What They're Saying About Suzy Merchant
4/30/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
April 30, 2007
Michigan State Men's Basketball Coach Tom Izzo:
"Suzy Merchant is a great fit for Michigan State University. She has a passion to lead the Spartan women's program to the next level. During the time I got to spend with her, I was impressed with her genuine enthusiasm for this opportunity. If you look at her career, there are a lot of similarities between her and I. Like me, she has a Division II background, but even more importantly she is from the state of Michigan, understands the basketball culture, and takes great pride in being the head coach at Michigan State."
Oakland University Men's Basketball Coach Greg Kampe:
"Suzy Merchant is someone, even from the first day, that had stardom written all over her. She is very personable. You could tell she knew how to connect with the ladies and how to persuade them on the recruiting trail. What I have told people about her, whenever anyone has asked, from athletic directors to other coaches, is that no one will outwork her. She really, really understands the game from a technical standpoint. She can take a game tape and pinpoint exactly what needs to be done, every time. You put those three things together: her personality, her work ethic and her basketball knowledge, and you knew she was going to be star."
WNBA's San Antonio SilverStars Head Coach Dan Hughes:
"I applaud Michigan State for hiring Suzy. I think they recognize a coach that has established the credentials necessary to be successful in a program like MSU that brings with it expectations. Suzy understands building programs, but she also understands continuation of programs. She built the Eastern Michigan program up, but she also continued to work to keep it an elite program. I think that is an important property in the situation she inherits. She will be a tireless recruiter. She will continue the fine tradition already in place at Michigan State."
Maryland Women's Basketball Coach Brenda Frese:
"Michigan State made an excellent hire in Suzy Merchant. She has everything it takes to be successful. She is a rising star in the profession."
Eastern Michigan Athletics Director Dr. Derrick Gragg:
"Suzy Merchant has been a tremendous ambassador for Eastern Michigan University and the women's basketball team for the past nine years. We will miss her greatly. I want to thank Suzy for what she has done for the Eastern Michigan athletic program and we wish Suzy the best at Michigan State. She has represented this institution with integrity, passion and commitment to both athletic and academic achievement. I know that she will do an excellent job in the Big Ten Conference."
Detroit Free Press Sports Writer Mick McCabe:
"I've known Suzy since she was 15 years old. My initial impression was that here was a little girl who loved being around basketball. I've seen her go from being an all-state basketball player to a standout college player and it was evident that basketball was her life's passion. She made a smooth transition from playing to coaching and her success in turning losing programs into winning programs was no surprise. She is a brilliant tactician, but there are a lot of coaches who are good at Xs and Os. Suzy is special because of the relationships she builds with her players. She is the perfect person to continue to build the MSU program."
Central Michigan Senior Associate Athletics Director Marcy Weston:
"I have known Suzy since she was an undergraduate at CMU and have always been impressed with her success everywhere she went as a coach or a player. Michigan State is getting one of the best young coaches in the nation. Suzy has all the tools an administrator is looking for in a head coach. She is a fantastic recruiter who will continue to bring in the state's top talent to MSU. She also has a great knowledge of the game and is a solid tactician. Suzy has always demonstrated a great passion for the game and a desire to excel during her time as a coach, and those two things will make her successful at Michigan State."
Merchant's High School Coach and longtime friend Jim Anderson: "Suzie fits perfectly here because of family and she will be very dedicated to this basketball family. She will have solid relationships with her players and that's the key. She had it at Eastern Michigan and it will continue here. I think that's why she has been very successful because she has quality relationships with people."