{"id":398,"date":"2025-08-18T13:39:56","date_gmt":"2025-08-18T13:39:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/?p=398"},"modified":"2025-09-11T06:01:36","modified_gmt":"2025-09-11T06:01:36","slug":"lupe-marinez-izzo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/lupe-marinez-izzo\/","title":{"rendered":"Lupe Marinez Izzo: The Woman Behind Michigan State&#8217;s Basketball Legacy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>While<strong> Tom Izzo<\/strong> is widely recognized for his legendary coaching career at<strong> Michigan State University<\/strong>, his wife, <strong>Lupe Marinez Izzo<\/strong>, has also played a significant role in shaping the Izzo family\u2019s legacy through her business, philanthropy, and community leadership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lupe Marinez Izzo\u2019s life story highlights both independent achievements and her lasting contributions to the Michigan State community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Born into a <strong>Mexican-American <\/strong>family in Texas, she became a successful entrepreneur, later marrying Tom Izzo in 1992. Together, they have balanced family life, business success, and philanthropy, building a legacy that extends beyond basketball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/lupe-marinez-izzo\/#Fast_Facts_About_Lupe_Marinez_Izzo\" >Fast Facts About Lupe Marinez Izzo<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/lupe-marinez-izzo\/#Lupe_Marinez_Izzo_Early_Life_and_Family_Heritage\" >Lupe Marinez Izzo Early Life and Family Heritage<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/lupe-marinez-izzo\/#Education_and_Entrepreneurial_Success\" >Education and Entrepreneurial Success<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/lupe-marinez-izzo\/#Lupe_Marinez_Izzo_Meeting_Tom_Izzo\" >Lupe Marinez Izzo Meeting Tom Izzo<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/lupe-marinez-izzo\/#Lupe_Marinez_Izzo_Marriage_and_Family_Life\" >Lupe Marinez Izzo Marriage and Family Life<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/lupe-marinez-izzo\/#Business_Ventures_and_Professional_Achievements\" >Business Ventures and Professional Achievements<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/lupe-marinez-izzo\/#Philanthropic_Leadership_and_Community_Impact\" >Philanthropic Leadership and Community Impact<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/lupe-marinez-izzo\/#Joint_Philanthropic_Efforts_with_Tom_A_Power_Couple_for_Good\" >Joint Philanthropic Efforts with Tom: A Power Couple for Good<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/lupe-marinez-izzo\/#The_Izzo_Legacy_Family_Fund\" >The Izzo Legacy Family Fund<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/lupe-marinez-izzo\/#Mission_and_Purpose_Building_Something_Bigger\" >Mission and Purpose: Building Something Bigger<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/lupe-marinez-izzo\/#Lupe_Marinez_Personal_Interests_and_Lifestyle\" >Lupe Marinez Personal Interests and Lifestyle<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/lupe-marinez-izzo\/#Grandmotherhood_A_New_Chapter_as_%E2%80%9CGiGi%E2%80%9D\" >Grandmotherhood: A New Chapter as &#8220;GiGi&#8221;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/lupe-marinez-izzo\/#Lupe_Izzo_Current_Role_and_Future_Impact_Still_Leading_at_71\" >Lupe Izzo Current Role and Future Impact: Still Leading at 71<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/lupe-marinez-izzo\/#FAQs_About_Lupe_Marinez_Izzo\" >FAQ\u2019s About Lupe Marinez Izzo<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/lupe-marinez-izzo\/#How_did_Lupe_Marinez_Izzo_meet_Tom_Izzo\" >How did Lupe Marinez Izzo meet Tom Izzo?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/lupe-marinez-izzo\/#What_business_did_Lupe_own_before_marrying_Tom\" >What business did Lupe own before marrying Tom?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/lupe-marinez-izzo\/#How_many_children_do_Tom_and_Lupe_have\" >How many children do Tom and Lupe have?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/lupe-marinez-izzo\/#What_is_the_Izzo_Legacy_Family_Fund\" >What is the Izzo Legacy Family Fund?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/lupe-marinez-izzo\/#What_awards_has_Lupe_received\" >What awards has Lupe received?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/lupe-marinez-izzo\/#Where_does_Lupe_like_to_vacation\" >Where does Lupe like to vacation?&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/lupe-marinez-izzo\/#Whats_Lupes_cultural_background\" >What&#8217;s Lupe&#8217;s cultural background?