Editing Arizona State University (section)

==Traditions==
===Maroon and gold===
[[Gold]] is the oldest color associated with Arizona State University and dates back to 1896 when the school was named the Tempe Normal School.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://alumni.asu.edu/remember/traditions |title=Sun Devil Traditions &#124; ASU Alumni Association |publisher=Alumni.asu.edu |date=April 26, 2014 |access-date=July 8, 2014 |archive-date=August 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140823002520/https://alumni.asu.edu/remember/traditions |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Maroon]] and [[white]] were later added to the color scheme in 1898. Gold signifies the "golden promise" of ASU. The promise includes every student receiving a valuable educational experience. Gold also signifies the sunshine Arizona is famous for; including the power of the sun and its influence on the climate and the economy. The first uniforms worn by athletes associated with the university were black and white when the "Normals" were the name of the athletic teams. The student section, known as The Inferno, wears gold on game days.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://eoss.asu.edu/getinvolved/traditions|title=ASU Dean of Students: Traditions|publisher=Arizona State University|access-date=July 2, 2018|archive-date=July 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702233454/https://eoss.asu.edu/getinvolved/traditions|url-status=live}}</ref> Maroon signifies sacrifice and bravery while white represents the balance of negativity and positivity. As it is in the city of [[Tempe, Arizona]], the school's colors adorn the neighboring buildings during big game days and festive events.<ref>"Emotional and Psychological Meaning of Colours." ''MyLifeMyStuff''. N.p., April 26, 2012. Web. January 21, 2016.</ref>

===Mascot and Spirit Squad===
{{Main|Sparky the Sun Devil}}
[[Sparky the Sun Devil]] is the mascot of Arizona State University and was named by vote of the student body on November 8, 1946.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thesundevils.com/sports/2013/4/17/208256866.aspx|title=Sparky|publisher=The Sun Devils|access-date=July 2, 2018|archive-date=July 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702233204/https://thesundevils.com/sports/2013/4/17/208256866.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> Sparky often travels with the team across the country and has been at every football [[bowl game]] in which the university has participated. The university's mascot is not to be confused with the athletics department's logo, the ''Pitchfork'' or hand gesture used by those associated with the university. The new logo is used on various sport facilities, uniforms and athletics documents.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-st-sun-devils/2011/4/12/2106994/arizona-state-university-asu-sun-devils-to-unveil-new-uniforms-colors-logo-etc |title=ASU's Uniforms And Logos Set To Make Debut: Consider The Fork, Feared – SB Nation Arizona |date=April 12, 2011 |publisher=Arizona.sbnation.com |access-date=July 8, 2014 |archive-date=October 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013152705/http://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-st-sun-devils/2011/4/12/2106994/arizona-state-university-asu-sun-devils-to-unveil-new-uniforms-colors-logo-etc |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/arizona-state-university-and-nike-unveil-new-look-sun-devils-sparky-gets-demoted-6632432|title=Arizona State University and Nike Unveil New-Look Sun Devils; Sparky Gets Demoted|last=Hendley|first=Matthew|date=April 12, 2011|website=Phoenix New Times|access-date=July 2, 2018|archive-date=July 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702233242/http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/arizona-state-university-and-nike-unveil-new-look-sun-devils-sparky-gets-demoted-6632432|url-status=live}}</ref> Arizona State Teacher's College had a different mascot and the sports teams were known as the Owls and later, the Bulldogs. When the school was first established, the Tempe Normal School's teams were simply known as the Normals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.asu.edu/lib/archives/asustory/pdf/33Aathlet.pdf|title=Normals to Bulldogs to Sun Devils: ASU's mascot has evolved along with university|publisher=Arizona State University|date=April 20, 1987|access-date=July 2, 2018|url-status=live|archive-date=April 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411214054/https://www.asu.edu/lib/archives/asustory/pdf/33Aathlet.pdf}}</ref> Sparky is visible on the sidelines of every home game played in [[Sun Devil Stadium]] or other ASU athletic facilities. His routine at football games includes pushups after every touchdown scored by the Sun Devils. He is aided by Sparky's Crew, male yell leaders that must meet physical requirements to participate as members. The female members are known as the Spirit Squad and are categorized into a dance line and spirit line. They are the official squad that represents ASU. The spirit squad competes every year at the ESPN Universal Dance Association (UDA) College Nationals in the Jazz and Hip-Hop categories. They were chosen by the UDA to represent the US at the World Dance Championship 2013 in the Jazz category.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sundevilband.asu.edu/bands/sun-devil-marching-band/spirit-squad|title=Athletic Bands: Spirit Squad|publisher=Arizona State University|access-date=July 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702233457/https://sundevilband.asu.edu/bands/sun-devil-marching-band/spirit-squad|archive-date=July 2, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

==="A" Mountain===
{{Main|Tempe Butte}}
{{multiple image |total_width=400 |direction=horizontal |align=right
|image1=A-Mountain Sunset.jpg|caption1=[[Hayden Butte]], also known as "A" Mountain
|image2=Whitewashing "A" Mountain, Tempe Butte on Arizona State University Campus.jpg|caption2="Echo from the Buttes", the annual painting of the "A" by freshmen
}}

