MSU's Izzo calls for action in Flint water crisis

EAST LANSING – Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo and Flint have history, and now he’s asking for action as the city deals with a severe water crisis.

“I know our university is getting involved in that and I had a little reunion (over the weekend) and of course a lot of guys came back from Flint,” Izzo said Monday. “I just feel awful about what’s going on up there. I have no idea on all the circumstances to everything. But I hope some way, some how there’s enough out there that instead of complaining about what’s going on, we can start helping what’s going on. And I know (MSU is) taking some initiatives. I don’t know everything right now but I’m gonna find out a little more. It’s not about our team going up there and handing out water and getting in the media, it’s about a way bigger problem than that.

“And I wish I had privileged information on what’s happening but it is a disappointment to me to think that in this day and age we’re going through something like this. So for all the guys I’ve had from up there, a lot of them are still living there, I have a real feeling for what they’re going through. I just hope we all band together. A lot of times we’re helping other countries, and it seems like we’ve got somebody down the road that needs our help.”

At least six former MSU players from Flint were in town over the weekend to watch MSU’s win over Maryland and attend a post-game party at Izzo’s house – Mateen Cleaves, Morris Peterson, Antonio Smith, Marquise Gray, Tim Bograkos and Tom Herzog. Izzo said he “told those guys they should be involved.”

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“I think we are spending too much time placing blame,” Izzo said, “and not enough time on trying to get the results on how we can fix it. … I think those guys should find a way to get everybody back pushing and fighting in the right direction to help whatever needs to be helped to get done.”