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Calling all faculty, staff: are you ASU's 'Most Spirited Sun Devil?'


pitchforks in the sunset
August 22, 2013

Calling all faculty and staff Devils: the time has come to don your best maroon and gold, raise those pitchforks high and show your Sun Devil pride.

Is your office decked to the nines with Devil gear? Have you memorized the Fight Song by heart? Do you fall asleep at night clutching your prized Sparky doll? Then you just might be ASU’s Most Spirited Sun Devil.

“Faculty and staff engagement is very important in maintaining spirit and tradition within a university community,” says Martha Byrd, executive director of operations for the ASU Alumni Association. “Each year, we look forward to having even more Sun Devils join in the festivities that celebrate the rich history and promising future of this university.”

With that in mind, this fall, ASU will be introducing the first-ever Most Spirited Sun Devil Award for university faculty and staff. We’re looking for the most die-hard Devils to participate in this celebration of spirit, in which four finalists will compete for the chance to ride in the Homecoming Parade and be announced during this year’s Homecoming football game as ASU’s Most Spirited Sun Devil.

Four finalists will be chosen throughout the fall by a committee of ASU spirit captains. Each finalist will be announced at a separate, home football game – beginning with the season opener on Sept. 5 – in an on-field recognition that will be played on the video board for all to see. Each finalist also will be awarded a certificate and the winner will be acknowledged with a special, commemorative gift.

Any true Devil knows the importance of having spirit and, in the words of Todd Graham, head football coach, “Having the backing of the ASU community makes all the difference when our athletes are competing. The tradition, the customs that go along with sporting events – all of it helps enhance the experience for student-athletes, coaches, staff, fans, supporters and alumni. Believing in your community and showing pride are essential to sustaining the heart, the conviction, the discipline and the character that it takes to be a Sun Devil.”

During the 2012 football season, dual-threat quarterback Taylor Kelly threw a touchdown pass in all but one game. He, too, credits the enthusiasm of Sun Devil fans as a driving force behind student-athletes’ desire to compete at their very best. “When we score a touchdown and we hear the roar of the crowd, it makes all the hard work worth it,” he said. “Even just seeing the fans on their way to the game, with all their ASU gear on – it makes us feel special and we strive to make the fans proud.”

To participate, you will need to submit a short paragraph – in the form of a Word document – explaining why you are the most spirited faculty or staff member. Tell us how you show your spirit and why you deserve to win. Participants can either be nominated by another party or they can nominate themselves. Photos of you displaying your spirit are highly encouraged.

To enter, send your paragraph and photos to: Maria.Symington@asu.edu.

Don’t forget to check back weekly with ASU Insight for updates. Now go forth, fellow Sun Devils, and spread the word: it’s game time!

Editor’s note: The second finalist will be announced at the Blackout game against Wisconsin, Sept. 14.