Pitchfork Posts

For the 600-plus young men and women competing in ASU’s 26 NCAA varsity sports, Sun Devil Club support is the foundation for their collegiate experience, which is unlike any other in the nation.

Arizona State provides a world-class education and a welcoming community with ties around the world. It’s a place where lifelong friendships are forged, real-world knowledge is gained from innovative leaders, role models are established, and dreams are passed on from one generation to the next. A journey that develops skills, and molds champions on the field, great spouses and parents, influencers in their respective professional fields, and civic leaders.    

As a part of our celebration of the best supporters in college athletics, we are recognizing Sun Devil Club members and season ticket holders whose support is not only creating this experience, but also changing the lives and shaping the futures of countless young men and women.

Abby and Jace Gardner met as freshmen living in the same dorm at ASU, and no matter where they’ve called home over the years, ASU has been the commonality that’s bound them. They currently reside in Golden, Colorado.   

Thank you for being a part of the Sun Devil Club and investing in our student-athletes.

Meet Abby and Jace

In what ways are you connected to ASU?

Our connection to ASU is deep-seated because we met as freshmen at ASU living on the D-3 floor of the former Sahuaro Hall. In the 30 years we've known each other and the 21 years we've been married, ASU has been a common thread in our everyday lives, from maintaining friendships with our fellow dorm floor family to bringing our kids to Arizona for ASU football weekends every fall. 

What does it mean to you to be a Sun Devil and be a part of the Sun Devil Family? How does it help connect you with your community? 

I love telling people I'm a Sun Devil and sharing with them my experience with ASU. I know many people whose kids have attended, or currently attend ASU, so I connect with them on that level. Before settling in Colorado, we moved quite a bit while Jace served in the Air Force. One of the first things we would do in each new city was find out where the closest ASU Alumni chapter met for game watching parties. It was a great way to meet people and establish an instant connection.  

How has your experience at ASU positively impacted your life? 

I think my experience at ASU has positively affected my life in many ways, first & foremost, that I'm married to someone I met in the dorm! I also think my ASU experience working as a student athletic trainer during my time at ASU helped me in my professional life. I've been able to take advantage of many personal & professional opportunities as a result of that experience. From Jace's perspective; my time at ASU has had a profound impact on who I am every day. I grew more as a person in my time at ASU than at any other time in my life! 

Why do you think it is important to support collegiate athletics, and specifically Sun Devil Athletics? 

Jace: I think ASU is a reflection of who I am. When I say I went to college there, I want people to respect the school academically and athletically. I think by contributing, you are helping contribute positively to who you are!  

What is your most memorable Sun Devil memory?

That is a very tough question, as many of the most important aspects of our lives have some ASU reference. For Jace, it has to be graduating and being commissioned in the Air Force. Both of those experiences are lifelong memories. 

Describe the most exciting game/meet/match you have attended. 

Wow.  There are so many-- for Abby, being on the sideline/field when ASU football beat U of A at U of A for the 1992 Territorial Cup is a definite highlight, watching Lynn James make that amazing one handed catch, & witnessing Nathan LaDuke's infamous interception and 92-yard return for a TD. Jace attended multiple College World Series games, and we were both in the stands as alumni to watch ASU football shutout Nebraska. Abby also has many memorable moments from her time as a student athletic trainer, from having to change from travel attire to game attire in the janitorial closet of the Rose Bowl to hanging on for dear life as Troy Young gunned the golf cart down the hill to what was then the University Activity Center and slamming on the brakes at the last possible moment. Other fond memories include being part of Camp Tontozona three-a-day practices & traveling to Tokyo, Japan, for the 1990 Coca-Cola Bowl Game, and having the privilege of working directly with the Women's Volleyball team, Men's & Women's Gymnastics teams and Wrestling.

If you could have dinner with any Sun Devil student-athlete/coach/staff member from the past or present who would it be and why? 

