The Sparky mascot and ASU colors are important symbols representing Arizona State University. The Sparky mascot, a devilish character with a pitchfork, is a beloved figure among students and alumni. It represents the spirit and energy of the university, and is often seen at sporting events and other campus activities. Sparky serves as a symbol of pride and unity, bringing people together under the common identity of being a Sun Devil. In addition to the mascot, ASU colors also play a significant role in representing the university. The official colors of ASU are maroon and gold.
Sparky was designed by artist and former Disney employee Berk Anthony in the late 1940s. But he was designed as a logo, not a mascot.
One of the challenging things about developing a model like this is that you have to find the best possible spatial indicator for all of the criteria, and that requires a working knowledge of a lot of different research topics, said Meerow, co-author of the study whose research focuses on city resilience planning in the face of climate change. Using something like multicriteria decision analysis could help generate those plans because you can then see where the potentially most suitable spaces are located, then see how you could develop a network rather than thinking of these as one-off independent sites.
The official colors of ASU are maroon and gold. Maroon represents strength, determination, and perseverance, while gold symbolizes success, achievement, and excellence. These colors are prominently displayed throughout the campus, on clothing, and during events to showcase the university's identity and foster a sense of belonging.
Beloved ASU mascot sparks innovation in design challenge
Arizona State University students have embraced the nickname “Sun Devils” since Nov. 20, 1946, when a student body vote approved the now famous moniker.
Sparky the Sun Devil first appeared on the football field in the early 1950s and has slowly evolved in appearance over the decades. And while no changes to Sparky’s look are on the horizon, some visionary ASU students are exploring ways to “level up” the adored mascot’s powers and create an innovative, technology-enhanced version for the future. Ignite Sparky was a yearlong design challenge for the Arizona State University community to bring Sparky up to the next level of innovation. Six finalist teams presented their proposals at the San Tan Ford Club at Sun Devil Stadium with Sparky in attendance. Photo by Erik Wirtanen/ASU Download Full Image
Ignite Sparky, a yearlong design challenge open to the ASU community of students, faculty and alumni, brings together Sun Devil Athletics, the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering and the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts in a collaborative effort that will see a new Sparky emerge.
More than 25 teams submitted proposals at the kickoff of the Ignite Sparky Design Challenge last fall. But as the school year has progressed, a series of mini-challenges have narrowed the field to six finalist teams and their innovative ideas for how to transform Sparky.
Now, three teams’ projects will move forward for further analysis and possible implementation by either Sun Devil Athletics or the university to promote the school and deliver a “wow” moment for fans. The three advancing teams were each awarded $1,000, while the three other finalists were each awarded $500.
The idea for the Ignite Sparky challenge came from Brian Swette, an ASU alumnus and president of Sweet Earth Natural Foods. Swette’s goal was to bring Sparky up to the next level of innovation, increase his power and even give the character a little bit of attention-grabbing flash.
“What makes me really excited about this is just to see how young people have come up with tremendous ideas,” said Swette. “They present them well, they work collaboratively and it’s been really heartwarming and exciting to see.”
Swette, a member of the board of directors for the Global Institute of Sustainability and Innovation, is the primary donor for Ignite Sparky.
The Sparky’s Inferno team — (left to right) informatics student Natalie Mason, Lecturer Anoop Grewal and mechanical engineering students Kenny Truong and Matthew Nolan — presented three separate ideas, including an enhanced pitchfork similar to the one held by Nolan. Photo by Erik Wirtanen/ASU
Sparky’s Inferno
The Sparky’s Inferno team featured a trio of Fulton Schools students: informatics junior Natalie Mason, mechanical engineering seniors Kenny Truong and Matthew Nolan, and Lecturer Anoop Grewal, their faculty mentor.
The team created several concepts throughout the challenge but fused them into three big ideas for their pitch.
Their "Solar Fury" idea features a pair of large, articulated vortex air cannons that fire rings of fog and a blast of air into the crowd during football games at Sun Devil Stadium.
“Our inspiration initially stemmed from the ‘Stomp the Bus’ video,” said Nolan. “We wanted to more viscerally capture the essence of Sparky beaming down from the sun and marching with a dust storm in his wake.”
“We love this idea for two reasons,” said Truong. “One, it’s a freaking cannon! And two, it’s a multifaceted event. It is loud, it is visually incendiary and the audience will get to physically experience the energy as Sparky comes on the field.”
Their second idea, "Sparky Storm," is designed to replicate a dust devil in which Sparky could ride around the field. In this scenario, Sparky rides out onto the field on a robotic platform that will emit smoke and create cylindrical air flow and the illusion of a cyclonic dust devil.
Their final idea was the enhanced pitchfork, which will take the traditional pitchfork that Sparky carries to an exciting new level. The new pitchfork would utilize compressed fog to shoot blasts of smoke from the prongs, which will then be illuminated by lasers. Another feature of the pitchfork is to dynamically react to Sparky’s movements to create a light show on the shaft of the pitchfork itself.
The group has been working together for three years now as part of the Sun Devil Robotics Club, including work on a planetary rover for a competition called the University Rover Challenge, and for an ASU-hosted combat robotics competition called the Sun Devil Smackdown.
