The Michigan State Spartan mascot is a beloved symbol of the university's athletic teams and overall school spirit. The mascot, commonly known as Sparty, represents strength, courage, and Spartan warrior values. Sparty is depicted as a muscular Spartan warrior, standing at about 6'6" tall and weighing around 240 pounds. He wears the traditional ancient Greek warrior attire, including a bronze-colored helmet with a distinctive red plume, a red cape, and a battle-ready armor. Sparty makes appearances at many Michigan State athletic events, including football and basketball games, bringing energy and excitement to the crowd. He often leads chants and cheers, rallying the fans and creating a vibrant atmosphere.

Michigan state spartan mascot

From behind the scenes, in the huddle, on the stage and in hundreds of other places, Sparty sees Michigan State University in a way that no one else does. Do you have what it takes to wear Sparty's boots? Don't look back and wish you had.

• Contact: Jill Wesley, Sparty Mascot Program assistant director
  

• Be an enrolled, full-time undergraduate student (minimum of 12 credits) in good standing at Michigan State University.
• Be between 5'9" and 6'2" tall without shoes on.
• Be able to fit comfortably in the suit.
• Successfully pass the Criminal Background Check Authorization and Consent Form.
• Successfully pass the MSU Driver Certification Form or out-of-state driver records.
• Maintain a 3.0 or higher cumulative grade point average.
• Have a graduation date of Spring 2026 or later.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

The attachments listed below are required when submitting an application for the Sparty Mascot Program. Please use blue or black ink only on the forms.

1. A completed application form with manual signature.
2. An essay (not to exceed 500 words) expressing why you wish to be selected to portray the Michigan State University mascot, Sparty. You are encouraged to include past leadership positions and experiences you feel qualify you for this position. Please type your response and include it with the other requested materials.
3. A copy of a health record or physical examination report (can be completed at Olin Health Center), no more than 12 months old.
4. A signed copy of the Student Employment Criminal Background Check Authorization Form.
5. A signed copy of the Sparty Mascot Program Confidentiality Statement.
6. A signed copy of the MSU Driver Certification Form. Please note this form is for Michigan students. Out-of-state students will need to go to their state's DMV to get the information and attach their home state's driving record report.
7. A copy of your driver's license.
8. Proof of health insurance.
9. A copy of the front and back of your MSU student ID.
10. A copy of your fall 2023 class schedule.
11. Attend the mandatory informational meeting on Sept. 24, 2023 at 4 p.m.

The above application requirement can be submitted the following ways:

• Email documents to Jill Wesley, [email protected].
• Mail documents to Jill Wesley, 535 Chestnut Rd, Room 300, East Lansing, MI 48824.
• Drop off at Spartan Stadium Tower, 3 rd floor reception desk within Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

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17 things you didn't know about Sparty, king of the Big Ten mascots

Whether you root for his team or not, Sparty is undeniably one of the most epic collegiate mascots of all time. We asked Evan Lewandowski, a Michigan State University senior and the student director of the Sparty Security Team (yes, Sparty has his own security team), to share some of the coolest, lesser-known facts about this widely recognized mascot — including what it takes to "be" Sparty.

MLive file photo

He's portrayed by a student, not a professional.

Sparty has only ever been portrayed by full-time students, who must maintain high academic standards and pass a rigorous application and try-out process before donning the suit.

MLive file photo

His identity is top secret.

Very few people know "who" Sparty is — often not even the students' roommates, close friends or parents. "The person who portrays Sparty is under strict instructions to limit the amount of people they tell," Lewandowski says. "You're not to tell anyone at all, but sometimes, when that person is mysteriously absent from a tailgate, or is on the other side of the country on a Tuesday, they have to do a little explaining."

MLive file photo

He has his own security team.

Sparty always has at least one security person accompanying him to all events, and he has an entire team behind the scenes, helping him handle everything from travel logistics to answering questions from fans.

Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com

More than 50 people have sported the armor.

While those with the mascot program work hard to maintain the illusion that Sparty is just "Sparty," they are willing to confess that more than 50 people have donned the armor over the years. Those people are part of a tight-knit group that remain close and even hold regular get togethers and tailgates every year.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

Both men and women have worn the suit.

It's a common misconception that only men have portrayed Sparty, Lewandowski says. Of the 50 "Sparty" alumni, some have been women.

MLive file photo | Jake May

Those muscles are for real.

Sparty follows a training and conditioning program, and students who try out to don the suit must demonstrate the ability to do one-handed push-ups. "That's kind of his signature move," Lewandowski says.

(Lori Niedenfuer Cool | The Grand Rapids Press)

He's a very specific height.

Students who audition to portray Sparty generally must be between 5'10" and 6'2" in order to properly fit into the Sparty suit.

MLive file photo

The other mascots aren't his enemies.

