Arizona State Sun Devils History

"Let's Call Them Sun Devils"

Sparky
It was the summer of 1946 when someone uttered those words for the first time. But who? That's a question that has haunted Arizona State University historians for years. The nickname "Sun Devils" is the third in the school's 108-year history. When the second Tempe Normal football team opened play in 1889, the student body chose "Owls" for its moniker. And when Tempe Normal became Arizona State Teachers College, "Owls" became "Bulldogs."

The State Press, the student newspaper, ran frequent appeals during the fall of 1946, urging the Bulldog to be replaced by the new Sun Devil. And on November 8, 1946, the student body voted 819 to 196 to make the change. On November 20, says The Arizona Republic, the student council made it official. The following day, the first Arizona State team played as the Sun Devils.

The basketball team, coached by Rudy Lavik and manned by Ed Long, Ralph Bassett, Bob Chastain, Carl Heath and Barry Arney, defeated the Mesa Jaycees, 42-38, at the Mesa High School gymnasium and launched the Sun Devil in victory.

The problem of drawing the Sun Devil was handed over to the late Bert Anthony, an artist for Walt Disney. Anthony, creator of the defunct Stanford Indian symbol, designed the current Sun Devil imp, "Sparky."

Sun Devil Marching Band

The Arizona State Sun Devil Marching Band is one of the nation's most highly acclaimed marching organizations, truly representing "Sun Devil Pride." The band is nationally recognized from appearances at the Fiesta Bowl, Holiday Bowl, Freedom Bowl and the Rose Bowl. In 1991, the Sun Devil Marching Band was awarded the Sudler Trophy at the November 9th Homecoming game. The band was the tenth university band to receive the Sudler Trophy and the first Pac-10 band to receive this prestigious award.

The Sudler Trophy award is voted on by all NCAA schools who have Division I football. The band's innovative marching style combines pageantry, corps style marching, and precision drill routines that are all set to the best in exciting music. This year's group numbers is the largest marching band in ASU history with 350 members. They represent 29 states and all 11 of the academic colleges of the University. Dr. Robert C. Fleming, Associate Director of Bands, is in his 24th year as director of the Sun Devil Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Concert Band and the Basketball Pep Bands.

The Arizona State University band program is under the leadership of Dr. Richard E. Strange, Director of Bands. Dr. Strange also is in his 24th year as conductor of the ASU Symphonic Band which has presented "by invitation only" concerts for all of the top band and music educator organizations in the nation.

Our marching band staff includes graduate assistants Greg Handel and Timothy Trost, flag instructors Debbie Wilson and Bridget Butler, dance instructor Michele Fleming and percussion instructor William Meldrum. Drum majors are Michelle Butcher, Ginger Lockhart, Tawnya Milligan and Cheryl Muller. The band administrative assistant is Susan Oliver. The band office (965-4392) is located in Gammage Auditorium in Room 213.
 

Alma Mater
Where The Bold Saguaros
Raise Their Arms On High
Praying Strength For Brave
Tomorrows
From The Western Sky
Where Eternal Mountains
Kneel At Sunset's Gate
Here We Hail Thee, Alma
Mater
Arizona State

ASU Fight Song
Fight, Devils Down The Field
Fight With Your Might and Don't
Ever Yield
Long May Our Colors Outshine All
Others
Echo From The Buttes, Give 'Em
Hell Devils!
Cheer, Cheer For A-S-U
Fight For The Old Maroon
For it's Hail, Hail, The Gang's All
Here
And It's Onward to Victory!

Arizona State Sports Hall of Fame

The Arizona State University Sports Hall of Fame was established in 1975 to honor the school's most distinguished student-athletes in all sports.

The Hall of Distinction, recognizing outstanding contributions from coaches and administrators, was inaugurated in 1982.

Plaques describing the athletic achievements of each inductee are displayed on the concourse level of the University Activity Center in four separate exhibit areas. It is open for public viewing during normal University hours and during all Activity Center events.

Athletes enshrined in the Hall of Fame are chosen by the Hall of Fame selection committee, composed of administrators, staff faculty, and lay people close to the University's athletic program.

Sports Hall of Fame selection is based on one or more of the following criteria: all-America recognition; NCAA champion; world record setter; Olympic medal; NCAA statistical leader; and significant contribution to sports and graduation.

Athletes become eligible for enshrinement 10 years after their senior class has graduated.

It has been said by many respected individuals in the world of sports that the Sports Hall of Fame at ASU is one of the best, if not THE best, in the nation in terms of the number of sports represented and the quality of athletes in the hall.