Former Spartan Trae Waynes donating $500,000 to Michigan State for Tom Izzo Building
East Lansing – Michigan State announced on Friday that former Spartan great and successful businessman Trae Waynes, and his wife Kyra Waynes, have donated a gift of $500,000 to the university’s athletic department, earmarked for the Tom Izzo Football Building, the new 65,000-square-foot addition to Michigan State’s Skandalaris Football Center and Duffy Daugherty Football Building.
“A big part of who I am today is because of Michigan State University,” Waynes said in a press release issued Friday morning, “so having the opportunity to give back and make my own mark on this facility was an easy decision.
“The people of MSU who have supported me have left quite an impact, so I’m happy to be able to show support in some way to the current and future players and staff coming through this university.”
Waynes was second-team All-American for Michigan State in 2014 and a Thorpe Award Semifinalist as part of the Spartans’ “No Fly Zone” secondary.
Waynes, who was a psychology major at Michigan State, was selected in the first round (No. 11 overall) in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Waynes earned a scholarship at Michigan State’s after a standout performance as an unknown, uninvited participant at the Spartans’ prospect camp in the summer of 2010.
Waynes, a native of Kenosha, Wis., redshirted in 2011, played on special teams in 2012 and then emerged as a star in 2013.
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Waynes became a seven-year player in the NFL with the Vikings and Cincinnati Bengals.
Waynes and his wife founded Home Grown Outfitters, a hunting guid service based out of Buffalo County, Wis.
The Tom Izzo Football Building, which is still under construction, will be a state-of-the-art facility, focusing on player development through – with an expanded weight room, a sports science area, and multiple nutrition stations, – with renovated athletic training, recovery areas, and a new player locker room and lounge.
“It’s special to have a highly successful individual like Trae associated with our program and university,” Spartan head coach Mel Tucker said in the Michigan State press release. “He realized his NFL dream after putting in the work on the field, but also planned for the future so he could own a successful organization off the field beyond his playing days. We are grateful for his family’s gift and partnership. He is the example of success for our program.”
In the press release, Michigan State executive senior associate athletic director Jacob Kirkham said donors have gifted more than $52 million of the $67.5 million needed for completion of the Tom Izzo Football Building.
“MSU Athletics is grateful for the significant philanthropic support from Trae and Kyra Waynes for the Tom Izzo Football Building,” said Michigan State Vice President and Director of Athletics Alan Haller. “Their gift mirrors their approach to life and their values of being family-oriented, forward-thinking, and giving selflessly for the benefit of others. We thank them for enhancing the experience for all Spartan student-athletes while continuing the strong tradition of former athletes giving back to Michigan State and paying it forward for those following in their footprints.”