A letter has existed on the slope of the mountain since 1918. A "T" followed by an "N" were the first letters to grace the landmark. [[Tempe Butte]], home to "A" Mountain, has had the "A" installed on the slope of its south face since 1938 and is visible from campus just to the south. The original "A" was destroyed by vandals in 1952 with pipe bombs, and a new "A", constructed of reinforced concrete, was built in 1955.<ref name="a">{{cite web |url=http://www.asu.edu/tour/tempe/amtn.html |title=ASU Tempe Campus Tour: "A" Mountain |publisher=Asu.edu |access-date=July 8, 2014 |archive-date=January 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140122054928/http://www.asu.edu/tour/tempe/amtn.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The vandals were never identified, but many speculate the conspirators were students from the rival in-state university (University of Arizona). Many ancient [[Hohokam]] [[petroglyph]]s were destroyed by the bomb; nevertheless, many of these archeological sites around the mountain remain. There are many traditions surrounding "A" Mountain, including a revived "guarding of the 'A'" in which students camp on the mountainside before games with rival schools.<ref name="a" /> "Echo from the Buttes" is a tradition in which incoming freshmen paint the letter white during orientation week; it is repainted gold before the first football game of the season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.asu.edu/20190822-sun-devil-life-echo-from-buttes-old-tradition-new-name|first=Marshall|last=Terrill|date=August 22, 2019|title=Echo From the Buttes: Old tradition, new name|work=ASU News}}</ref> The practice dated back to the 1930s and grew in popularity, with thousands of students going up to paint the "A" every year.<ref>{{cite news|title=Carelessness, painting of the 'A', vandalism take a toll on mountain|url=http://www.azcentral.com/community/tempe/articles/20110820tempe-hayden-butte-a-mountain-toll.html|work=[[The Arizona Republic]]|access-date=February 2, 2016|archive-date=February 26, 2022|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20220226073949/https://help.azcentral.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Lantern Walk and Homecoming===
[[File:Lantern Walk.jpg|thumb|upright|Old newspaper clipping describing the Lantern Walk tradition at ASU, May 30, 1929]]
The Lantern Walk is one of the oldest traditions at ASU and dates back to 1917.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://homecoming.asu.edu/lantern-walk|title=Lantern Walk|publisher=Arizona State University|access-date=July 2, 2018|archive-date=July 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702233506/https://homecoming.asu.edu/lantern-walk|url-status=live}}</ref> It is considered one of ASU's "most cherished" traditions and is an occasion used to mark the work of those associated with ASU throughout history. Anyone associated with ASU is free to participate in the event, including students, alumni, faculty, employees, and friends. This differs slightly from the original tradition in which the seniors would carry lanterns up "A" Mountain followed by the freshman. The senior class president would describe ASU's traditions and the freshman would repeat an oath of allegiance to the university. It was described as a tradition of "good will between the classes" and a way of ensuring new students would continue the university's traditions with honor. In modern times, the participants walk through campus and follow a path up to "A" Mountain to "light up" Tempe. Keynote speakers, performances, and other events are used to mark the occasion. The night is culminated with a fireworks display. The Lantern Walk was held after the Spring Semester (June) but is now held the week before [[Homecoming]], a tradition that dates to 1924 at ASU. It is held in the fall and in conjunction with a football game.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://homecoming.asu.edu/ |title=ASU homecoming &#124; ASU Homecoming |publisher=Homecoming.asu.edu |access-date=July 8, 2014 |archive-date=July 8, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140708221311/http://homecoming.asu.edu/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Victory Bell===
[[File:ASU Victory Bell in 1956.jpg|thumb|Ringing of the Victory Bell, Arizona State University {{circa|1956}}]]
In 2012, Arizona State University reintroduced the tradition of ringing a bell after each win for the football team.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://asunews.asu.edu/20121119_victorybell |title=Sun Devil Athletics brings back Victory Bell in return to tradition &#124; ASU News |publisher=Asunews.asu.edu |date=November 19, 2012 |access-date=July 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222045035/https://asunews.asu.edu/20121119_victorybell}}</ref> The ROTC cadets associated with the university transport the bell to various events and ring it after Sun Devil victories. The first Victory Bell, in various forms, was used in the 1930s but the tradition faded in the 1970s when the bell was removed from Memorial Union for renovations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.asu.edu/lib/archives/asustory/pages/30casc.htm |title=ASU Libraries: The New ASU Story: Campus Lives – Campus Scenes |publisher=Asu.edu |access-date=July 8, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514151316/http://www.asu.edu/lib/archives/asustory/pages/30casc.htm |archive-date=May 14, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> The bell cracked and was no longer capable of ringing. That bell is on the southeast corner of Sun Devil Stadium, near the entrance to the student section. That bell, given to the university in the late 1960s, is painted gold and is a campus landmark.

