100 Day Sun Devil Football Countdown To Kickoff, #37: Protecting 'A' Mountain

By the time the Territorial Cup game rolls around, ASU has one thing on its mind: beating the kitty. In the hearts of the students, the fans, and the team, there's nothing quite like Devils vs. Wildcats. One of the traditions surrounding this matchup involves "A" Mountain.

Painting the "A" is part of a long-standing tradition on both the ASU and UA campuses in which students of the rival team attempt to paint over the opposition's "A" with their team colors on the weekend of the Territorial Cup.

Protecting the "A" is a diffcult task for students, who oftentimes work out shift schedules to protect the landmark 24 hours a day the week before the game.

Last season, Arizona fans managed to paint the "A" blue and white after their surprising win over ASU.

"We were guarding the ‘A' until after the game and it was still gold," criminal justice junior Tim Jenkins said. "(UA students) did this (Sunday night) in the rain."

Arizona fans have succeeded in painting Tempe's "A" in both 2009 and 2011. Sun Devil fans need to take their responsibility even more seriously and defend Tempe Butte with vigorous honor. Basically, we need more guys like this.

Oh, and it can be a $1,400 fine for painting the "A". Not to mention breaking park curfew if you go late at night. Perhaps all we need to do is put up a big sign next to the "A" that says "Rose Bowl" -- that trick has worked in Pasadena since the dawn of time.

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