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/lupe-marinez-izzo\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Fast_Facts_About_Lupe_Marinez_Izzo\"><\/span><strong>Fast Facts About Lupe Marinez Izzo<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Bio\/Wiki<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Details<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Full Name<\/strong><\/td><td>Lupe Marinez Izzo<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Birth Date<\/strong><\/td><td>December 1953<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Age<\/strong><\/td><td>71 years old (as of 2025)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Birthplace<\/strong><\/td><td>Texas, USA<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Current Residence<\/strong><\/td><td>East Lansing, Michigan<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Ethnicity<\/strong><\/td><td>Mexican-American<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Education<\/strong><\/td><td>Michigan State University<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Spouse<\/strong><\/td><td>Tom Izzo (married 1992)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Children<\/strong><\/td><td>Raquel Izzo McDonald (b. 1994)<br>Steven Mateen Izzo (b. 2000, adopted)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Grandchildren<\/strong><\/td><td>Isabelle Frances-Izzo McDonald (b. 2023)<br>Second grandchild expected September 2025<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Nickname as Grandmother<\/strong><\/td><td>&#8220;GiGi&#8221;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Parents<\/strong><\/td><td>Father: Efrain Marinez (civil rights activist)<br>Mother: Not publicly disclosed<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Siblings<\/strong><\/td><td>10 (7 brothers, 3 sisters)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Business Career<\/strong><\/td><td>Owner\/Operator, Rain Soft Water Treatment Systems Dealership (20+ years)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Major Award<\/strong><\/td><td>1990 Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award (Michigan)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Current Positions<\/strong><\/td><td>Founder &amp; President, The Izzo Legacy Family Fund&nbsp;Board member, multiple charitable organizations<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Notable Donations<\/strong><\/td><td>$1 million gift to Michigan State University (with Tom)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Signature Event<\/strong><\/td><td>Izzo Legacy 5K Run\/Walk\/Roll (annual)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lupe_Marinez_Izzo_Early_Life_and_Family_Heritage\"><\/span><strong>Lupe Marinez Izzo Early Life and Family Heritage<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Born in <strong>Texas in December 1953<\/strong>, <strong>Lupe Marinez Izzo<\/strong> wasn&#8217;t your typical future coach&#8217;s wife. She came from a family of warriors \u2013 literally one of eleven children with seven brothers and three sisters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Her dad, <strong>Efrain Marinez<\/strong>, was friends with civil rights icon <strong>Cesar Chavez<\/strong> and spent his life fighting for farm workers&#8217; rights. Can you imagine growing up in a house where standing up for what&#8217;s right wasn&#8217;t just encouraged \u2013 it was expected?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Marinez family home was like a revolving door for families seeking better opportunities in <strong>Michigan<\/strong>. This early exposure to helping others would shape everything <a href=\"https:\/\/lansingrotary.org\/stories\/biography-for-lupe-marinez-izzo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><strong>Lupe<\/strong> did later in life<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Education_and_Entrepreneurial_Success\"><\/span><strong>Education and Entrepreneurial Success<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s where <strong>Lupe&#8217;s<\/strong> story gets really interesting. While attending <a href=\"https:\/\/msu.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><strong>Michigan State University<\/strong><\/a>, she wasn&#8217;t just another college student dreaming about the future \u2013 she was busy creating it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Lupe<\/strong> owned and operated the <strong>Rain Soft Water Treatment Systems Dealership of Lansing<\/strong> for over 20 years. Think about it \u2013 this was when female business owners were rare, and she was absolutely crushing it in a male-dominated industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/college-basketball\/steven-izzo-parents\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">In 1990, she earned<\/a> the <strong>Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award<\/strong> in the <strong>State of Michigan<\/strong>. That recognition wasn&#8217;t just a pat on the back \u2013 it was proof she had serious business chops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lupe_Marinez_Izzo_Meeting_Tom_Izzo\"><\/span><strong>Lupe Marinez Izzo Meeting Tom Izzo<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Okay, this is my favorite part of their story. <strong>Lupe<\/strong> met <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tom_Izzo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><strong>Tom Izzo<\/strong><\/a> through her sister-in-law, who worked as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.freep.com\/story\/sports\/college\/michigan-state\/spartans\/2017\/09\/03\/tom-izzo-michigan-state-jud-heathcote\/621348001\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><strong>Jud Heathcote&#8217;s<\/strong> secretary<\/a> at the basketball office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When Tom first called her while still dating someone else, she responded by asking him to call back when he was single \u2014 showing her straightforward nature: &#8220;Why don&#8217;t you call me sometime when you don&#8217;t have a girlfriend?