What is the mascot at ASU?

The mascot for Arizona State University (ASU) is Sparky the Sun Devil, a devil character with a trident, chosen by students in 1946 to represent the school's athletic teams, the Sun Devils, and officially named Sparky a few years later, with the current design adopted in 2012.

Why is the ASU mascot a devil?

Arizona State University's mascot is a devil because students voted to change the school's nickname to the Sun Devils in 1946, inspired by the fiery desert climate and local "dust devils," with the official mascot, Sparky, designed by Disney illustrator Bert Anthony to embody this spirited, fiery image. The name connected the school to Arizona's hot, devilish weather and gave them a unique identity, moving away from previous mascots like the Owls and Bulldogs. 

What is a Sun Devil?

A "Sun Devil" primarily refers to the mascot and athletic teams of Arizona State University (ASU), inspired by the dust devils common in Arizona and adopted in 1946; it's a fiery, pitchfork-wielding imp named "Sparky" that embodies school spirit. Outside of ASU, "sun devil" can also refer to certain desert arachnids (like sun spiders or camel spiders) or be used in fantasy/gaming contexts for fiery creatures.
 

Why is ASU called Sparky?

ASU is called Sparky because he is the personification of the "Sun Devil" mascot, a name chosen by students in 1946, with the character designed in 1948 by Disney illustrator Berk Anthony, who reportedly based Sparky's face on Walt Disney, adding to the "spark" and devilish energy, though Anthony said it was unintentional, making Sparky a beloved, fiery mascot with a pitchfork.
 

What are ASU students called?

Arizona State University (ASU) students are called Sun Devils, a nickname adopted by the student body in 1946, with their mascot being Sparky the Sun Devil, reflecting the university's spirited identity and traditions. 

Evolution of Sparky the mascot: Arizona State University (ASU)

Is ASU a coke or Pepsi school?

Leslie Wyatt assumed the office of university president and received the presidential medallion 𝗝𝗨𝗟𝗬 𝟭, 𝟭𝟵𝟵𝟵 – ASU switched from Coke to Pepsi products on campus after signing a $1.5 million deal with Delta Beverage Group. First class to have an Arkansas State University diploma….

What is the Sparky hand symbol?

"Forks Up" is the hand sign inspired by Sparky's pitchfork. It was introduced as a rival gesture to the University of Arizona's "Bear Down" and has since become an essential part of ASU traditions.

Did any billionaires go to ASU?

Yes, at least one prominent billionaire, Joe Shoen (U-Haul CEO), attended Arizona State University (ASU) and earned his law degree there in 1981, while others associated with the university, like philanthropist Ira Fulton, are well-known for their significant contributions, even if not all are traditional "alumni" billionaires. 

Is ASU a dry campus?

Yes, Arizona State University (ASU) is officially a dry campus, meaning alcohol is prohibited for all ages on university property, including residence halls, with sanctions for violations. While this policy is strict for campus grounds, exceptions exist for permitted events and specific off-campus locations like sporting venues, where beer and wine might be available with permits or for those 21+.
 

What does it mean when a girl calls you Sparky?

lively; vivacious; spirited.

Is ASU still a big party school?

ASU still has a significant party scene due to its large size, location near Scottsdale, and strong Greek life, but its reputation has shifted from being solely a "party school" to a more balanced university with a strong academic focus (notably #1 in Innovation) under President Crow, meaning students can find intense parties if they look, but also a large variety of academic and social options. While official rankings have dropped (e.g., Niche 2025 ranked ASU 62nd), parties remain a big part of the culture for many, with options almost every night, though rules on campus are stricter. 

What is Arizona's state slogan?

Arizona Slogan: "The Grand Canyon State".

The State Motto is: "Ditat Deus" which means: God Enriches. The Arizona State Bird is the Cactus Wren and the State Flower of Arizona is the Saguaro Cactus Flower.

What is a sun god called?

