Original Story, June 14, 2012.

There are many traditions at Arizona State for the football team. Some have stood the test of time, while others faded into obscurity. One of my favorite traditions went by the wayside last season: Sparky stomping the bus.

It was a spirited, passion-filled video that brought the fans to their feet. For years, Sparky would cross the vast state of Arizona, marching from the Grand Canyon, through Camp Tontozona before finally reaching the city of Tempe. Upon his arrival at Sun Devil Stadium, Sparky would stomp on the enemy bus before stepping onto Frank Kush Field and placing his pitchfork into the grass.

Every time I saw that bus get crushed, I went insane. There was no better way to prepare myself for kickoff than to see a frenzied group of students swarm around me as I yelled as loudly as I could.

I'm not entirely sure what caused the school to veer away from the bus stomping, but it may have had to do with the school's rebranding for the 2011 season. Shifting away from Sparky, ASU went a new direction with their opening video, but no one will ever forget the way we felt when the bus was crushed.

Get it, Sparky.

UPDATE: August 31, 2012.

Sparky stomping the bus is BACK! ASU is doing all the right things.

See all the previous entries on House of Sparky's 100 day football countdown here.

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