For the 600-plus young men and women competing in ASU’s 26 NCAA varsity sports, Sun Devil Club support is the foundation for their collegiate experience, which is unlike any other in the nation.

Arizona State provides a world-class education and a welcoming community with ties around the world. It’s a place where lifelong friendships are forged, real-world knowledge is gained from innovative leaders, role models are established, and dreams are passed on from one generation to the next. A journey that develops skills, and molds champions on the field, great spouses and parents, influencers in their respective professional fields, and civic leaders.    

As a part of our celebration of the best supporters in college athletics, we are recognizing Sun Devil Club members and season ticket holders whose support is not only creating this experience, but also changing the lives and shaping the futures of countless young men and women.

Alan Wald is a former Arizona State student and was Sparky from 1980-83. I am also a Sun Devil parent, a Sun Devil Club Member, Co-President of the Orange County, CA Alumni Chapter, and a Sun Devil sports fan who bleeds maroon and gold.

Thank you for being a part of the Sun Devil Club and investing in our student-athletes. 

Meet Alan

What does it mean to you to be a Sun Devil and be a part of the Sun Devil Family? How does it help connect you with your community?

Being a Sun Devil and being a part of the Sun Devil Family is a lifetime commitment. I am proud to represent a university that continues to grow and be leaders in all aspects. Most of my friends are those I met while being a student at ASU, as well as people that I've met since. Living only 350 miles away from Tempe, it provides me an opportunity to stay connected to the school on a regular basis and getting the chance to see things thru my son Kyle's perspective being a junior at ASU. Being involved with the Alumni Association has allowed me to interact with people in Southern California and sharing the Sun Devil pride and experience thru our Sun Devil Send Off for incoming Sun Devil students and their families.         

How has your experience at ASU positively impacted your life?

My experience at ASU has had a lifetime impact on me. Meeting people from all over the globe and experiencing so many different things helped shape me in being the person I am today. I also had the unique opportunity to be Sparky for three years and represent the university on a much larger scale as I helped our fans, athletes and coaches get fired up at Sun Devil football, basketball, and baseball games and other sporting events. Making connections with fellow students, athletes, on-campus staff and administrators has made my life what it is today - successful and fun with lifetime memories.

Why do you think it is important to support collegiate athletics, and specifically Sun Devil Athletics?

It’s very important to support Sun Devil Athletics as you want to encourage each athlete to be the best they can be. Donating time and money will help in providing the resources that will help them succeed. Successful sports programs give the university exposure to people from all over the world, and make students and athletes want to come to a school like ASU. Your facilities need to be top notch as well, and that takes money. Be involved and be part of the solution. Every bit helps.

What is your most memorable Sun Devil memory?

Having the privilege to be Sparky for three years and represent Arizona State for all their sports. I started some traditions like doing push-ups for every point the football team scored. I was able to do those in the end zone, and the team wouldn't kick off until I was done. Having the sellout crowds counting 1, 2, 3 etc., was beyond a rush. Leading the team onto the field with a flaming pitchfork, slam dunking off a mini-tramp and taking half court shots were a few other things I started.  

Describe the most exciting game/meet/match you have attended.

I've been fortunate to witness many exciting moments in Sun Devil history, such as the football team winning their only Rose Bowl against Michigan and the amazing undefeated run to the Rose Bowl with Jake Plummer, until the heartbreaking loss to Ohio State. However, the most memorable Sun Devil moment for me personally was on March 7, 1981, when Arizona State's basketball team went to Corvallis and beat 26-0 #1 Oregon State 87-67 on the last day of the season. The team shot 17-22 in the first half and led by 20, as Byron Scott led the Sun Devils with 17 of his 25 points. Having been Sparky at this game, I unzipped my costume to reveal a bright orange t-shirt that had Oregon State #1 on the front. When I turned around, I had 26-1 on it with the 1 underlined. Needless to say, the crowd went wild and threw everything imaginable at me. The game was stopped and Oregon State's Coach Ralph Miller grabbed a microphone and yelled at the fans to behave. Meanwhile I had three police officers escort me into the locker room as I started a near riot.

