Last Saturday Michigan State lost to Wisconsin 77-74 in the Big 10 tourney semifinals but still earned an at-large bid to this week’s NCAA tournament. The Spartans have not had a losing season this century and are extending their streak of the most consecutive tournament appearances in men’s college basketball history. Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to speak with Michigan State cheerleader Gigi Schultz about the rivalry with the Wolverines and making the NCAA tourney.
You are from Rochester, MI: what made you choose Michigan State? I chose Michigan State because the athletics here are truly incredible. It is such an amazing community and everyone wants to see the person next to them succeed: now I bleed green!
You are majoring in Accounting: how did you choose that subject? I chose accounting as my major because I worked with numbers a lot when I was a part of the Student Council in high school. I also love a challenge: accounting pushes me every day to stay focused on growing my problem-solving and strategy skills, which has translated a lot into my personal life.
You are a junior: do you have a post-graduation plan yet? I do: I just got into the MS in Accounting program at MSU and am thrilled to spend 1 extra year at my favorite place! I want to go into a career with tax accounting and hopefully transition into the realm of helping professional athletes with their financial goals.
1 of your hobbies is working out: any advice for our readers who want to lose some weight? I would say rather than focus on losing weight, you should focus on moving your body and making sure your mental health is good. I find that the more I move my body, the better the headspace I am in.
Your team has won 27 games so far and all 6 of its losses were by single-digits: is it more fun to cheer for a team that you know is going to be competitive every single time it steps onto the court? It is truly the most insane experience every time I am able to cheer on the court. It is one of my favorite things about being a cheerleader. I think that being in the Breslin Center and having students/parents/athletes coming together to support our basketball team creates an atmosphere that is almost indescribable. The competitive culture of MSU basketball is truly something different.
2 of those wins were against Michigan: how do you explain the in-state rivalry to someone who has never experienced it in person? I would describe it as an in-state rivalry between two teams showing they have something to prove. During both games this year you could see that both teams were giving their all, and it makes watching those games very entertaining.
1 of those losses was last Saturday to Wisconsin in the Big 10 tourney semifinals but you still earned an at-large bid to the NCAA tourney: how did it feel to hear your team’s name called on Selection Sunday? It was truly incredible hearing MSU get placed into the tournament last Sunday. I know the guys work extremely hard and Coach Tom Izzo continues to push the program year by year, so it is very rewarding. It will also be my first time cheering at a men’s NCAA tournament and I could not be more excited.
How does your school decide who gets to go to the NCAA tourney, and what will it mean to you to see your group doing its thing in front of a national TV audience? Our school uses a point system based on skill set, GPA, and events we do throughout the year. A lot of our events contribute to other sports teams where we are able to bond with other athletes, which makes doing the events a lot of fun. To be able to go to these tournaments and see my teammates cheering on national TV means the world to me. Everyone on our team comes into practice and gives 100% to make the atmosphere at the games positive and fun, so getting to travel is very rewarding.
Does your squad have anything extra-special planned for this week? We are planning on checking out Cleveland a little bit while we are there and spending a lot of bonding time together. We are planning on soaking up every moment.
Any predictions for your game vs. Bryant on Friday in Cleveland? I think our team is going to show up and give it all they have and prove that MSU Basketball is a team to root for. They have so much potential and seeing them grow over the last three years has been such a blessing.