Another common misconception? That mascots don't get along. "At least in the Big 10, I'd say we're more like a family," Lewandowski says. "So our sister schools with mascots, like Wisconsin, Ohio State, and Minnesota, they're Sparty's best friends." He quickly adds, though: "Once the event gets going, it does get a bit competitive."

(Josh Slagter | MLive)

He has a wardrobe beyond the armor.

Sparty "usually keeps it pretty traditional," Lewandowski says, but the mascot does have about a dozen additional outfits for special occasions: including a Santa suit for the holidays and a fan-favorite lumberjack outfit occasionally worn at the annual Michigan-Michigan State football game, the winner of which takes home the Paul Bunyan trophy.

MLive file photo | Jake May

He's super busy.

He does so much more than rock the sidelines at Spartan football games: Sparty attends between 500 and 600 events every year, and summer is his busiest time. "He's done weddings, birthdays, funerals, hospital visits — you name it, Sparty's done it," Lewandowski says.

Danielle Duval | MLive.com

He's a three-time national champion.

Sparty is a three-time winner of the Mascot National Championships, snagging the title in 2004, 2005 and 2007. He has also been awarded "Buffest Mascot" by Muscle & Fitness Magazine.

MLive file photo

It's hot in there.

Students who portray Sparty must be able to withstand a whole lotta heat: The temperature inside all of Sparty's garb is generally 30 to 40 degrees warmer than the air outside. "People assume Sparty's using some kind of cooling mechanism," Lewandowski says. "Sparty doesn't need that; he can handle it all."

He's turning 27 this year.

Sparty dates back to 1989, when he debuted in September at the start of the football season. He has a difficult time telling people his age — but not out of vanity. "A lot of people, especially kids, will ask 'How old are you?'" Lewandowski says. "Sparty obviously only has four fingers on each hand, so counting that up can take a while."

MLive file photo

He's a frequent flier.

Sparty travels all. the. time. "I can't speak to the number of continental states Sparty has been to, but I can say he's been to a majority of them, and every major city," Lewandowski says. He's always accompanied by people from his security squad, to make sure he doesn't run into any hassles along the way.

MLive file photo | Jake May

Sparty does it for the love of it.

It can cost up to $1,000 to hire Sparty to appear at a private event, like a wedding, but Sparty doesn't pocket that cash: It helps pay for things such as the mascot's travel expenses and frequent suit repairs. The student who portrays Sparty does it entirely as a volunteer.

MLive file photo

His wardrobe isn't cheap.

One full Sparty "suit" — people who work within the Sparty mascot program refrain from using the word "costume" — can cost between $15,000 and $20,000. And with all the travel and physical demands of being Sparty, there are frequent repairs needed, as well. "His boots can last anywhere from a year to a week, depending on the events, like if it's raining at a football game or he went for a walk on a beach," Lewandowski says. "Historically the chest plate has been the longest-lasting piece of his suit."

He can reveal "his" identity when it's time to say goodbye.

Tradition states that when the student portraying the mascot has completed their last event as "Sparty," they can finally reveal their identity to the world — often by making an announcement on social media, but also by wearing the Sparty boots along with their cap and gown to walk across the stage when they receive their diploma. "Other mascots [at other schools] will wear the mascot's hands or tail at graduation. We will wear part of the suit but not actual pieces of Sparty," Lewandowski says. "We do our best not to ruin the illusion of Sparty's character. Sparty is forever."

Sparty History

The first mascot appeared in 1955 and was a papier-mâché Spartan head made by Theta Xi fraternity brothers Donald Pais, Kenneth Roberts and Don Bauer. The head was six feet tall and weighed more than 60 pounds. Fraternity brother Bill Clithero was a perfect fit for the larger-than-life mascot costume. This Sparty debuted at a Jenison Field House pep rally before the Notre Dame football game.

By the 1956 Rose Bowl Game, the papier-mâché head had been replaced by a fiberglass version that was thirty pounds lighter. In 1960, the MSU student government assumed responsibility for the head. Records from that time to 1981 provide no information on who portrayed Sparty or how many years the fiberglass head was used at sporting events.

Learn more about Cy Stewart who appeared as Sparty from 1959 to 1963 donning the 30-pound fiberglass head with pride for his university. Here is a link to a video interview with him.

He often leads chants and cheers, rallying the fans and creating a vibrant atmosphere. Sparty's origins can be traced back to the early 1950s when a group of Michigan State students proposed the idea of having a Spartan warrior as the university's official mascot. The idea was embraced by the student body, and Sparty made his first appearance in 1955 at a football game against Notre Dame.

The Current Sparty: 1982-Present

In 1985, MSU Alumni Association Executive Director Chuck Webb attended an alumni directors’ conference. There he saw a “Bucky Badger” table tent produced by the University of Wisconsin. Webb brought a sample back to East Lansing and asked Alumni Association Graphic Designer Dave Giordan to create a Spartan version. Giordan was to draw a muscular Sparty in full body armor. Based on this design, Sparty table tents were produced for use at alumni events and became a treasured keepsake.

