He’s got a pitchfork. He’s got a mischievous, slightly sinister grin. And honestly, he’s probably the only college mascot who looks like he’s plotting to steal your soul—or at least your lunch money. Sparky the Sun Devil, the iconic Arizona State University mascot, is a weird piece of history that somehow works perfectly for a massive research university in the middle of a desert that feels like the surface of the sun.
Most people see the red and gold and think "cool logo." But if you actually dig into where this guy came from, it’s a bizarre journey involving a former Disney illustrator, a very angry religious group, and a literal change of identity for an entire school.
From Bulldogs to Devils: The Identity Crisis
Arizona State wasn't always the Sun Devils. Back in the day—we're talking the early 20th century—the school went by the "Normals" because it was a Teachers College. Not exactly a name that strikes fear into the hearts of opponents. Then they were the Owls. Eventually, they settled on the Bulldogs. It was fine. It was safe. It was also incredibly boring.
In 1946, everything changed. The student body voted to ditch the Bulldog and adopt the Sun Devil. Why? Because Tempe is hot. Really hot. The name change wasn't just a whim; it was a vibe check for a desert school that wanted a mascot that actually reflected the heat and intensity of the Southwest. But once you have a name like "Sun Devil," you need a face.
Enter Bert Anthony.
He wasn't just some local artist. Anthony was a former Disney illustrator. If you look closely at Sparky’s face, you can see that classic mid-century Disney animation style—the exaggerated features, the expressive eyes, and that specific "villain" smirk that feels like it belongs in Fantasia. There’s a persistent rumor that Sparky was actually modeled after Walt Disney himself as a bit of an inside joke, though that’s never been officially confirmed by the university or Disney. Still, the resemblance in the mustache and the mischievous glint is uncanny.
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The Pitchfork and the Controversy
You can’t talk about the Arizona State University mascot without talking about the "Fear the Fork" gesture. It’s the three-fingered hand signal that looks like a trident. It's everywhere. It’s on the helmets, it’s on the t-shirts, and it’s what every student does during a third-down defense at Mountain America Stadium.
But not everyone was a fan initially.
In the late 1940s and 50s, a devil mascot wasn't exactly "wholesome." There were local groups and religious leaders who were genuinely concerned about a public institution being represented by a literal demon from hell. They thought it was a bad look. They thought it would bring bad luck.
ASU leaned in anyway.
They realized that Sparky wasn’t "evil" in a theological sense; he was a trickster. He was energetic. He represented the "heat" of competition. Over decades, the mascot evolved from a guy in a somewhat creepy, thin mask to the high-energy, acrobatic performer we see today. The modern Sparky is known for doing pushups for every point the football team scores—a feat that becomes increasingly impressive (and exhausting) during a high-scoring blowout.
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The 2013 Redesign Disaster
If you want to see a fan base go absolutely nuclear, look up the 2013 Sparky redesign. ASU tried to update the mascot costume to look more "modern" and "animation-friendly" in a partnership with Disney.
It was a total train wreck.
The new Sparky looked like a generic, bug-eyed character from a straight-to-DVD kids' movie. He lost the grit. He lost the "villainous" charm. The backlash from alumni and students was so intense and so immediate that the university basically hit the "undo" button within weeks. They went back to a version that honored Bert Anthony’s original vision. It was a massive lesson in brand loyalty: don't mess with the classics, especially when the classic is a beloved, mischievous devil.
The Person Behind the Mask
Being Sparky isn't just about putting on a suit and waving. It’s an elite athletic role. The students who play the Arizona State University mascot are kept strictly anonymous. This is a big deal in Tempe. You don’t tell your friends. You don’t post it on Instagram. You live a double life.
The physical requirements are intense. Think about it: you’re in a heavy, fur-and-foam suit in Tempe, Arizona. Even a night game in September can be 100 degrees. These performers have to stay hydrated to a scientific degree, often losing several pounds of water weight during a single game. They have to be able to do backflips, lead cheers, and maintain a specific "character" movement—Sparky never just walks; he struts. He sneaks. He prowls.
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Why the Sun Devil Works
There’s something unique about the way ASU fans embrace the "devil" aspect. In most of college sports, you have tigers, bears, or birds. They’re predatory, sure, but they’re grounded in nature. Sparky is supernatural.
When the "Curtain of Distraction" comes out during basketball games—where students behind the hoop do ridiculous things to distract the opposing team's free-throw shooters—Sparky is often the ringleader. It fits the brand. It’s chaotic, it’s loud, and it’s slightly irreverent.
Even the rivalry with the University of Arizona (the Wildcats) feeds into this. It’s the classic "Cats vs. Devils" dynamic. While UofA has a more traditional collegiate feel, ASU has always embraced being the "rebellious" school, and Sparky is the ultimate symbol of that "mischief managed" energy.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Students
If you're heading to a game or just visiting Tempe, here is how you actually engage with the Sun Devil culture without looking like a tourist:
- Master the Fork: It’s not a "W" and it’s not a "peace sign." Fold your thumb over your pinky and hold the middle three fingers straight up. If you're at a game, you "pitchfork" the air during kickoffs.
- The Pushup Tradition: If you're sitting near the end zone, watch Sparky after a touchdown. He has to match the total score in pushups. If ASU is winning 42-10, he’s doing 42 pushups. It’s a great way to gauge how much he's suffering for the win.
- The "V" Hand Signal Myth: You might see some older fans using a different gesture or hear stories about the "old" Sparky. Ignore it. The current iteration is the one that matters.
- Visit the Statue: There is a massive Sparky statue at the south end of the stadium. It’s a tradition for players to touch it before they take the field. It’s also the best spot for the "I was here" photo without the crowd of the main gates.
- Check the Merch History: Because of the 2013 redesign fail, there are actually "collectible" items with the "ugly" Sparky on them. If you find one at a thrift store in Tempe, grab it—it’s a hilarious piece of ASU failure history.
Sparky remains one of the most recognizable figures in the NCAA because he doesn't try to be cute. He’s a bit weird, he’s definitely hot, and he’s always looking for trouble. That’s exactly what a Sun Devil should be.