If you could have dinner with any Sun Devil student-athlete/coach/staff member from the past or present who would it be and why?

There are so many Sun Devil legends that I have been lucky to meet at one time or another, but if I had to pick one to have dinner with, I would choose Pat Tillman. A true hero in every sense of the word as he left his football career in the NFL and enlisted in the United States Army following the 9/11 attacks and sacrificed his life for this country. Pat was a tremendous leader and its honor that he represented Arizona State and the United States in the manner that he did.

For the 600-plus young men and women competing in ASU’s 26 NCAA varsity sports, Sun Devil Club support is the foundation for their collegiate experience, which is unlike any other in the nation.

Arizona State provides a world-class education and a welcoming community with ties around the world. It’s a place where lifelong friendships are forged, real-world knowledge is gained from innovative leaders, role models are established, and dreams are passed on from one generation to the next. A journey that develops skills, and molds champions on the field, great spouses and parents, influencers in their respective professional fields, and civic leaders.    

As a part of our celebration of the best supporters in college athletics, we are recognizing Sun Devil Club members and season ticket holders whose support is not only creating this experience, but also changing the lives and shaping the futures of countless young men and women.

James Woolen is a current Sun Devil Club and ASU Alumni Association member living in Southern California. He is the president and CEO of Nationwide Guard Services, Inc. located in Rancho Cucamonga. Jim graduated in 2005 from ASU, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications. While attending ASU, Jim’s interests drew him into politics and he started his career working for United States Senator John McCain as a Constituent Liaison.

Thank you for being a part of the Sun Devil Club and investing in our student-athletes.

Meet James

Why do you think it is important to support collegiate athletics, and specifically Sun Devil Athletics? Sun Devil Athletics has been a major part of my life since attending and graduating in 2005. I am a huge college football fan, and attended almost every game while living in Arizona. I have had some great (and stressful) times watching Sun Devil Athletics over the years, and want to make sure I support the athletics department, not only by buying tickets, but also monetarily, as the athletics program at ASU has given me many great memories.

What does it mean to you to be a Sun Devil and be a part of the Sun Devil Family? How does it help connect you with your community? It is with great pride that I call myself a Sun Devil. The education and experience I received while attending ASU, as well as the networking and connections that I have gained, are truly amazing.   

How has your experience at ASU positively impacted your life? The education and experience received at ASU has given me the knowledge and confidence to accomplish anything.  My family and I gain great joy in learning the new steps ASU is taking to become one of the most innovative universities in the US. The networking amongst Sun Devils is great and I have made many Sun Devil contacts in California over the years.  

What is your most memorable Sun Devil memory? After Hurricane Katrina, when LSU and ASU played at SDS. The way the community came together was unbelievable.  

Describe the most exciting game/meet/match you have attended. Jael Mary – no question

For the 600-plus young men and women competing in ASU’s 26 NCAA varsity sports, Sun Devil Club support is the foundation for their collegiate experience, which is unlike any other in the nation.

Arizona State provides a world-class education and a welcoming community with ties around the world. It’s a place where lifelong friendships are forged, real-world knowledge is gained from innovative leaders, role models are established, and dreams are passed on from one generation to the next. A journey that develops skills, and molds champions on the field, great spouses and parents, influencers in their respective professional fields, and civic leaders.    

As a part of our celebration of the best supporters in college athletics, we are recognizing Sun Devil Club members and season ticket holders whose support is not only creating this experience, but also changing the lives and shaping the futures of countless young men and women.

Paul Asmuth is a current Sun Devil Club member living in Northern California. He is an avid open water swimmer who has served as both a head coach and advisor to the USA Open Water National Swimming Teams. In 2010 Paul was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame for his marathon swimming career, which included seven World Championship titles. Paul is the General Manager of Napa Valley Reserve and resides in St. Helena, Calif.

Thank you for being a part of the Sun Devil Club and investing in our student-athletes.