&#8221; Then she hung up on him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Can you imagine? This woman literally rejected a future coaching legend because she knew her worth. The turning point came when <strong>Tom<\/strong> gave <strong>Lupe<\/strong> tickets to the <strong>Big Ten championship game<\/strong> and told her to bring a date. This incredible story was detailed in<a href=\"https:\/\/grahambensinger.com\/2022\/12\/07\/tom-izzo\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"> Tom Izzo&#8217;s interview with Graham Bensinger<\/a>, where both Tom and Lupe shared intimate details about their relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>You may like it: <a href=\"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/marvena-l-thomas\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Marvena L. Thomas: From Shawn Kemp Ex-Wife to Seattle\u2019s Basketball Champion<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lupe_Marinez_Izzo_Marriage_and_Family_Life\"><\/span><strong>Lupe Marinez Izzo Marriage and Family Life<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"538\" src=\"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/lupe-marinez-izzo-marriage-and-family-life.jpg\" alt=\"Lupe Marinez Izzo Marriage and Family Life\" class=\"wp-image-403\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/lupe-marinez-izzo-marriage-and-family-life.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/lupe-marinez-izzo-marriage-and-family-life-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/lupe-marinez-izzo-marriage-and-family-life-768x404.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Lupe with his entire family celebrating his daughter Raquel Izzo&#8217;s engagement to Matthew. Image source: Instagram profile <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/raquelizzo15\/#\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">@raquelizzo15<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Tom and Lupe married in 1992<\/strong>, right as Tom&#8217;s coaching career was taking off. Their family includes<a href=\"https:\/\/people.com\/all-about-tom-izzo-kids-8757770\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"> two incredible children<\/a>: <strong>Raquel Izzo<\/strong> (born August 1994) and <strong>Steven Mateen Izzo<\/strong> (born June 16, 2000).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/fanbuzz.com\/college-football\/big-ten\/steven-izzo\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><strong>Steven<\/strong> was adopted<\/a> when he was just four days old, and his middle name honors <strong>Mateen Cleaves<\/strong>, his sports hero. <strong>Steven<\/strong> went on to play as a walk-on for his father&#8217;s team from 2019 to 2024. This reflected the family\u2019s strong connection to Michigan State basketball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Raquel<\/strong> got engaged to <strong>Matthew McDonald<\/strong> at <strong>Walt Disney World<\/strong> in 2019. They married on July 25, 2020, with their celebration at <strong>MSU&#8217;s Breslin Student Events Center<\/strong>, and welcomed daughter <strong>Isabelle Frances-Izzo McDonald<\/strong> on July 22, 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Business_Ventures_and_Professional_Achievements\"><\/span><strong>Business Ventures and Professional Achievements<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Let me tell you something that might surprise you \u2013 <strong>Lupe<\/strong> wasn&#8217;t just successful; she was groundbreaking. Running that <strong>Rain Soft Water Treatment Systems Dealership<\/strong> wasn&#8217;t a side hustle; it was her main gig for two decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She continued her business involvement throughout her marriage, including being present at the ribbon cutting for <strong>Haslett Hot Yoga<\/strong> in <strong>Haslett, Michigan<\/strong> in 2016. This woman has always been about supporting other entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What I love most is how she maintained her independence while supporting Tom&#8217;s career. She maintained her business and community roles while also supporting her husband\u2019s career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Philanthropic_Leadership_and_Community_Impact\"><\/span><strong>Philanthropic Leadership and Community Impact<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Lupe&#8217;s<\/strong> community involvement is absolutely mind-blowing. She served as chairperson of the <strong>2005-2006 Tri County United Way Campaign<\/strong> and sits on boards for multiple charities including <strong>Cristo Ray Community Center<\/strong>, <strong>The Greater Lansing Food Bank<\/strong>, and <strong>MSU Food Bank<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Her <a href=\"https:\/\/www.essentiallysports.com\/ncaa-college-basketball-news-who-is-tom-izzo-s-wife-lupe-marinez-izzo-meet-michigan-state-hc-s-life-partner\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">current work