In Germanic mythology, the solar deity is Sol; in Vedic, Surya; and in Greek, Helios (occasionally referred to as Titan) and (sometimes) as Apollo. In Proto-Indo-European mythology the sun appears to be a multilayered figure manifested as a deity but also perceived as the eye of the sky father Dyeus.

What is the strangest college mascot?

Weirdest college mascots often involve bizarre creatures, inanimate objects, or funny concepts, with top contenders including Stanford's Tree, St. Louis's Billiken, Xavier's Blue Blob, Williams' Purple Cow, and UCSC's Banana Slug, plus oddities like Purdue Pete (a creepy hammer-wielding construction worker) and Evergreen State's Geoduck (a giant clam), showcasing unique school spirit beyond typical animals. 

Why is the ASU logo a trident?

Sparky the Sun Devil

On Nov. 8, 1946, the student body voted 819 to 196 to change the mascot to a Sun Devil. Two years later, alumnus and Disney illustrator Bert Anthony designed “Sparky,” a devil holding a trident (colloquially referred to as a pitchfork).

What does Sparky do after each ASU touchdown?

After the Sun Devils score a touchdown, the marching band plays the fight song and Sparky is hoisted onto a board and does one pushup for every point on the scoreboard. The crowd counts each pushup.

What is the #1 party university?

For 2026, the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) is widely ranked as the #1 party college in the U.S., according to Niche data, holding onto the top spot from the previous year, followed closely by institutions like Florida State University and Tulane University, with rankings based on student surveys and campus party scenes. Other strong contenders often mentioned include the University of Alabama, University of Wisconsin, and University of Southern California (USC). 

What is not allowed in ASU dorms?

Prohibited items

Non UL (Underwriters Laboratories) approved items. Ex: Decorative lighting, small appliances, surge protectors. Cigarettes, E-Cigarettes, Cigars, Pipes, Hookahs, etc. are prohibited in our residential facilities.

Why does Starbucks partner with ASU?

Starbucks collaborates with ASU to solve a variety of business challenges. Aiming to serve as a university branch within the company, ASU harnesses the power and global reach of our esteemed faculty and staff, exemplary students, and state-of-the-art labs and facilities to further drive value for Starbucks.

Who is the richest family in Arizona?

Seven Arizona billionaires, including father and son used car magnates, made the 2025 Forbes list of the 400 richest people in America. Ernest Garcia II is the Grand Canyon State's wealthiest individual. His estimated net worth of $23.1 billion puts him at No. 42 overall on the Forbes list, which came out Tuesday.

Is ASU really ahead of MIT and Stanford?

Yes, Arizona State University (ASU) is consistently ranked #1 in Innovation by U.S. News & World Report, ahead of MIT and Stanford, for over a decade, but this reflects specific metrics like curriculum, technology, and societal impact, while overall rankings for other areas like overall prestige, research power, or specific STEM fields might differ, so it depends on what "ahead" means to you. ASU leads in innovation because of its focus on bold ideas and reimagining education, while MIT and Stanford often top general rankings or specialized science/tech lists. 

How to respond to 🖖?

The less-well-known reply is "peace and long life", though it is sometimes said first, with "live long and prosper" as the reply.

What does the 🖖 hand gesture mean?

The 🖖 emoji (Vulcan Salute) from Star Trek, meaning "Live Long and Prosper," has no inherent meaning in American Sign Language (ASL), as its handshape isn't a valid ASL sign, though some people might link it to Jewish priestly blessings (Hebrew letter "Shin") or, in some online contexts, misinterpret it as a "white power" symbol (WP). It's primarily a pop culture reference from Leonard Nimoy's character, Spock, originating from a Jewish tradition but popularized by the show. 

What is a Sun Devil in Arizona State?

In Arizona, a "Sun Devil" is the official mascot and nickname for the athletic teams and students of Arizona State University (ASU) in Tempe, known as the Arizona State Sun Devils. The mascot, a devil with horns and a pitchfork named "Sparky," was adopted in 1946 after students voted to change from previous nicknames like the Bulldogs, inspired by dust devils in the desert and a desire for a stronger identity, notes this article from ASU News and this article from the Arizona Memory Project.