Meet Paul

In what ways are you connected to ASU?

Primarily through Coach Bob Bowman and the swim team. I helped coach and advise the USA open water swimmers at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics where Coach Bowman was an integral part of the swim team’s success. We also knew each other in the early 1990s when he was coaching in Napa.

Why do you think it is important to support collegiate athletics, and specifically Sun Devil Athletics? 

Being a student-athlete was one of the most fulfilling parts of my university experience. Learning to be part of the team, as well as understanding the importance of representing Sun Devil Athletics whenever traveling or competing, were life lessons about integrity and honor.

What would you like to accomplish with your philanthropy? 

Philanthropy is important both for helping to provide for Sun Devil Athletics’ needs as well as letting the current generation of Sun Devil student-athletes know that they matter to the alumni that came before them.

What does it mean to you to be a Sun Devil and be a part of the Sun Devil Family? 

I’ve always been extremely proud to have graduated from the W.P. Carey School of Business with an accounting degree.

How has your experience at ASU positively impacted your life? 

Both the athletic and academic challenges helped to prepare me for life after college and the transition went well. Graduating with an accounting degree gave me the start in Public Accounting where I became a CPA for 18 years and a partner in a large regional firm. My major for the first 3 years of school was Wildlife Management and I never lost my interest in the science of our beautiful earth. Currently I’ve been working on a project of growing Coast Redwood trees using effluent from a nearby wastewater treatment plant. There are 475 trees with some over 25 feet tall after only 6 years.

What is your most memorable Sun Devil memory? 

Over the Christmas break the swim team climbed Flat Iron Mountain together. We were all in excellent swimming shape, but to climb 3,000-plus vertical feet was really tough, especially the downhill. Views from the plateau were amazing and worth the rigorous journey. A great team-building day.

Describe the most exciting meet you were a part of at ASU:

In the late 1970s we were an up-and-coming team that some in the Pac-10 took lightly. We were swimming USC at home and they decided to have their best swimmers swim some off-events thinking that they would win them anyway. They didn’t, and at the half-way point of the meet we were crushing them. At the break the yelling from their coach to his team in the locker room was so loud you could hear every word outside on the pool deck. USC did go on to win, but ASU swam great and we let everyone know that they needed to bring their best performances against us to win.

If you could have dinner with any Sun Devil student-athlete/coach/staff member from the past or present who would it be and why?

The passing of legendary sportscaster Keith Jackson reminds us that, over the last half-century, some of the greatest names and voices in sportscasting have described the exploits of Sun Devil football to audiences near and far.

Jackson called numerous ASU games for ABC, both in Tempe and elsewhere. Jackson was also in the Sun Devil Stadium broadcast booth for the 1999 and 2003 Fiesta Bowls, which were the designated BCS Championship games for that season.

Dick Enberg, who passed away in December, called ASU’s victory over Michigan in the 1987 Rose Bowl for NBC. Brent Musberger was ‘Looking Live” in Pasadena ten years later when ASU met Ohio State in Pasadena on ABC. Musberger also called several ASU games during that 1996 regular season, including the Devils’ improbable comeback in the same Rose Bowl stadium against UCLA.

A little-known fact is that Pat Summerall called ASU’s 1975 Fiesta Bowl win over Nebraska. CBS held the rights to the Fiesta Bowl, and Summerall and partner Tom Brookshier were in their first year together as the network’s lead NFL announce team. To help them prepare for Super Bowl X, which would be played three weeks later, CBS sent Summerall, Brookshier, and the entire Super Bowl technical team for a rehearsal in Tempe. Brookshier commented during the 17-14 ASU win that, to that point, it was the best game he and Summerall had seen.

Summerall’s mentor as a play by play announcer also called ASU games. Ray Scott, who grew to fame for lines such as “Starr…..Dowler….touchdown” called ASU’s win in the first Fiesta Bowl in 1971. A valley resident, Scott later called ASU games locally on Channel 3.