extends<\/a> to <strong>The Lansing Promise<\/strong> and <strong>Holy Cross Services<\/strong>. Right now, she&#8217;s leading <strong>Coaches Vs Cancer<\/strong>, a national campaign with the <strong>American Cancer Society<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When <strong>Lupe<\/strong> commits to something, she goes all in \u2013 no half measures. Her approach isn&#8217;t just about showing up; she takes leadership roles that create real change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Joint_Philanthropic_Efforts_with_Tom_A_Power_Couple_for_Good\"><\/span><strong>Joint Philanthropic Efforts with Tom: A Power Couple for Good<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Together, <strong>Tom and Lupe<\/strong> have raised funds for <a href=\"https:\/\/stvincentchildrenshome.org.za\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><strong>St. Vincent Home for Children<\/strong> <\/a>and the <strong>Coaches for Kids campaign<\/strong>, which built the pediatric emergency room at <strong>Sparrow Hospital<\/strong>. They&#8217;ve also supported their <strong>Regional Cancer Center<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Their approach to giving isn&#8217;t just about writing checks \u2013 they get personally involved. The couple donated a <strong>$1 million gift to Michigan State University<\/strong>, with most going to the Spartan football program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When <strong>Lupe<\/strong> and <strong>Tom<\/strong> team up for a cause, they use their platform to create lasting change in their community rather than just making token appearances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Izzo_Legacy_Family_Fund\"><\/span><strong>The Izzo Legacy Family Fund<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"538\" src=\"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/lupe-marinez-izzo-the-izzo-legacy-family-fund.jpg\" alt=\"Lupe Marinez Izzo: The Izzo Legacy Family Fund\" class=\"wp-image-405\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/lupe-marinez-izzo-the-izzo-legacy-family-fund.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/lupe-marinez-izzo-the-izzo-legacy-family-fund-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/lupe-marinez-izzo-the-izzo-legacy-family-fund-768x404.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Lupe Izzo with her beloved husband Tom Izzo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2019, <strong>Lupe<\/strong> established <strong>The Izzo Legacy Family Fund<\/strong> when campus leadership was in constant flux. Instead of complaining about problems, she decided to become part of the solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.izzolegacy.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">foundation&#8217;s mission<\/a> speaks directly to <strong>Lupe&#8217;s<\/strong> values: &#8220;To enrich communities in <strong>Michigan<\/strong> through meaningful charitable support and engagement.&#8221; She&#8217;s determined to ensure their legacy creates lasting impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Their signature event, the <strong>Izzo Legacy 5K Run\/Walk\/Roll<\/strong> in partnership with <strong>Playmakers<\/strong>, will celebrate its sixth anniversary on <strong>April 27, 2025<\/strong>. What started as their first fundraiser has become a community tradition. According to<a href=\"https:\/\/news.jrn.msu.edu\/2024\/04\/the-izzo-legacy-family-fund-gives-back-to-the-community-they-call-home\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"> MSU&#8217;s Spartan Newsroom<\/a>, the fund has raised over $480,000 in their first four years and received the Governor&#8217;s Service Award in 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Read Also: <a href=\"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/rochelle-fairbairn\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rochelle Fairbairn: The Woman Behind NFL Star Ka\u2019imi\u2019s Success<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mission_and_Purpose_Building_Something_Bigger\"><\/span><strong>Mission and Purpose: Building Something Bigger<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/spartan.msu.edu\/spartan-story-hub\/News\/2025\/03\/Izzo-legacy-5k-continues-mission-to-aid-community\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><strong>Lupe<\/strong> explained their philosophy perfectly<\/a>: &#8220;Bad things happen, but we aren&#8217;t going to get swallowed up by what others say. We&#8217;re going to forge on and show the world that we are a great community and a great school.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/ourcommunity.org\/funds\/the-izzo-legacy-endowment-fund\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><strong>Izzo Legacy Family Fund<\/strong><\/a> operates with a complete board structure including <strong>Tina Ferland<\/strong> as Vice President, <strong>Pam McIntosh<\/strong> as Treasurer, <strong>Mallory Griffin<\/strong> as Secretary, and <strong>Marcy Gillespe Kinzer<\/strong> as Executive Director.