Mondays are for Moms and we are so excited to share another amazing mom!
This week we would like to introduce you to Rocky Izzo McDonald! She is a wife, daughter, sister and most importantly, a mom! Rocky is the daughter of Michigan State Basketball head coach Tom and Lupe Izzo as well as the Executive Director for the Izzo Legacy Family Fund, but she states her most important role in life is being a mom to her sweet daughter, Isabelle.
While being a busy new mom, she also spends her time helping the community with The Izzo Legacy Family Fund. A fund that has been created to honor the impact and legacy of Tom Izzo while celebrating hard work, Spartans, family, community, and charitable giving. The Izzo Legacy Family Fund benefits an ever-growing list of Greater Lansing-based charities selected by the Izzo family.
Read more about Rocky’s involvement with the fund, her best mom advice, and her must-have makeup and baby products. And don’t miss the biggest fundraising event of the Izzo Legacy Family Fund, The Izzo Legacy Run/Walk/Roll, happening THIS weekend! Join the fun and support a great cause.
Welcome to Greater Lansing Area Moms, Rocky! And Go Green💚
Please introduce yourself, where are you from, where do you reside now, where you went to school, etc? Please give us an overview of all things Rocky!
Hi! My name is Raquel Izzo McDonald but everyone calls me Rocky! I am 29 years old and was born and raised here in East Lansing and currently live in Haslett! I attended St. Thomas Aquinas, went on to Lansing Catholic for High School and studied advertising with a concentration in media management at Michigan State University💚 I am obsessed with all things makeup, mermaids, and Disney!
Can you tell us how you and your husband met, we love a good love story!
Matt and I actually went to elementary school at St. Thomas together and high school at Lansing Catholic together. We talked and we went on a few dates in high school and kept in touch through the years but really connected in college my junior year while he was in school at the University of Oregon. We dated long-distance for a year and a half and once he graduated in 2017 he came back to Michigan, we dated for a few more years and got engaged in 2019 at our favorite place…Disney! Then we had a wild Covid wedding. We got married on our original date July 25, 2020, where we got married in the church and had a fun drive-by of friends and family. Then we went to Grand Haven and my cousin got ordained and we got married again on the beach the same day! We had to wait two years to have our reception on July 9, 2022, at the Breslin Center! It was a crazy few years but I know everything happened as it should, we just got to have three wedding celebrations which if anyone knows me knows I’m extra so it worked out well for me😂
And now you are a new mom! How old is your sweet baby girl?
Yes I am! Isabelle will be 9 months on the 22nd! Time is going by so fast!
What do you think is one of the best parts about being a mom?
Izzy is truly my world. Her being my daughter is my purpose in life. I knew when I was little all I ever wanted to be was a mom and she made my dream come true! I love how happy she is but one of the best parts has been including her in all things Michigan State Basketball!
What is one of your favorite pieces of advice that you have received since becoming a mom?
Everyone is going to want to give you an opinion. Take all the advice because you never know what you may need and then use what works for you. And it’s okay to try new things. Your mom instinct is real! You will never do anything to harm your baby so do what you think is best.
Has your mom given you any mom-wisdom or shared new-to-you mom stories from when you were young?
Oh yes! My mom is everything to me! She is my inspiration and the one I look up to! She is the most amazing mom and I have learned so much from her! We were so grateful to be able to stay with my parents after Izzy was born for a little bit to get the hang of newborn life and adjust as new parents. If anything is ever wrong she is my first call since she’s been through all of this before!
Izzy with her Grandma, Lupe Izzo
Curious minds would love to know, what will your daughter call your dad?
Well, I always thought she would name him whatever she wants but we call him either grandpa or papa for now.
Izzy and her Grandpa, MSU Head Basketball coach, Tom Izzo
This might be difficult to answer, but do you have one or two favorite Spartan Basketball moments?
Hmmm well the 2019 elite 8 when we beat Duke stands out! And then probably most recently Steven’s game when he hit his shot and his senior night! All fun and emotional games!
The Izzo Legacy 5k/Run/Walk/Roll is coming up on April 20th! Can you please tell us how this race came to be?