Early in 1989, a group came together to design and revamp the Sparty mascot. Research was conducted on Michigan State’s
mission, community and traditions. The result was an “approachable, fierce yet kind, man for all seasons” mascot. Sparty would reflect the university’s strength and character. To introduce MSU's new mascot, six billboards were positioned around East Lansing announcing his Spartan Stadium debut on September 16, 1989.

Since the current mascot was introduced in 1989, the MSU Alumni Office has had the honor of overseeing the Sparty Mascot Program.

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Sparty is graduating: Meet the woman who played MSU's mascot for 4 years

Senior advertising major Maddie Scanlon has been one of three women to represent Michigan State University as Sparty since her freshman year in 2018.

— Photo by Audrey Richardson | The State News

In the history of Michigan State University, only three women have served as the college’s beloved mascot, Sparty.

Advertising senior Maddie Scanlon is the third.

Scanlon revealed her 4-year secret to the world Thursday afternoon on social media and will keep the tradition of wearing Sparty’s boots when she graduates from the College of Communication Arts and Sciences Friday night.

Senior advertising major Maddie Scanlon has been one of three women to represent Michigan State University as Sparty since her freshman year in 2018.

Despite Scanlon’s love for MSU and Sparty — ‘the big guy’ as she calls him — her path to the university and mascot was not a direct one.

“I actually was supposed to go to the University of Alabama and it ended up kind of being just like a money thing … Michigan State offered me more money,” Scanlon said. “Obviously, now, I'm so thankful that it happened that way.”

Scanlon originally intended to join the crew team when she came to MSU, but ultimately decided against it. Scanlon joined the Kappa Delta sorority but said she still felt as though there were more opportunities for her to take advantage of at MSU — that was until she saw Sparty on the sideline at a football game her freshman year.

“I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, that's so cool, I wonder what I could do to be that.’” Scanlon said. “So the next day, I looked it up online and it was a whole, audition process that was kind of available and the application was open only for like a few more weeks, so I just was like, ‘Alright, I'm gonna apply and see what happens’ … then the journey and the audition process kind of continued from there.”

Scanlon joined the Sparty team in November 2018. There is a hefty training process in order to understand how to play and become the character, Scanlon said.

“They want to make sure that, one, you have enough time to kind of understand and fully be able to embody Sparty, but also, they want to make sure that you get fun experiences and get to go and travel and stuff,” Scanlon said.

It wasn’t until she got older that Scanlon understood the magnitude of how serious her role as MSU’s mascot was.

“Obviously at 18 and just kind of like transitioning into college … I'm trying to learn this character, but I'm also trying to do well in school,” Scanlon said.

Portraying Sparty is completely voluntary, and due to the time commitment, Scanlon said it sometimes equates to a full-time job depending on the number of events, but the university covers meal costs for travel and provides the student with MSU athletic gear.

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“Everything else is just volunteer,” Scanlon said. “You do it because you love the school.”

During her time as Sparty, Scanlon said she worked every football game and almost every basketball game. She traveled to the Maui Invitational with the men’s basketball team in 2019, the Peach Bowl last December and the first and second round of March Madness in South Carolina earlier this year. Additionally, she filmed an ESPN commercial in Los Angeles and other Michigan events including weddings, graduations and campus events.

The first and second women who were Sparty

Alumna Erin Bormes, class of 1998, and Nicole Niemiec, class of 2018, are the only other women to portray Sparty.

Bormes was Sparty during her junior and senior years after her mom encouraged her to try out.

Niemiec was Sparty for three years during her time at MSU and graduated right before Scanlon started her freshman year.

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“It was nice that she had just left and I was kind of coming on because she was still pretty much like around to answer questions I had,” Scanlon said of Niemiec.

Niemiec said Scanlon reached out to her when she was trying out for the role after she saw an article about Niemiec being Sparty.

“It meant a lot to me, I got goosebumps when I saw (her message) because I was like, ‘Yes, let's go, let's keep it rolling’ and I know she's done a fantastic job,” Niemiec said. “I cross paths with her a lot since she's had it, so I've seen her and so I'm proud, not that I'm not proud of everyone else, but you know, there's a magic there.”

All three women met at a Sparty alumni reunion and frequently keep in touch.

Advertising senior Madison Scanlon and alumni Erin Bornes and Nicole Niemiec are pictured at a banquet. Photo Courtesy of Madison Scanlon.

“I actually just sent (Maddie) and Nicole a picture this morning and just told both of them how proud of them (I am),” Bormes said. “To me, it's endearing to see them embrace this, do this and with the zest in life that they have, is just awesome.”