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That&#8217;s the <strong>Lupe<\/strong> I admire \u2013 she doesn&#8217;t just react to challenges; she responds with action that builds something positive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lupe_Marinez_Personal_Interests_and_Lifestyle\"><\/span><strong>Lupe Marinez Personal Interests and Lifestyle<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>An interesting detail from her personal life is that <strong>Lupe<\/strong> took <strong>ballet and modern dance classes<\/strong> growing up in <strong>East Lansing<\/strong> and performed with a large troupe of <strong>Mexican folk dancers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She even participated in &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt12063672\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Izzo Goes to Broadway<\/a>&#8221; at <strong>DeVos Performance Hall<\/strong>, performing three numbers including a waltz with <strong>Tom<\/strong>. But here&#8217;s my favorite surprising fact: when asked what would surprise people about her, <a href=\"https:\/\/greaterlansingareamoms.com\/meet-a-mom-lupe-izzo-michigan-state-university\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><strong>Lupe<\/strong> revealed<\/a> &#8220;That I love <strong>exotic cars<\/strong>!&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Her lifestyle reflects balance \u2013 she enjoys regular facials at <strong>Skin Boss<\/strong> (where her daughter works), never leaves the house without mascara and lipstick, and her favorite indulgence is <strong>Chicken Pad Thai<\/strong> at local spots like <strong>Thai Princess<\/strong> and <strong>Fiesta Charra<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The family owns a lake house in <strong>Grand Haven<\/strong> on <strong>Lake Michigan<\/strong>, which serves as <strong>Lupe&#8217;s<\/strong> retreat for &#8220;me time.&#8221; She also loves visiting <strong>Marquette<\/strong> in the Upper Peninsula and reading industrial novels like &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/41692854-one-for-the-blackbird-one-for-the-crow\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><strong>One for the Black Bird<\/strong><\/a>&#8221; by <strong>Olivia Hawker<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Grandmotherhood_A_New_Chapter_as_%E2%80%9CGiGi%E2%80%9D\"><\/span><strong>Grandmotherhood: A New Chapter as &#8220;GiGi&#8221;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"538\" src=\"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/lupe-marinez-izzo-grandmotherhood-a-new-chapter-as-gigi.jpg\" alt=\"Lupe Marinez Izzo Grandmotherhood: A New Chapter as &quot;GiGi&quot;\" class=\"wp-image-404\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/lupe-marinez-izzo-grandmotherhood-a-new-chapter-as-gigi.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/lupe-marinez-izzo-grandmotherhood-a-new-chapter-as-gigi-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/lupe-marinez-izzo-grandmotherhood-a-new-chapter-as-gigi-768x404.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Lupe Martinez Izzo with her daughter and granddaughter. Image source: Instagram profile of Raquel Izzo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Lupe<\/strong> absolutely lights up talking about being &#8220;<strong>GiGi<\/strong>&#8221; to her granddaughter <strong>Isabelle Frances-Izzo McDonald<\/strong>. She watches <strong>Izzy<\/strong> whenever possible and sees her multiple times a week since <strong>Rocky<\/strong>, <strong>Matt<\/strong> and <strong>Izzy<\/strong> live nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;I absolutely love being a grandma, it has 100% given me a new purpose, and <strong>Tom<\/strong> too!&#8221; <a href=\"https:\/\/greaterlansingareamoms.com\/meet-a-mom-lupe-izzo-michigan-state-university\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><strong>Lupe<\/strong> shared in a recent interview<\/a>. As a grandmother, she enjoys reading <strong>The Little Golden Books<\/strong> collection to <strong>Izzy<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The family is expecting another grandchild in <strong>September 2025<\/strong>, adding even more excitement to <strong>Lupe&#8217;s<\/strong> role as the family matriarch. Her joy in this new chapter is absolutely unmistakable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lupe_Izzo_Current_Role_and_Future_Impact_Still_Leading_at_71\"><\/span><strong>Lupe Izzo Current Role and Future Impact: Still Leading at 71<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As <strong>Founder and President of The Izzo Legacy<\/strong>, <strong>Lupe<\/strong> shows no signs of slowing down. She actively manages the foundation while maintaining her various board positions and her influence extends beyond <strong>Michigan<\/strong> through her national work with <strong>Coaches Vs Cancer<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She continues supporting military families through <strong>Tom&#8217;s<\/strong> involvement in programs like <strong>Operation Hardwood<\/strong>, where college coaches went to <strong>Kuwait<\/strong> military camps in 2005 and 2006. Her most unique basketball experience was attending the <strong>Carrier Classic in 2011<\/strong> when <strong>Michigan State<\/strong> played <strong>North Carolina<\/strong> on an aircraft carrier in <strong>San Diego<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Lupe<\/strong> represents the rare figure who has maintained her own identity and achievements while supporting one of college basketball&#8217;s most successful coaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQs_About_Lupe_Marinez_Izzo\"><\/span><strong>FAQ\u2019s About Lupe Marinez Izzo<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_did_Lupe_Marinez_Izzo_meet_Tom_Izzo\"><\/span>How did Lupe Marinez Izzo meet Tom Izzo?