My mom and I established it in 2019 after some challenging times within our community. We wanted to show people that Michigan State and East Lansing was still a great place and there are amazing people doing amazing things here. We wanted to help give back to the people who have given to us. We wanted something to last long after my dad is done coaching. Something for mine and my brother’s kids to have to see what great things my parents have done and continue to do. Then came the race to show awareness of the great charities and the work that they do! It’s been an awesome 5 years and we’re looking forward to more!
What are you most looking forward to on race day?
We are so looking forward to seeing all the people who come out to support a great cause! The race keeps growing every year and we love and appreciate the support!
When is The Izzo Legacy 5k/Run/Walk/Roll and is sign up still open?
The race is Saturday, April 20th! The morning of the Football Spring Showcase! So it should make for an amazing day to be on campus! Registration is still open! You can register yourself and your kids at www.izzorace.com
What ages is this race for?
We have 2 kids races. The Kids Sprint and the ½ mile children’s race. We’ve had kids as young as 2 in the kids sprint! And then we have the Run/Walk/Roll up to any age! My grandma rolled at the age of 94!
So simply put any and all ages are welcome! Izzy will definitely be there in her stroller!
Any important details we should know for the day of the race? (Ie. families with racers of different ages, how early to arrive, etc)
The race will kick off with a competitive start at 9:10 am, followed by an open start line from 9:12 am to 9:20 am. This gives participants the option to begin with the crowd or wait until the starting line clears up. The event schedule is as follows:
- 8:45 am: 5K Roll Start
- 9:00 am: 1/2 Mile Walk Start
- 9:10 am: 5K Run/Walk Start
- 10:15 am: Kids’ Sprint Start
- 10:30 am: 1/2 Mile Kids’ Race Start
Parking details: Participants can park at Ramp 7.
If you missed packet pickup during the week to collect your race shirt and bib, you can do so at Munn on the morning of the race!
If people are not interested in participating in the race, are there other ways to be involved with this special day?
We can always use volunteers to be course marshals! Our goal is to have so many people on the course cheering people on! They can use this link to sign up! https://www.izzorace.com/Race/Volunteer/MI/EastLansing/TheIzzo
Also donating to help our amazing charities is also a great way to help! You can donate here: https://www.izzorace.com/Race/Donate/MI/EastLansing/TheIzzo
Here are a few questions to get to know you better 😊
Favorite account or two on Instagram?
- I love @jaclynhill she is a makeup artist I have been following since highschool! She also does home life stuff and has some great mocktail recipes as well!
- I also love @lindsarnold she was a pro on Dancing with the Stars and a mom of 2 so she’s always posing cute things/advice/products with her girls and I enjoy her content!
Must-have baby item while traveling?
Our Lille baby carrier! She loves being in that! It was also what helped me be able to have Izzy at basketball games so this is our go-to! And our Doona! Makes it so much easier when traveling to have a two-in-one for a car seat and stroller!
Favorite makeup or beauty product?
I love Haus Labs! It’s the brand by Lady Gaga, their foundation is amazing! I also really like Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez! Their blushes and highlighters are so pretty!
Do you have a favorite podcast?
I enjoy listening to Call Her Daddy and The Viall Files!
What are some of your favorite shows?
The Bachelor Franchize of shows, Next Level Chef, The Crown, Veronica Mars, Grey’s Anatomy, Station 19, Nashville, Charmed, Sex in the City
Where are some of your favorite places locally to spend time with your family/family favorites/date night – restaurants, attractions, events, parks, etc?
More recently my husband, Matt and I have loved going to Toscana for brunch! Their fruit plate and Toscana Burger is amazing!
I have loved taking Izzy to her swim classes at Goldfish Swim School in Okemos! That has become a family favorite. Now that the weather is getting better I am looking forward to discovering more parks around the area!
What are you looking forward to most this summer?
We spend a lot of time in Grand Haven as a family so I am really looking forward to doing that.
Thank you so much for joining us, Rocky. We loved learning more about you, your sweet family and getting a glimpse of your life as a mom to Izzy!
The support you give to the community and the local charities is remarkable, Greater Lansing is so lucky to have you and your family!
We will see you this weekend at The Izzo Legacy Run/Walk/Rolll 💚
