General 9/1/2021 9:14:00 AM

What They’re Saying About Alan Haller…

Tom Izzo, Michigan State Men's Basketball Head Coach:
"Alan Haller is a Spartan through and through and I am thrilled that he has been selected as the Athletic Director at Michigan State. I've known Alan since he played for George Perles, followed his pro career and worked with him when he was a police officer. His leadership and the class in which he handles himself always impressed me. He has served Michigan State Athletics in a variety of roles and has a great understanding of who we are and what we need as we move forward to shape our department and to keep us at the forefront of college athletics. He is someone who will make sure that our athletics program is student-athlete centered, coach driven and administrator assisted. I am very excited to have Alan lead an athletics program that he loves so much and I will do everything I can to assist him and ensure the continued success of Michigan State Athletics. Congratulations Alan and thank you for the work you've done and the leadership you'll provide to us as we move Michigan State Athletics to an even higher level."

Mel Tucker, Michigan State Football Head Coach:
"Alan Haller has been associated with MSU for nearly 35 years. He is a Spartan for life and has rightfully earned a great deal of respect and credibility from his peers. He understands what it takes to be successful at this level and that's exactly what is needed in this role.

"In order to have a championship culture, you have to have the right people in the right seats. It's the same way we work on the field when choosing players and positions, they not only have to want it, but they have to live it, and Alan does.

"Alan has tremendous leadership qualities and has had a way of bringing people together over the years. He has the vision and progressive mindset that I admire in a leader. The Spartan family is strong and ready to build a solid foundation toward a better future."

Suzy Merchant, Michigan State Women's Basketball Head Coach:
"Alan is the definition of a true Spartan. He has shown the ability to listen, lead and act to improve our athletics department for more than a decade. He is someone who has demonstrated consistency in his character, integrity, and passion for all things Michigan State. He will do a tremendous job leading our department today and into the future challenges that college athletics will face. I am truly excited for this opportunity for Alan, his family, and the great Spartan Nation."

Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll, Michigan State Women's Golf Head Coach:
"Alan is a true Spartan; he is genuine, hard-working and passionate about Michigan State University. We all look forward to Alan leading our department into the future, ensuring the success of our sports programs and our student-athletes."

Mark Dantonio, Winningest Coach in MSU Football History:
"I'm very excited for Alan Haller and Michigan State University today. I worked very close with Alan for the last number of years. He has excellent communication skills and good relationships with the donors, the administration and former student-athletes. He's also a former student-athlete who has played at the highest level, both at Michigan State and in the NFL.

"Alan's experience as a police officer put him in touch with the university community, and he's been in pressure situations where he's had to make rapid and tough decisions. He's trustworthy and a man of integrity. Alan has been in a position of leadership for many years and he's well-equipped for the job. He is a Spartan and will see this job as an opportunity of a lifetime."

Dr. Clarence Underwood, Former Michigan State Director of Athletics (1999-2002):
"I've known Alan since his freshman year on the football and track & field teams. I could tell right away that he embodied everything right about being a student-athlete. Beyond his achievements in athletics and in the classroom, he demonstrated exceptional character. The skills he learned as a student-athlete have helped him ascend to leadership roles, first in the Michigan State University Police Department, and subsequently in Athletics, where staff members speak of him in the highest terms. He has high expectations for staff, but he also creates a harmonious atmosphere. That combination, when paired with his integrity and passion for seeing student-athletes reach their potential makes him an excellent selection as MSU's next Athletic Director."

Jimmy Raye, Michigan State QB (1965-67) and MSU Athletics Hall of Fame Inductee:
"I think it's an exciting time for Michigan State University Athletics. I think Alan Haller will be perfect in the role of administrator of the athletic department. He's a man of high-character and integrity. In my personal experience with him, I've found him to be a very relevant, innovative and highly committed individual. Alan exhibits core values of success; he's smart, tough, competitive, selfless and hardworking. From my vantage point, I think the future of Michigan State Athletics is in extremely capable and committed hands. I'm looking forward to the future of Michigan State Athletics. I think Alan will do a great job in leading the athletic department at Michigan State, and I'm very, very pleased and very, very proud that he has been given this opportunity."

Courtney Hawkins, Michigan State wide receivers coach and former Spartan WR (1988-91):
"I'm ecstatic and really excited for Alan. This couldn't have happened to a better person or a better leader. Alan has excelled in every role that he has had here at Michigan State. A lot of people talk about bleeding Green and White, but Alan truly does.

"When I came back to Michigan State to coach, I saw the same things from Alan that I saw when we were back in school together. He's consistent, he's a good person, and he's the kind of guy that makes everyone feel important. I think those qualities are why he's such a great leader. People gravitate to him because he's such a solid individual. It's going to be an honor working for him."

Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings Quarterback and former Michigan State QB (2007-11):
"Alan possesses the three traits I care most about in a leader: integrity, influence, and intuition. He will do what's right, he will have the respect of faculty and alumni, and he will have conviction on where to take the department in the years ahead. I believe strongly that the speed of a leader determines the speed of a team. In the case of the AD at MSU, Alan's 'speed' will get our athletic department where it needs to go."

Darqueze Dennard, Michigan State CB (2010-13), 2013 Jim Thorpe Award Winner, Rose Bowl Champion, Two-Time Big Ten Champion:
"Alan helped with my transition from a young kid into a man from the time I walked on the MSU campus, uplifting me and showering me with love, knowledge and motivation. From playing the game and in life, I'm truly thankful to Alan for being a role model for me and contributing to the person I am today. I'm happy to have a Spartan Dawg leading the way."

Bennie Fowler, Michigan State WR (2010-13), Rose Bowl Champion and Two-Time Big Ten Champion:
"I couldn't think of a better person to be Michigan State's Athletic Director than Alan Haller. Alan is one of the first people I met when I got to Michigan State. He helped me understand the importance of being a Spartan. He is the true definition of 'Spartans Will' and 'Spartan Pride.' Michigan State Athletics is in good hands with him leading the athletic department."

Brooke Bogan, Michigan State Track & Field (Sr.):
"As a student-athlete, it's important to know that someone truly has your back through it all. That's how I feel about Alan Haller. He's a listening ear who has always been there in times when our team was at its high and low points. I'll forever be grateful for his insight and genuine care. It speaks volumes to know that he was among the first to reach out and be in spaces that talk about diversity and inclusion. I'm also very happy to know the new AD is a former Spartan athlete!"

Denise Spann, Michigan State Track & Field (2015-19):
"Alan was such a guiding light for me during my time at MSU. He's always been someone who wants the best for all student-athletes. He's done everything in his power to listen and uplift their voices and ideas because he knows it'll make the department better. In times where I felt like my voice wasn't being heard, I always knew I could turn to Alan for advice, next steps or possible solutions to my problems. As a Black female student-athlete and graduate assistant, it really meant a lot to me to see someone who looked like me, not only fighting for my needs as a person and athlete, but also understood the struggles my peers and I faced. Without Alan I wouldn't have gotten my master's degree, experienced what it means to impact a Power 5 institution, and I wouldn't have been able to implement programs that help the lives of Spartan student-athletes for the years to come. See, no matter his title, Alan has been a dependable, innovative and strong rock for MSU Athletics and the university as a whole. I'm so proud that he's being rewarded for his efforts and love toward MSU Athletics. He's been a wonderful mentor and boss to me, and he's going to be an even more fabulous Athletic Director."

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