An ASU legend has passed away today. Affectionately known as "Kaji", Bill Kajikawa was an influential building block of the football, basketball, and baseball programs at Arizona State.

Here is some information from the official press release:

Kajikawa began his coaching career at Arizona State in 1937 and retired from ASU in 1978. He began coaching the Arizona State Teacher’s College freshman football team in 1937, when the players were known as the Bulldogs.  During his tenure, Kajikawa watched the Bulldogs become the Sun Devils in 1946, and he saw his alma mater gain university status in 1958.
 
Before retiring in 1978, Kajikawa had worked as the freshman football coach under nine ASU head football coaches.  In addition, he served as head basketball coach from 1948 to 1957, and he was head coach of ASU’s club baseball team from 1947 to 1957.  He was inducted into the Arizona Basketball Hall of Fame in 1968 and the ASU Hall of Distinction in 1982.
 
During World War II, Kajikawa took his only hiatus from ASU to serve with distinction in the Army’s 442nd Regimental Combat Team.  The 442nd, manned entirely by Japanese Americans, was the Army’s most decorated combat unit.
 
He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from ASU in 1937 and 1948, respectively, and he played on the varsity football team while he was an undergraduate. Kajikawa received an honorary doctor of laws degree from ASU during the summer 1989 commencement ceremony.
 
Kajikawa, who was a professor emeritus of physical education at ASU, was recognized on April 6, 1995, in a ceremony that named the Sun Devil football practice field The Bill Kajikawa Practice Facility.

A Sun Devil through and through. Let him always be remembered by the fans that fill the seats, and the players that adorn the maroon and gold.

The Tempe History Museum did a two hour interview with the coach in 1995. You can read the transcript of the interview here. There is some interesting stuff in there.

As many of you have heard, Portland State has been written in permanent marker on the Sun Devils football schedule.  So what does our daunting out of conference schedule look like?  Portland State(FCS), NAU(FCS), and Wisconsin.  Scheduling 2 FCS teams means the Devils have to win 7(assuming they win against both NAU and Portland St.) in order to go to a bowl game.  Like we don't make things difficult enough for ourselves.

Talks with schools like South Florida, Cincinnati, Kansas State, and Nevada all failed, leaving ASU in search of anyone...ANYONE...who was available to play.  What bothers me most about this is Lisa Love sugar-coating the disappointment. 

"We're pleased Portland state said yes, and we'll make it work," ASU Vice President for Athletics Lisa Love said. "We're playing a western regional team. Our fans can appreciate that instead of bringing a (FBS) team from another part of the country they may not be familiar with."

HELLO? No one is familiar with Portland State Football.  I would MUCH rather see a FBS team from a different part of the country that I am not familiar with.  Make it a road game and have ASU travel to a team like Cincy, KSU, USF.  It surely can't hurt for the Devils to play across the country and get some exposure.  I can tell you what ABC/ESPN/CBS/NBC/FSN will not be covering... ASU vs Portland St.  This game will most likely be the lowest attendance of the year.  Portland State was 2-9 last year...in FCS football. Here is to hoping we crush them and avoid any early season embarrassment.

Straight from the press release...

TEMPE, Ariz. – Arizona State University signed 26 student-athletes to national letters of intent Wednesday to study and participate in football, head coach Dennis Erickson announced.
Coach Erickson’s fourth signing class at ASU provides the Sun Devils with excellent talent on both offense and defense and includes players from Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Florida and Pennsylvania.  In four years at ASU, Coach Erickson has signed a total of 29 Arizona natives, an average of more than seven in-state signees per class.  
The class consists of 26 student-athletes, including 20 freshmen and six junior college transfers.
ASU’s Class of 2010 includes:
·      Twenty freshmen, including the highest-rated running back, tight end and defensive end in the state of Arizona.

·      Fifteen offensive players, nine defensive players and two all-purpose athletes.

·      Six junior college transfers at positions of immediate need, including four midyear transfers that have already enrolled at ASU and will participate in spring football drills.

·      Six offensive linemen, the most in an ASU signing class since 2002.

·      Five players rated among the nation’s top-20 at their position: No. 5 FB Carl Bradford (ESPN Scouts, Inc.); No. 14 TE Josh Fulton (Rivals.com); No. 15 OG Sil Ajawara (Rivals.com); No. 18 DE Nduka Onyeali (Rivals.com); No. 20 RB Deantre Lewis (Rivals.com).

·      Two players rated among Rivals.com’s Top-50 Junior College prospects (OL Brice Schwab, No. 9 and WR George Bell, No. 32).