===Sun Devil Marching Band, Devil Walk and songs of the university===
{{Main|Sun Devil Marching Band}}
[[File:BatteryPregameCadence.jpg|thumb|right|[[Arizona State University Sun Devil Marching Band|Sun Devil Marching Band]] Battery, performing the pregame [[drum cadence]] in 2007]]
The [[Sun Devil Marching Band|Arizona State University Sun Devil Marching Band]], created in 1915 and known as the "Pride of the Southwest", was the first of only two [[marching band]]s in the Pac-12 to receive the prestigious [[Sudler trophy#The Sudler Trophy|Sudler Trophy]].<ref name="history">{{cite web|url=https://sundevilband.asu.edu/history|title=Sun Devil Marching Band: History|publisher=Arizona State University|access-date=July 2, 2018|archive-date=July 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703021939/https://sundevilband.asu.edu/history|url-status=live}}</ref> The John Philip Sousa Foundation awarded the band the trophy in 1991. The Sun Devil Marching Band remains one of only 28 bands in the nation to have earned the designation. The band performs at every football game played in Sun Devil Stadium. In addition, the Sun Devil Marching Band has made appearances in the Fiesta Bowl, the Rose Bowl, the Holiday Bowl, and the [[Super Bowl XLII]], in addition to many others.<ref name="history" /> Smaller ensembles of band members perform at other sport venues including basketball games at [[Wells Fargo Arena (Tempe, Arizona)|Wells Fargo Arena]] and baseball games. The Devil Walk is held in Wells Fargo Arena by the football team and involves a more formal introduction of the players to the community; a new approach to the tradition added in 2012 with the arrival of [[head coach]] [[Todd Graham]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thesundevils.com/news/2013/4/17/208257004.aspx|title=Arizona State University Official Athletic Site – Gameday|publisher=Arizona State University|date=April 17, 2013|access-date=July 2, 2018|archive-date=July 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703021904/https://thesundevils.com/news/2013/4/17/208257004.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> It begins 2 hours and 15 minutes prior to the game and allows the players to establish rapport with the fans. The walk ends as the team passes the band and fans lined along the path to Sun Devil Stadium. The walk was discontinued when Graham was fired. However, in 2022, interim coach [[Shaun Aguano]] announced that the Sun Devil Walk is returning.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2022/09/23/asu-football-pleads-support-fanbase-against-utah/ | title=ASU football pleads for support from fanbase vs. No. 13 Utah | date=September 23, 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=aguanos on Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/aguanos/status/1573143296687443972 |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=Twitter |language=en}}</ref> The most recognizable songs played by the band are "Alma Mater" and ASU's [[fight songs]] titled "[[Maroon and gold|Maroon and Gold]]" and the "Al Davis Fight Song". "Alma Mater" was composed by former Music Professor and Director of Sun Devil Marching Band (then known as Bulldog Marching Band), Miles A. Dresskell, in 1937.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://alumni.asu.edu/remember/traditions-arizona-state-university/songs |title=Songs &#124; ASU Alumni Association |publisher=Alumni.asu.edu |date=April 26, 2014 |access-date=July 8, 2014 |archive-date=August 31, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140831152831/https://alumni.asu.edu/remember/traditions-arizona-state-university/songs |url-status=dead }}</ref> "Maroon and Gold" was authored by former Director of Sun Devil Marching Band, Felix E. McKernan, in 1948. The "Al Davis Fight Song" (also known as "Go, Go Sun Devils" and "Arizona State University Fight Song") was composed by ASU alumnus Albert Oliver Davis in the 1940s without any lyrics. Recently lyrics were added to the song.<ref name="history" />

===Curtain of Distraction===
The Curtain of Distraction is a tradition that appears at every men's and women's basketball game. The tradition started in 2013 in order to get fans to the games. In the second half of basketball games, a portable "curtain" opens up in front of the opponents shooting a free throw and students pop out of the curtain to try and distract the opponent. Some of the skits include an Elvis impersonator, people rubbing mayonnaise on their chest, and people wearing unicorn heads.<ref name="autogenerated2">{{Cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/page/fansectionfeaturearizonastate/arizona-state-curtain-distraction |title=Inside student sections: Arizona State and the Curtain of Distraction |date=February 11, 2019 |work=ESPN.com |access-date=February 23, 2022 |archive-date=February 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223045526/https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/page/fansectionfeaturearizonastate/arizona-state-curtain-distraction |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2016, former Olympian [[Michael Phelps]] came out of the curtain wearing a Speedo during a game against Oregon State.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2016/01/28/michael-phelps-to-make-guest-appearance-in-college-basketballs-nuttiest-tradition/ |title=Michael Phelps went full Speedo for Arizona State's 'Curtain of Distraction' |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=2016-01-29 |accessdate=2022-02-26 |archive-date=March 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308111333/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2016/01/28/michael-phelps-to-make-guest-appearance-in-college-basketballs-nuttiest-tradition/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ESPN estimated that distraction may give ASU a one-to-three point advantage.<ref name="autogenerated2"/>