Bormes said it is fun to have a subgroup of women within the group of past and present Spartys, since it is a male-dominated position.

“I had reached out to Nicole while she was on squad, when I found out, and also Madison,” Bormes said. “To get to see them here and there at maybe a game has always just been encouraging to make those connections.”

Niemiec added she has a bond with Scanlon and Bormes.

“You understand what they're going through and you're nothing but happy; you want success for everyone,” Niemiec said. “You want more women to do it. You don't want them to be discouraged by the height requirement or the physical activity or being a manly character. Those are all things that can be overcome.”

Bormes said Scanlon deserves to be celebrated and spotlighted for the hard work she has put into the program.

“It's a cool feat and there's only three of us right now that have said that we could do it and this is her time to shine and we're so proud of her,” Bormes said. “(Sparty) is something that you do with not a lot of glory and honor, and that's not what we're doing it for, but there's a lot of time and energy that they put into on top of being a student to represent Michigan State University.”

Playing a male mascot as a woman

Scanlon said it was difficult for her at first to be on the same learning curve as everybody else as a female portraying a man, but thanks to the people she worked with, she never had a problem or felt out of place.

“It is something that you notice just in a locker room; you're the one difference,” Scanlon said. “It is pretty serious and it is pretty great that I was able to have the opportunity, but I would say that everyone that I was surrounded by was just super respectful and super excited that I was given this, and I deserved it and did well in my audition process to make it happen.”

Scanlon said there are not a lot of women in the mascot field and that it needs more representation.

Senior advertising major Maddie Scanlon has been one of three women to represent Michigan State University as Sparty since her freshman year in 2018. She graduates Friday. Photo courtesy of University Communications.

“I feel like people kind of are under this impression that like ‘Oh, I can't be Sparty because I'm not a guy’ or ‘Oh, I can't be Sparty because he's big and smelly and has to be the big strong guy on campus and that's not true: I did it for four years,” Scanlon said. “If you're willing to put in the work, really try to make yourself the character and be the greatest mascot in the world, there's no problem in doing that. And if you have an outgoing personality and fit the requirements to be Sparty, there's no reason why you shouldn't try out.”

Scanlon credits her parents for being her biggest supporters who pushed her to be Sparty.

“This has been the greatest four years of my life,” Scanlon said. “I don't really know what to do with myself, now that this is kind of over.”

Scanlon also gave a shout-out to her fellow graduating Spartys.

“They did just as much work as I did and they deserve just as much credit,” Scanlon said. “Us together as a team really showcased and did Sparty proud and I'm proud to be graduating with them.”

Since then, Sparty has become an iconic figure not only for Michigan State athletics but also for the university as a whole. He embodies the university's values of resilience, determination, and perseverance, and serves as a symbol of pride for students, alumni, and fans. In addition to his role as a mascot, Sparty is also involved in community service and philanthropy. He participates in various charitable events and frequently visits local schools and hospitals, spreading joy and positivity among the community. The Michigan State Spartan mascot holds a special place in the hearts of Spartan fans and is a symbol of the university's rich athletic tradition and strong sense of community. Whether it's on the field, in the stands, or within the community, Sparty continues to inspire and unite Spartans of all ages..

Reviews for "The Michigan State Spartan Mascot throughout History: A Symbol of Pride and Tradition"

1. Emma - 2/5 stars

I was really disappointed with the Michigan State Spartan Mascot. The costume looked cheaply made and lacked attention to detail. The proportions were all off, making it look less intimidating and more cartoonish. I also found the facial expression to be quite dull and lifeless. Overall, I expected more from such a renowned university's mascot.

2. Ryan - 1/5 stars

As a fan of the Michigan State Spartans, I found their mascot to be a complete letdown. The costume looked outdated and worn-out, and it seemed like no effort was put into maintaining its appearance. The character lacked excitement and energy, which made it challenging to get pumped up during games. Overall, it felt like the mascot was an afterthought, and it didn't add any value to the team spirit.

3. Ashley - 2/5 stars

The Michigan State Spartan mascot was just lackluster. The design didn't have any unique features or elements to make it stand out. It looked like a generic Spartan costume you could buy from a Halloween store, and that was quite disappointing. I was hoping for a mascot that would embody the spirit and strength of the team, but this one fell short. Overall, it was a missed opportunity to create something memorable and iconic.

4. Ethan - 3/5 stars

While the Michigan State Spartan mascot is recognizable, it lacks creativity. The costume design is quite simple and doesn't have any exciting features or details. Additionally, the movements and interactions of the mascot during games or events seem monotonous and repetitive. It would be great to see more enthusiasm and engagement from the mascot to rally the crowd. Overall, the Spartan costume feels like it needs a refresh to match the energy and excitement of the team.

The Evolution of the Michigan State Spartan Mascot Costume: From Humble Beginnings to Iconic Status