2010 Arizona State University National Letter of Intent Signee List
 
Name                                    Pos.            Yr.            Ht.            Wt.            Hometown (Last School)
Ramon Abreu                        ATH            Fr.            5-10            180            Tempe, Ariz. (Marcos de Niza HS)
Lee Adams                        DL            Fr.            6-2            255            Corona, Calif. (Centennial HS)
Sil Ajawara                        OL            Fr.            6-4            305            Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. (Tesoro HS)
Kevin Anderson                        WR            Fr.            6-1            185            Lakewood, Calif. (Lakewood HS)
George Bell                        WR            Jr.            6-3            195            San Diego, Calif. (Southwestern CC)
Carl Bradford                        LB            Fr.             6-1            230            Norco, Calif. (Norco HS)
Alden Darby                        CB            Fr.            6-0            180            Long Beach, Calif. (Millikan Senior HS)
Chris DeArmas                        OL            Jr.            6-4            305            Miami, Fla. (El Camino JC)
Jamil Douglas                        OL            Fr.            6-5            252            Cypress, Calif. (Cypress HS)
Eddie Elder                        DB            Jr.            6-0            190            Sacramento, Calif. (College of San Mateo)
Josh Fulton                        TE            Fr.            6-5            235            Phoenix, Ariz. (St. Mary’s HS)
Taylor Kelly                        QB            Fr.            6-3            185            Eagle, Idaho (Eagle HS)
Randy Knust                        WR            Fr.            6-3            200            The Woodlands, Texas (The Woodlands HS)
Deantre Lewis                        RB            Fr.            5-10            189            Norco, Calif. (Norco HS)
Jordan McDonald            DE            Fr.            6-4            225            Scottsdale, Ariz. (Saguaro HS)
Kyle Middlebrooks            WR/RB            Fr.            5-9            176            Fountain Valley, Calif. (Fountain Valley HS)
Nduka Onyeali                        DE/LB            Fr.            6-1            240            Denver, Colo. (Mullen HS)
Brice Schwab                        OL            Jr.            6-8            320            West Sunbury, Pa. (Palomar College)
Aderious Simmons            OL            RS-Jr.*            6-7            310            Marrero, La. (El Camino JC)
Devan Spann                        CB            Fr.            5-11            175            Gardena, Calif. (Junipero Serra HS)
Tyler Sulka                        OL            Fr.            6-5            270            Sherman Oaks, Calif. (Notre Dame HS)
Joita Te’i                        DL            Fr.            6-5            255            Oceanside, Calif. (El Camino HS)
Calvin Tonga                        DL            Fr.            6-4            320            Riverside, Calif. (Arlington HS)
Taylor Walstad                        RB            Fr.             5-11            210            Chandler, Ariz. (Chandler HS)
Damien Williams            ATH            Fr.            6-0            205            San Diego, Calif. (Mira Mesa HS)
Mike Willie                        WR            Jr.            6-4            215            Long Beach, Calif. (Cerritos CC)           

It looks like Erickson is recruiting junior college offensive linemen as a top priority this offseason.  El Camino offensive guard Chris DeArmas has committed to the Sun Devils, a 1 star recruit.  Originally a 3-star recruit out of high school and committed to South Flordia, DeArmas ended up going the juco route and has landed with the Sun Devils.  The 6-4 305lb lineman looks to contribute immediately for an oft injured and depleted Sun Devil offensive line.  DeArmas also received offers from FIU, Memphis, Nevada, and South Florida (again).

It looks like Ryan Bass was granted a release and will transfer from ASU.  The often fumbling, speedy, and outspoken Bass had been suspended indefinitely by Erickson the week following the USC game.  Bass struggled throughout his career to hold on to the football.  While he showed bursts of speed (something we could use from the RB position), his tendency to give the ball up kept him off the field.  Bass questioned why he wasn't getting playing time, only to prove to himself the reason.  There seemed to be a disconnect between the coaches and Bass and eventually it ended in the demise of the coach-player relationship.  

Bass is likely to transfer to San Diego State, where his brother played.  We wish him the best and are disappointed that he couldn't contribute more to the Devils in his time here.

Oh, 2009 Sun Devils, we knew thee all too well. From the opening kickoff against Idaho State, all the way through the heart-wrenching loss to Zendejas and the Kitties, we struggled to enjoy this season as fans.

Why is that, exactly? It isn't for a lack of effort on the part of the team. The offense and defense both played admirably, working as hard as they could with the tools they had and the plays that were called.

