Lansing Economic Club Host Panel with Coaches Michael Garland and Tom Izzo

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June 5, 2025

At a Lansing Economic Club event Thursday, former Michigan State men’s basketball assistant coach Michael Garland and head coach Tom Izzo shared the story behind Champions of the Heart, the nonprofit Garland founded after surviving a cardiac arrest in 2022.

The conversation, moderated by WILX news anchor Ann Emmerich, focused on Garland’s recovery, the founding of his nonprofit and the need for greater awareness and training around cardiac arrest and CPR.

After Garland collapsed in 2022, Izzo drove 90 miles straight to the hospital from his cottage after just finishing a recruiting trip. 

“I called my administrative assistant to make sure we got the president of the hospital to help,” Izzo said. “They called me 20 minutes out and said, ‘Don’t be expecting the world — this could end in a very bad way.’”

When Izzo arrived, Garland was on a ventilator and unresponsive. He remained on the ventilator for several days. Izzo and Garland’s family stayed by his side in the hospital, unsure of what the outcome would be. After Garland was discharged, Izzo insisted that he and his wife stay at his home for two months during his recovery.

During Garland’s recovery, Izzo showed him footage of the cardiac arrest and the emergency response. Garland said seeing the video for the first time played a major role in shaping what would become Champions of the Heart.

For Izzo, watching the video alongside Garland stirred a mix of emotions.

“It was kind of wicked, and yet it was kind of inspiring,” Izzo said. “You talk about two emotions — you’re saying, ‘Oh my God,’ and then you’re saying, ‘Oh my God.’ As a negative and as a positive.”

Garland later chose to share the footage publicly, hoping it would help others understand the urgency of responding to cardiac arrest. Izzo said the decision significantly amplified the nonprofit’s impact.

Since its launch, Champions of the Heart has organized CPR training events and community outreach to raise awareness about cardiac arrest and emergency preparedness. Garland said the nonprofit’s mission is to equip people with the tools and knowledge that could save a life — especially in moments when every second matters.

“People don’t understand there’s a big difference between heart attack and cardiac arrest,” Garland said. “Cardiac arrest, you can be standing here, you can be 10 years old, and it happens. You don’t have to be running. It’s just the electrical system in your heart, for several reasons, goes haywire — and boom, you’re down. The good news is, if someone helps you and they get you to the hospital, they can get you through. That’s the part I don’t think, as a nation, we truly appreciate or understand.”

Izzo emphasized that cardiac arrest can affect anyone — not just older adults or those with known health conditions. He pointed to athletes like Damar Hamlin and Riley James, who both suffered cardiac arrest despite being young and in peak physical condition.

The nonprofit has hosted CPR clinics using mannequins, partnered with local agencies and spoken at events across the state. Izzo said that while fundraising is important, raising awareness is just as critical.

“Spreading the word is really good, because some people can’t afford the money,” Izzo said. Excerpt from StateNews Video courtesy from Michigan Business Center