Pat Fitzgerald at Michigan State football: Our first impressions
LSJ’s Graham Couch and Free Press’ Chris Solari and Shawn Windsor react after Pat Fitzgerald’s introductory press conference with the Spartans, Dec. 2, 2025.
EAST LANSING − Michigan State’s athletic department launched a massive $1 billion capital campaign earlier this week. It didn’t take long for the “For Sparta” fundraising campaign to meet the halfway point.
The school announced a $401 million donation from Acrisure CEO Greg Williams and his wife Dawn, on Friday, Dec. 5.
The donation dwarfs the previous record of $32 million, given by former MSU basketball player and United Wholesale Mortgage CEO Mat Ishbia in 2021 and is the largest single donation in school history.
“The commitment that Greg and Dawn are making represents an extraordinary act of generosity and belief in Michigan State University’s future, “MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz said in a statement.
Of the total $401 million commitment, $290 million will go to Spartan Athletics as part of the new “For Sparta” initiative that MSU athletics announced on Tuesday.
“Words cannot express my gratitude for Dawn and Greg,” said MSU men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo. “They are truly difference makers whose support will benefit Spartans competing at elite levels for years and years to come.”
Then, the Williamses are investing $100 million into “Spartan Ventures,” a newly created non-profit, tax-exempt corporation “designed to advance, promote and support MSU’s department of athletics.” The school announced the Board of Trustees gave approval for Spartan Ventures during its meeting on Oct. 31.
“In today’s evolving college athletics landscape, this is a monumental day in the history of Michigan State Athletics,” said MSU athletic director J Batt in a statement. “Greg and Dawn’s commitment will provide the resources required for new levels of competitive excellence and student-athlete opportunities, while charting a new path for the Spartan Athletics enterprise. We’re eternally grateful for their incredible generosity, dynamic leadership and trust. Their support and partnership of our shared vision of success will inspire others and drive MSU Athletics to reach its goal of being a Top 10 athletics department once again.”
The Williamses live in East Lansing and have become major benefactors to MSU as well as frequent visitors to Spartan football and basketball games. A 10 a.m. Friday announcement was scheduled on the floor at Breslin Center to unveil the donation.
Acrisure, a Grand Rapids-based financial tech firm, sponsors the Spartans’ basketball court at Breslin Center as well as owns the naming rights to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ NFL stadium as well as Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, California.
This is a breaking story and will be updated.