At times, this team showed potential and a desire to win. But there were just too many obstacles to overcome: an unimaginative running game, horrible kicking from Thomas Weber, and a dearth of prepared talent at the quarterback position.

Was this coaching, or was ASU simply overmatched this season? I daresay it was a bit of both.

Coach Erickson showed he was behind the times in terms of play calling once he took the reins from Rich Olson at the start of the season. Not trying to condemn the man, but his running plays were brutal. Off tackle to the right, anyone?

Lets get this obituary over with, since no one likes torturing themselves.

Apex of the season: The Sun Devils earned their fourth win of the season in incredible fashion, scoring on a last second Hail Mary by Danny Sullivan to a wide open Chris McGaha. At 4-2, enthusiasm for the Devils was at a fever pitch, and everyone thought we might be able to make it to a bowl game.

Barrel-scraping moment(s) of 2009: Where do I begin?

1. ASU loses in heartbreaking fashion to Georgia. The Bulldogs scored a game-winning field goal as time expired to win 20-17.
2. ASU loses in heartbreaking fashion to California. The Golden Bears scored a game-winning field goal with seconds to play, and Danny Sullivan couldn't lead the Devils to victory on a failed Hail Mary attempt.
3. ASU loses in heartbreaking fashion to USC. The Sun Devils are unable to overcome a 5-point deficit and lose 14-9.
4. ASU loses in heartbreaking fashion to Arizona. The Wildcats scored a game-winning field goal as time expired to win 20-17. Sound familiar?

This was the year of "close, but no cigar." Hopefully 2010 brings a new offensive philosophy to the Valley, because the defense is absolutely fine.

The ASU Sun Devils (4-6) take on the UCLA Bruins (5-5) in a game that has potential bowl implications. In reality, Arizona State can only finish 6-6 with wins against UCLA and Arizona, and even then there will be no guarantee of a bowl invitation.

As for UCLA, they are in a much better position to earn a bowl berth. Either way, both teams will have to fight for respect after terrible showings in conference play. UCLA and ASU only have two wins each in conference, with their only victims being Washington and WSU.

ASU sophomore Samson Szakacsy will start for the Sun Devils at QB, and fans are hopeful his quick legs will transfer to a few extra points on the scoreboard today.

A big piece of news coming out of Sun Devil camp today is the return of CB Terell Carr from his suspension. After being arrested on November 10th for three misdemeanors, Carr is back and has suited up for today's game.

Lets discuss this development, and also talk about the Sun Devils/Bruins. Go Devils!

Hey everyone, this message comes to you high atop the press box at the Rose Bowl, where two of your House Of Sparky favorites are currently preparing for today's matchup between UCLA and ASU.

In case you were wondering about our road trip, please feel free to peruse the information below.

4:20 AM: Cory got out of bed, thinking he was late for work. Realized he was super early for a football game.

4:55 AM: Mlev811 (Matt) gets in Cory's car, and says "What's up, gangsta?"

5:03 AM: Dutch Bros is closed. Cory threatens to go America all over everybody's asses.

5:20 AM: The 10-W is covered in photo radars, interspersed with radar vans. Cory doesn't get a ticket, but he wouldn't pay it anyway.

5:29 AM: Wendy's in Goodyear is closed. We were idling at the order screen. Shocked that Wendy's was closed.

5:31 AM: Burger King in Goodyear opens. We were idling at the order screen. Shocked to hear a friendly hispanic voice. Coffees, hash browns, and a croissanwich later, Matt tells Cory he is going to have a stomach ache. Cory tells Matt he's an idiot.

5:37 AM: Matt had previously requested that we listen to the Beach Boys. Cory thought he was kidding, but played it anyway. It was awesome.

5:45 AM: Cory has a stomach ache.

7:10 AM: We cross into California, and now it's 6:10 AM. We wonder why we left so damn early.

6:11 AM: Stopped at the Mickey D's in Blythe, catching a glimpse of the ASU turnaround  bus. Been there, done that. It's so sweet to get into a vehicle that has music Cory likes to listen to.

6:30 AM: iPod dies, and hispanic radio es no bueno.

 7:28 AM: Cory keeps insisting they stop at Morongo to play some blackjack.

8:15 AM: Morongo was a terrible idea.

10:00 AM: Arrived in Pasadena. Ate at a Subway with the same ASU kids they saw in Blythe.

11:15 AM: Up in the press box, getting ready for the game. Go Devils!