“Ignite Sparky is a really nice way to be able to give back,” said Mason. “The idea of our designs being used long-term and earning a place in Sparky’s story is exceptionally cool.”
The Sparky’s Lightning team of mechanical engineering and industrial design double major Ben Weber (left) and aerospace engineering major Andrew Deros (right) demonstrated how Sparky could wield his new lightning powers with a Tesla coil during the Ignite Sparky event. Photo by Erik Wirtanen/ASU
Sparky’s Lightning
The Sparky’s Lightning team featured Andrew Deros, a junior studying mechanical engineering and industrial design, and Ben Weber, a first-year aerospace engineering student.
The pair were inspired by an electrical aura around Sparky’s pitchfork and decided to create a Tesla coil that will use the energy of the crowd’s cheering to generate electricity in the Tesla coils beside Sparky.
“Our inspiration came from Sparky’s backstory,” said Deros. “It just felt natural to give him the ability to harness lightning. I envision Sparky using his new power to play AC/DC’s 'Thunderstruck' with lightning and amping up the crowd to cheer on the football team and lead them to victory.”
The duo met during the original hackathon for Ignite Sparky, but have worked on other hackathons since then.
“In each stage of the Ignite Sparky challenge, we improved on the design. And seeing the side-by-side comparisons of this growth has been really fun,” said Weber. “I am looking forward to seeing Sparky embrace his power and command the lightning.”
Mechanical engineering major Oskar Kozieja (left) and business major Ci’mone Rogers (right) presented their "Ignite with Light" idea of using hundreds of drones to display assorted school spirit logos and sayings during the Ignite Sparky finals. Photo by Erik Wirtanen/ASU
Ignite with Light
The Ignite with Light team consisted of first-year mechanical engineering major Oskar Kozieja and business (information security) junior Ci’mone Rogers, who is also a transfer student in her first year at ASU. Kozieja and Rogers first met at the initial Ignite Sparky Design Challenge informational meeting.
“Virtually, we both connected, made a quick bond and were driven to implement a plan for the judges, students, staff and community members to love,” said Rogers.
The team proposed a drone light show inspired by the ones that were performed at the opening ceremonies of the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
“I have a great appreciation for drones because of their versatility and usefulness in different settings, such as photography, entertainment, the workforce and armed services,” said Kozieja. “I believe that it would be amazing if our design would be implemented in Sun Devil Athletics and throughout the university.”
The team envisions 10 to 20 people working with 250 drones that can be programmed to display images over the stadium with sayings such as “Forks Up,” or even a picture of Sparky himself.
The legacy of Sparky
Sparky has been inspiring ASU athletics for generations, and over that time he has become a symbol for the entire ASU community. How he gets “ignited” remains to be determined, but all of the teams provided some great ideas to be considered.
Christine Wilkinson, senior vice president and secretary of ASU, president and CEO of the ASU Alumni Association and managing director of the Trustees of ASU, attended the Ignite Sparky event and shared what Sparky means to ASU.
“Sparky is not only the embodiment of Sun Devil Athletics, but our university overall,” said Wilkinson. “Sparky represents the enthusiasm and innovative spirit that keeps us moving forward.”
Brian Swette (far right wearing gold) talks to all six finalist teams at the conclusion of the Ignite Sparky Design Challenge. Photo by Erik Wirtanen/ASU
Erik Wirtanen
Web content comm administrator, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering
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Both the Sparky mascot and ASU colors are important aspects of the university's brand and image. They help create a sense of community, pride, and loyalty among students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Whether it's cheering on the sports teams or showcasing school spirit, these symbols play a vital role in shaping the identity of Arizona State University..
Reviews for "ASU Colors: Their Influence on Campus Traditions"
1. Michelle - 2 stars: I was not a fan of the Sparky mascot and ASU colors. I found the mascot to be quite creepy and the colors were too bright and garish for my taste. Every time I saw Sparky during a game, it just gave me the heebie-jeebies. Additionally, I found the ASU colors to be overwhelming and distracting. I prefer more muted and understated colors, so the boldness of the ASU colors was simply too much for me.
2. Jason - 1 star: I really did not like Sparky and the ASU colors at all. The mascot just seemed tacky and outdated to me. It felt like it belonged in a different era and didn't match the modernity of the university. The colors were also a sore spot for me. I found them to be too loud and obnoxious, and they didn't evokethe sense of sophistication that I expect from a university. Overall, Sparky and the ASU colors just weren't my cup of tea.
3. Emily - 2 stars: Sparky and the ASU colors were a disappointment for me. The mascot felt more like a caricature than a symbol of the university. It didn't embody the qualities I associate with a university mascot. Additionally, the ASU colors felt haphazardly chosen. They clashed and didn't create a cohesive visual identity. I think a more refined and polished mascot and color scheme would better represent the university and its values.
4. David - 1 star: Sparky and the ASU colors were a major turn-off for me. The mascot was just plain creepy, and it made me question the university's decision-making. The ASU colors were overwhelming and hard on the eyes. They lacked sophistication and seemed more suited for a children's playground than a respected university. Overall, I couldn't get behind the mascot and the color scheme. It felt like a missed opportunity to create a more tasteful and memorable representation of ASU.