Television personality and AZfoothills.com columnist Nadine Toren is scouring the area, finding savvy Valley features, bringing readers “on the scene.” Every day she’ll introduce you to celebrities, athletes, and give you an inside look into local events and hot spots. She'll touch on topical issues, and keep AZ fans posted on all the big talkers around town.
Ever wonder who rocks the Sparky mask? Well, we're introducing you to the guy behind ASU's devilish attire...
He got a make-over just in time for football season. His fork is surely more powerful and his gear made national headlines. Yes, the new Sun Devil uniform is topping the list for cool college uniforms nationwide; that, according to Sparky himself.
I actually got the chance to meet Sparky…and talk to him. In fact, the guy behind the devilish costume has quite an angelic face and wants to eventually become a sports broadcaster.
He chose to keep his true identity anonymous, but shared a lot about his life beyond the college mascot. Our Sparky interviewee is actually one of the three Sparkys at ASU’s Tempe campus. He sweats through his Sun Devil costume during games—it’s about 8-12 degrees hotter when he’s masked.
“I lose 3-7 pounds of water weight per football game,” said Sparky.
And he probably loses more weight considering Sparky has to be quite athletic.
“I’ve easily done 400-500 push-ups since I joined the Sprit Team 3 years ago.”
Our Sparky grew up in California, playing baseball throughout college. His dream of going pro was shattered when he got injured in high school, so he was forced to change his plan of action.
He chose ASU because of the attractive college atmosphere. When he’s not socializing with fans, you can probably find our Sparky on Mill Avenue. (He’s also the Chapter President of his fraternity.) And if you’re into the devilish frat-boy type, this mascot is on the market. Yep, he’s looking for a lovely, laid-back, drama-free lady that understands the role of his job.
“I’m often around a lot of girls, especially the Sprit Squad dancers. That’s a huge perk.”
He’s been in the Sparky biz since his sophomore year—he’s now a senior. He says the job is really enjoyable, and he even gets to travel with the team.
“Last year I went to the USC game. It was cool seeing Snoop Dogg and Will Ferrell in the stands.”
But he refrained from forking them.
The communication major is minoring in Spanish, and hopes his Sparky experience will eventually lead him to ESPN. He says he’s proud to wear the mask, as he gets to meet tons of people, attend charity events, and represent the college he oh-so-loves.
“Being Sparky is the best thing in my life.”
And you can meet the Valley’s favorite devil. Just head to Sun Devil Stadium Friday, September 9th; that’s when the Sun Devils plan on beating the Mizzou Tigers. It’s a black-out affair, so arrive draped in dark colors. For more information, visit www.thesundevils.com.
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