigan State Spartans men’s basketball team, has invested $5.6 million of his personal fortune to convert a historic home in Michigan into a state-of-the-art shelter for homeless youth.
The stunning announcement was made during a surprise press event outside the newly acquired property near Lansing, where Izzo stood alongside community leaders, former players, and local advocates.
“Basketball gave me a platform, but this — this is what it’s really all about,” Izzo said, fighting back emotion. “No young person should have to wonder where they’ll sleep tonight. This home will be a sanctuary — a place to reset, recover, and restart.”
The property, once an abandoned mansion now undergoing full renovation, will be transformed into a 24/7 youth housing and support center, offering emergency shelter, counseling, academic assistance, career mentoring, and mental health services. The facility will be named “The Spartan Haven Home,” honoring both the team that built Izzo’s name and the community he’s always called family.
Why now?
Sources close to Izzo say the decision was spurred by a recent encounter with a former student-athlete who had struggled with housing insecurity after leaving college. Combined with rising homelessness rates across Michigan — especially among teens and young adults — Izzo felt a call to act.
“Coach always said, ‘What you do off the court is who you are,’” said MSU alum Draymond Green. “This is who he is — a fighter for those who don’t have a voice.”
Community impact
The shelter is projected to house over 60 youth per year, providing a bridge between crisis and stability. Partnerships with Michigan State social work students, local hospitals, and job centers will make the shelter one of the most holistic care facilities in the Midwest.
City officials praised Izzo’s gift as “transformational,” while Spartan Nation celebrated the move as yet another reason why the Hall of Famer remains a hero both in and beyond sports.
