Why Sparty Is The Best Mascot In The NCAA

I’ve been pretty vocal about my admiration for Michigan State Spartans athletics. I grew up going to MSU spring football camps to do drills with the players, got my fall started at Midnight Madness with the basketball teams, and have been to numerous games. I still have my first football ticket sitting on my shelf, a win against Wisconsin as time expired.

Get our free mobile app

But across every sport MSU participates in, one connecting figure symbolizes the fan in all of us: Sparty. The mascot who, no matter how well the teams are doing, is recognized by fans and foes alike.

Michael Hickey, Getty Images

He is arguably one of college sports' faces. I would run around as Sparty in NCAA 06 on the PS2, and be ecstatic that my Mascot was in a game. So when I saw USA Today rank Sparty #2 in its top 10 mascots, I was surprised. Second is a good rank; don’t get me wrong, only surpassed by Aubie the Tiger from Auburn.

READ MORE: Why Michigan Has No Mascot Despite Being The 'Wolverines'

Sparty criminally not being in the Mascot Hall of Fame is a pretty good reason not to rank as #1. But I argue that Sparty is just as iconic a mascot as Aubie the Tiger. This is just a fan’s thoughts, not any crazy declarations.

Domenic Centofanti, Getty Images

Sparty, back in his original papier-mache head days, was a living, breathing mascot twenty-four years before Aubie made his leap from drawing to mascot. Aubie, to its credit, became a full-body mascot about 10 years before Sparty’s muscled physique roamed East Lansing, but I'd argue Sparty is at the core of student life.

One of the biggest honors and traditions that speaks to how ingrained Sparty is is when the student who has secretly been donning the costume throughout their time at the school walks on stage to receive their degree while wearing Sparty’s shows, revealing it to everyone who has helped keep the team spirit alive.

It’s a unique tradition that i think really encapsulates his relationship with the program. So yes, Aubie has Sparty beat on the list, but he’s number 1 in my (very biased) heart.