For over two decades, Tom Izzo has been a titan in college basketball, crafting a legacy filled with Final Four runs, Big Ten championships, and countless moments of grit and glory. But ask the Michigan State coaching legend what he’s proudest of, and he won’t point to the banners hanging in the Breslin Center. Instead, he’ll talk about two names spoken not just with pride, but with love: Raquel “Rocky” Izzo McDonald and Steven Mateen Izzo.
Known for his intense sideline presence and unwavering loyalty to his players, Tom Izzo brought those same values home. Rocky and Steven, though born into the spotlight of Spartan basketball, were raised with humility, discipline, and heart.
Raquel, affectionately known as “Rocky,” has built a life rooted in compassion and leadership. Now married and going by Raquel Izzo McDonald, she has become a fierce advocate for youth mentorship and women’s empowerment. A Michigan State alumna herself, Rocky earned her degree in communications and has dedicated much of her career to nonprofit work. “My dad taught me that success is about who you lift up, not how high you climb,” Rocky says. “That’s how I try to live every day.”
Steven Mateen Izzo, Tom’s youngest, has basketball in his blood. After walking on to the MSU men’s basketball team and earning the admiration of fans for his hustle and heart, Steven transitioned into a coaching support role, continuing to serve the game from the sidelines like his father. Though he never sought to live in Tom’s shadow, Steven carries the Izzo name with pride — and with a relentless work ethic that echoes his father’s famed “war drill” practices.
Together, Rocky and Steven represent the legacy Tom Izzo never needed a scoreboard to validate. His family’s story is one of perseverance, empathy, and unbreakable bonds.
“Raising Rocky and Steven — that’s my championship,” Tom said in a recent interview. “They’re everything I believe in.”
As Tom Izzo nears the twilight of his Hall of Fame career, his legacy will forever be etched in Spartan lore. But more enduring than trophies or titles is the impact he’s made off the court — in the lives of his children, who carry forward his greatest lessons: lead with heart, fight with honor, and lift others along the way.
