Login

Register | Forgot Your Password? | Close
Pretty much from the moment Arizona State University unveiled its new "Sparky" on March 1, backlash to the change has been fierce.

Fans and alumni alike took to social media and other avenues to voice their displeasure with the mascot's new look, with many trying to figure out what it most closely resembled.

And none of the options were particularly flattering.

Well, the school heard the outcry and has decided to ask for a do-over, so to speak. ASU announced Tuesday it will ask fans to design the new mascot.

From a press release:

"Sparky is one of the best-loved mascots in collegiate athletics," said Rocky Harris, senior associate athletic director for external relations. "The university is proud that so many people are passionate about him. We have listened and now we want to give members of the Sun Devil nation the opportunity to provide their input on some of the costume's features."

The school will develop a program that will enable the Sun Devil community to pick the features of the costume's head and face. Students, alumni, season ticket holders, donors, faculty and staff will be eligible to vote.

Voting will take place from April 22 to May 5.

Arizona Sports,

11 Comments   |   Join the conversation »
  • Add A Comment 
  • Abuse
    Lee A. wrote...
    Glad They Dumped that Stupid New Design
    But now I gotta wonder what the "input" from the fans will result in? Just keep the old Sparky.... please!
  • Abuse
    Patrick Peterson's Talent wrote...
    Silly ASU
    Don't you know that us Wildcats are going to destroy the "input" and make him look worse?
  • Abuse
    Hummer71 wrote...
    Funny how people are.
    Did you notice how the crowd at the live unveiling cheered and applauded? Funny how people feel obligated to follow officials and presenters even though they disagree. Not to be Sigmund Freud here but found that interesting.
  • Abuse
    sundevil7901 wrote...
    How about
    we keep the mascot we have? I love the new uniforms, but tweaking the mascot is just getting cute.
  • Abuse
    SurpriseMe wrote...
    always get input before
    people like to have a say. They like to feel they matter and their voice heard. The logo/mascot and all should have from the beginning got the public to share their ideas, give their input. They could have used it as a marketing tool but screwed up and now trying to fix it. I guess that is why they are in school they are just not that smart. lol
  • Abuse
    Scott R. wrote...
    RE: Silly ASU
    Hey Patrick, Sparky can never look any worse than your feral wilbur and his hopefully spayed girlfriend wilma.
  • Abuse
    ano99 wrote...
    RE: New Sparky is no more
    Wow how novel? Let the ASU community select a new Sparky? I think the person/people who are responsible for choosing this Sparky without ASU community feedback should leave. I also think keeping the old Sparky should be an option, and I'd vote for that option.
  • Abuse
    jeffaz02t wrote...
    @Patrick Peterson's Talent
    @Patrick Peterson's Talent I know reading is likely not the strong point of UA fans, but how would UA fans screw up the voting when the article clearly states that "students, alumni, season ticket holders, donors, faculty and staff will be eligible to vote." Nowhere did it say that unemployed vagrants would be eligible to vote, thus no UA input allowed.
  • Abuse
    asuswimteam wrote...
    the mascot
    is this what they are wasting are money on i am guessing changing it was not cheap this time they keep raising the turition and i am a student so they need to cover exspense like this and thats why they are talking about another increase this does not look good at all when we pay 2500 for one class as it is thats not cheap and student loans and they are wasting my money on redoing the mascot this is irratating when I have to work full time to spend my money on my education and the money is not being used the way it should and they waste it on this. and redoing it will cost alot again.
  • Abuse
    cfroelich11 wrote...
    @Patrick Peterson's Talent
    Yeah! What the guy above me said!
Standings
Schedule
Team Leaders
close

Share: