PHOTO: Michigan State’s basketball team wears “JF” patches as a tribute to the late Joel Ferguson. Tom Izzo served as the emcee when the school honored Ferugson with a tribute upon his retirement in 2021 from the MSU Board of Trustees. Those in attendance included (L-R) Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Joel Ferguson and Gregory Eaton with Izzo.

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Click here for review and purchase link: THE RIGHT THING TO DO, The True Pioneers of College Football Integration in the 1960s.

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By TOM SHANAHAN

How did Michigan State coach Tom Izzo do it? Basketball analysts on TV have been debating the question all winter.

He took a team unranked in the preseason and guided it to the Big Ten regular-season title by a three- game margin. The season continues in the NCAA Tournament with the Spartans (27-6) seeded No. 2 in a South Regional first-round game against No. 15 seed Bryant (23-11) at 10 p.m. Friday at Rocket Arena, in Cleveland.

Well, there are several reasons – start with sage X’s and O’s and brilliant at team chemistry building. But another answer stares at the TV talking heads in the face every game the Spartans’ take the court.

It’s the “JF” patch the Spartans wear on their jerseys over their right shoulder.

The patch is a tribute to the late Joel Ferguson, who died on October 19, 2024, at age 85. Ferguson was a Michigan State graduate, a successful Lansing millionaire businessman who influenced Earvin “Magic” Johnson’s business career and a long-time MSU Board of Trustees member.

The “JF” patch underscores the program culture Izzo has built in his 30 years as head coach. Recently, Nevada coach Steve Alford, a Big Ten legend from his playing days at Indiana and coaching at Iowa, said Izzo has the best program culture in the country.

Unless I missed it – doubtful since I’m in my comfortable easy chair watching every game televised (in addition to covering the MSU-Ritgers game at Madison Square Garden) – the talking heads, play-by-play guys and analysts have failed to explain the meaning behind the “JF” patch.

PHOTO: Michigan State’s Jase Richardson , with a “JF “patch on his jersey’s right shoulder, confers with Spartans coach Tom Izzo.

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They can learn an interesting answer if they ask Izzo. When Michigan State released the news of Ferguson’s death, its tributes included this one from Izzo:

“Without Joel Ferguson, there would be no Tom Izzo. At a crucial point in my career, when others were ready for a change, Joel stood beside me and encouraged me to believe in myself and stick to the plan. I know he did the same for countless others who’ve positively impacted our great University. Joel always did what he thought was in the best interests of Michigan State, even if it meant being criticized from the outside.

“Although he was a strong Democrat, he had no issue working with Republicans on the Board when it came to advancing Michigan State forward. I will miss the many late-night talks with his scouting reports on our opponents. To say Joel Ferguson was one of a few important mentors and friends would be an understatement.”

“I will always be searching for the next Joel! My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and those who loved him. I will miss Joel and his friendship, but I take solace remembering his incredible impact on Michigan State University.”

On the press release, Izzo’s tribute was listed second – after a combined tribute from President Kevin Guskiewicz, Board of Trustee Chair Dan Kelly and athletic director Alan Haller.

The third tribute – listed after Izzo – was from Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who is a Michigan State graduate.

That’s lofty company and a comment on Izzo’s political clout.

Izzo’s Spartans wearing the “JF” patch is reminiscent of the 2019 when they wore “Gus” patches honoring the former Michigan State basketball coach, Gus Ganakas. Izzo ordered up the patches after Ganakas died at age 92 on January 11, 2019. The Spartans wore the patches through their run to the Final Four.

In 2019, similar to this season, the TV talking heads, play-by-play guys and analysts failed to explain the fascinating story of Ganakas and his relationship to Izzo and Izzo’s predecessor, Jud Heathcote. The trio represented Michigan State’s only head coaches the past 51 years: Ganakas, 1969-76; Heathcote, 1976-1995; and Izzo, 1995-.

More recently, Michigan State wore “5-24” patches in the 2023 season. They honored two former players who died that year, Adriene Payne (2010-14) and Stan Washington (1963-66).

When Ferguson decided in 2020 not to run for re-election to board after serving for 30 years, Izzo served as the emcee for the tribute on October 22, 2021. Magic flew in from Los Angeles for the event. And, of course, Gregory Eaton, Ferguson’s long-time friend and another successful Lansing businessman, attended. Among the video messages were from President Bill Clinton and Rev. Al Sharpton.

Two other Michigan State graduates in attendance were Phil and Tanya Hart of Los Angeles. Tanya also spoke at the tribuen.

Phil and Tanya are executive producers of “Game Changers of the Century,” a documentary in development based on my book, “THE RIGHT THING TO DO, The True Pioneers of College Football Integration in the 1960s.” The documentary explains Michigan State coach Duffy Daugherty’s influence on college integration throughout the nation.

Considering the “Gus” patches were part of a 2019 Final Four run, let’s remember Mark Twain said, “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it does rhyme.”

Another Final Four run with “JF” patches has a nice rhyme to it?

It would celebrate Ferguson’s legacy and Michigan State’s basketball culture Izzo built. The two go hand-in-hand.

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Tom Shanahan is an award-winning sportswriter and frequent contributor to Spartanmag.com in addition to posting on his website. His new book on Michigan State leading college football integration is, “THE RIGHT THING TO DO, The True Pioneers of College Football Integration in the 1960s.” His first book was “RAYE OF LIGHT, Jimmy Raye, Duffy Daugherty, the Integration of College Football and the 1965-66 Michigan State Spartans.”

I invite you to follow me on Twitter @shanny4055

Below are links to click on to purchase my books focused.

My books tell the true story of college football integration in the 1960s and address the myths and fiction that allowed a false narrative surrounding the 1970 USC-Alabama game to usurp the credit from the true pioneers. As I said when I spoke at the National Sports Media Association book festival, no two books provide an accurate portrayal more than RAYE OF LIGHT and THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

I’ll put my facts up against anybody, anytime, anywhere. Watch here.

Click here for my story on the 1962 Rose Bowl and Segregation awarded first place by the Football Writers Association of America. I tell untold stories on Michigan State’s leading role and the true pioneers of college football integration. Click here to read the summary as a first-place story.

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Click here to purchase The Right Thing To Do

THE RIGHT THING TO DO

The True Pioneers of College Football Integration in the 1960s

Foreword by Ruffin McNeill

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Click here to purchase Raye of Light.

RAYE OF LIGHT

Jimmy Raye, Duffy Daugherty, the 1ntegration of College Football and the 1965-66 Michigan State Spartans

Foreword by Tony Dungy

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Click here to purchase my children’s book, Bubba’s Dad, Duffy and College Football’s Underground Railroad

The book for now is only a Kindle version on Amazon. Print and audio platforms available soon.

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