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Through her sister-in-law who worked as <strong>Jud Heathcote&#8217;s<\/strong> secretary, though she initially rejected him for having a girlfriend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_business_did_Lupe_own_before_marrying_Tom\"><\/span>What business did Lupe own before marrying Tom?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>She owned and operated <strong>Rain Soft Water Treatment Systems Dealership of Lansing<\/strong> for over 20 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_many_children_do_Tom_and_Lupe_have\"><\/span>How many children do Tom and Lupe have?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Two \u2013 <strong>Raquel Izzo McDonald<\/strong> (born 1994) and <strong>Steven Mateen Izzo<\/strong> (adopted in 2000).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_Izzo_Legacy_Family_Fund\"><\/span>What is the Izzo Legacy Family Fund?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A foundation established in 2019 to enrich <strong>Michigan<\/strong> communities through charitable support and engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_awards_has_Lupe_received\"><\/span>What awards has Lupe received?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>She earned the <strong>1990 Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award<\/strong> in the <strong>State of Michigan<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_does_Lupe_like_to_vacation\"><\/span>Where does Lupe like to vacation?&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The family owns a lake house in <strong>Grand Haven<\/strong> on <strong>Lake Michigan<\/strong>, and she loves visiting <strong>Marquette<\/strong> in the Upper Peninsula.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Whats_Lupes_cultural_background\"><\/span>What&#8217;s Lupe&#8217;s cultural background?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>She&#8217;s <strong>Mexican-American<\/strong>, born in <strong>Texas<\/strong>, and performed with <strong>Mexican folk dancing<\/strong> groups in her youth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>You also like it: <a href=\"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/kimberly-ann-vadala\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kimberly Ann Vadala: Colin Cowherd\u2019s Ex-Wife\u2019s Private Life<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Lupe Marinez Izzo<\/strong> represents something beautiful \u2013 a woman who built her own success, then used that foundation to support both her family and community. She didn&#8217;t lose herself in <strong>Tom&#8217;s<\/strong> shadow; she created her own light that makes the whole family shine brighter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At 71, she&#8217;s still going strong, still leading, still making a difference. What strikes me most about <strong>Lupe<\/strong> is how she&#8217;s never forgotten where she came from or the values her father <strong>Efrain<\/strong> instilled in her. She&#8217;s living proof that you can support someone else&#8217;s dreams without abandoning your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#ff0000\" class=\"has-inline-color\">Disclaimer: <\/mark><\/strong>This article is based on publicly available information and interviews from various sources including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=B-dmNohkO5o&amp;t=4s\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Graham Bensinger&#8217;s interview<\/a> with the Izzo family, Michigan State University records, and community publications. All quotes and facts have been verified through multiple sources.If you notice any inaccuracies or would like information updated, please contact us and we will be happy to review it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>While Tom Izzo is widely recognized for his legendary coaching career at Michigan State University, his wife, Lupe Marinez Izzo,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":402,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-398","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-33","resize-featured-image"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/398","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=398"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/398\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":525,"href":"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/398\/revisions\/525"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/402"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=398"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=398"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsumup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=398"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}