Michigan State and Tennessee Charity Exhibition Game to Benefit Maui Wildfire Relief Efforts
8/30/2023 10:55:00 AM | Men's Basketball
East Lansing, Mich. – Michigan State's men's basketball team will host Tennessee in a charity exhibition game on Sunday, Oct. 29 at the Breslin Center.
All proceeds from the game will be donated to the Hawai'i Community Foundation Maui Strong Fund, providing financial resources to the relief efforts from the devastating Maui wildfires.
"The Maui Invitational and the city of Lahaina have always held a special place in my heart," Michigan State Head Coach Tom Izzo said. "The images we've all seen and the stories we've heard following the wildfires have touched so many of us in the college basketball world and I know that our thoughts and prayers are with all of those who have been affected.
"We've had plans to scrimmage Rick's team since last Fall and we spoke about what we could do to help and honor the city of Lahaina and the people there who are in need. I'm hopeful that our Spartan family will pack the Breslin Center for what will be a great game, but will have an even greater mission, and that's to help the Lahaina community as much as we can."
The teams scrimmaged last year at Tennessee in the preseason and Izzo and Barnes have a long-standing relationship.
"First, I appreciate coach Izzo and Michigan State for hosting this game, which will benefit a community that means so much to the world of college basketball," Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes said. "While we certainly need to continue to pray for the families in Maui who have been impacted, this benefit game will enable us to offer tangible support toward the restoration of Maui and its beautiful spirit."
Michigan State has played in the Maui Invitational five times, beginning in 1991 under legendary coach Jud Heathcote when the Spartans won the tournament.
Izzo made his head coaching debut for the Spartans during MSU's second visit, in 1995, and picked up his first collegiate win, beating Chaminade, 69-66, to start his 28-year coaching career. The Spartans made subsequent visits in 2005, 2010 and 2019 and are slated to play in Maui in 2024.
"Our program at Michigan State has had the opportunity to visit the island five different times and I'll never forget the feelings I had when we arrived and when I walked on to the floor at the Lahaina Civic Center to start my career," Izzo said. "It's one of the most special events in college basketball and it's because of the people who put it on and the city that embraces and welcomes all of us."
Further details, including ticket information, game time and broadcast information, will be announced at a later date.
All proceeds from the game will be donated to the Hawai'i Community Foundation Maui Strong Fund, providing financial resources to the relief efforts from the devastating Maui wildfires.
"The Maui Invitational and the city of Lahaina have always held a special place in my heart," Michigan State Head Coach Tom Izzo said. "The images we've all seen and the stories we've heard following the wildfires have touched so many of us in the college basketball world and I know that our thoughts and prayers are with all of those who have been affected.
"We've had plans to scrimmage Rick's team since last Fall and we spoke about what we could do to help and honor the city of Lahaina and the people there who are in need. I'm hopeful that our Spartan family will pack the Breslin Center for what will be a great game, but will have an even greater mission, and that's to help the Lahaina community as much as we can."
The teams scrimmaged last year at Tennessee in the preseason and Izzo and Barnes have a long-standing relationship.
"First, I appreciate coach Izzo and Michigan State for hosting this game, which will benefit a community that means so much to the world of college basketball," Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes said. "While we certainly need to continue to pray for the families in Maui who have been impacted, this benefit game will enable us to offer tangible support toward the restoration of Maui and its beautiful spirit."
Michigan State has played in the Maui Invitational five times, beginning in 1991 under legendary coach Jud Heathcote when the Spartans won the tournament.
Izzo made his head coaching debut for the Spartans during MSU's second visit, in 1995, and picked up his first collegiate win, beating Chaminade, 69-66, to start his 28-year coaching career. The Spartans made subsequent visits in 2005, 2010 and 2019 and are slated to play in Maui in 2024.
"Our program at Michigan State has had the opportunity to visit the island five different times and I'll never forget the feelings I had when we arrived and when I walked on to the floor at the Lahaina Civic Center to start my career," Izzo said. "It's one of the most special events in college basketball and it's because of the people who put it on and the city that embraces and welcomes all of us."
Further details, including ticket information, game time and broadcast information, will be announced at a later date.
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