Spartans Rally Pocketbooks for March Madness - WLNS TV 6 Lansing - Jackson | Your Local News Leader

EAST LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) - The March Madness atmosphere is certainly felt on MSU's campus in East Lansing, but it's also a time for the alumni to re-connect with their Spartan networks.

Every tournament win seems to have a visible impact on students, but the unseen effects the tournament has on the university is even more substantial.

Peter Lasher, assistant VP of the university's development office, said tourney time means Spartans--current and former--come out and support their team.

"Spartan Nation is just an amazingly loyal and enthusiastic group. When you have something like this, they're able to come out and those networks are lit up," said Lasher. "Athletics will see a bump in their giving, particularly if we go deep in the tournament. And our annual fund, our student callers will see a little bit of a pick-up there."

In addition to more funding, Lasher said March Madness usually means growth for the Alumni Association.

"They're reaching out to friends who might not be members of the association and so they're coming out and experiencing it," he added.

"When it comes time to ask them to support us, our alumni and stakeholders feel an amazing connection with the place."