In desperate need of a calming voice, Tom Izzo spoke at the Michigan State vigil on Wednesday night and did an amazing job.
Tragic. Senseless. Devastating. Horrific. Traumatizing. Those were all words used to describe Monday’s campus shooting and those are what have led to a grieving process that will surely last a while as Michigan State tries to bounce back as a community.
No words can help the situation, they can only ease the pain.
It’s going to take quite a bit of time to get over what transpired in East Lansing on Monday night and even then, nothing will ever be the same.
Students who were on campus will always have that heavy feeling when walking around campus, especially at night, or going to the cafeteria, or library. Nothing will ever be as carefree as it once was at Michigan State and this grieving process will take a while.
But some calm was brought to the process on Wednesday night during the vigil at Michigan State as Tom Izzo spoke to the crowd of thousands who showed up.
And his words were darn near perfect.
In need of a calming voice through the chaos that has been this week, Izzo came through in a big way. He showed, once again, why he is the voice of Michigan State and the leader that we all need through trying times. Izzo is Michigan State.
And we often forget that his ties to this situation are stronger not only because he is the most prominent figure from the athletic department, but he also has a son who attends school and plays on his team. He had to worry about his son’s safety along with the wellbeing of the rest of his student-athletes on Monday night. Talk about heart-wrenching.
Like always, Izzo comes through when Michigan State needs him the most.
There’s a reason why he’s always looked up to by students, faculty, alumni, and former players. He just has a way about him that can calm people in even the most stressful situations.
What he did on Wednesday was much-needed and the healing process is well underway.