Current Arizona Cardinals broadcaster Dave Pasch has called ASU football and basketball games for ESPN, including this past season’s 13-7 upset of then-fifth-ranked Washington. Pasch also called ASU’s games in the 2015 and 2017 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament.

Let’s not forget ASU’s own “voices”. The Voice of the Sun Devils, Tim Healey, has won the last two Arizona Sportscaster of the Year Awards from the National Sports Media Association. His predecessor, the late Tom Dillon, won the award 16 consecutive times. Basketball Hall of Famer Al McCoy won the first two of his 11 Arizona Sportscaster of the Year awards while serving as the Voice of the Sun Devils in the 1960’s. Bob Vache described Sun Devil football games as well as working at channel 12 and KTAR and was the first Voice of the Phoenix Suns.  Add Bob Davies to that list as well.  And we cannot forget the work of Jeff Munn on women’s basketball and other sports for the past several decades.

Football isn’t the only sport where Hall of Famers have described ASU games. Baseball Hall of Famer and Valley resident Joe Garagiola joined his NBC Game of the Week partner Tony Kubek to call ASU’s victory over Texas in the semifinals of the 1981 College World Series, a game that propelled ASU to the National Championship the next night. With the Major League players on strike at that time, NBC sent their Game of the Week crew to Omaha.

Members of the Sun Devil Club provide the resources for Sun Devil student-athletes to pursue their dreams athletically, academically and professionally. Their generosity creates opportunities and opens doors for our young men and women both during time at Arizona State University and well after they graduate, and provides a platform for them to inspire and impact younger generations. Our community of dedicated supporters is the foundation of everything we’ve accomplished and all we hope to achieve in the future.

This series looks at how Sun Devil Club members, through their philanthropic support, provide these resources and create this community.

Michele Downie is a graduate of ASU, football season ticket holder, Alumni Association member and a member of the Los Angeles alumni chapter, a supporter, and an advocate for ASU.  

What does it mean to you to be a Sun Devil and a part of the Sun Devil Family? How does it help connect you with your community?

When I first moved to Los Angeles I did not know many people other than a couple of friends that I knew from ASU and a brother, and being a member of the Alumni Association connected me with the local chapter. Through the events I was able to learn more about where I was going in this maze of a city and enjoyed some of the local happenings, met great people and have made additional connections with Tempe.

Flash forward to today – being a Sun Devil helps with business as sports is always a big topic (and we are in Pac-12 country), there is always a "special" connection when you meet other grads in my industry, and just even wearing Sun Devil gear has connected me with neighbors who just moved in.

Being a Sun Devil and part of the Sun Devil Family makes me feel proud to belong to a nationally recognized, innovative University with both academia and athletics!

Why do you think it is important to support student-athletes and Sun Devil Athletics?

I believe sports brings people together - camaraderie, common goals; it teaches humility (good sportsmanship), working with others (team work) and living within boundaries (there are always rules, everywhere in society). Each year we receive the report of our APR and graduation rates and they continue to improve. What that tells me is Sun Devils Athletics recognizes and values the academics. Many student-athletes might come in dreaming of becoming professionals in their respective sport, but the reality is many will not and through their education they are able to go out in the world and become productive members and leaders of our society, which a degree helps get you going forward in this world.

It was not easy for me to go to college, and like many other in my era, we had to put ourselves through by working most of the time and fitting classes in where we could. There was some help, but not really meaningful. I was not a student-athlete, but I very much appreciate the desire of those athletes to compete and excel while adding to the equation a higher education. This means much sacrifice for both the athlete and their family. It was hard enough working and going to school that I wanted to help those who could not necessarily work (because of training/practices/games) and be successful as an athlete while working on a degree.

Why did you, and what motivated you, to create an endowment?

I have been blessed as I am fortunate enough to have a budget which includes charitable donations and the opportunity to reach that budget and double the effort was a no-brainer. I believe in the direction of Sun Devil Athletics and am proud of their accomplishments both athletic and academic, it is a great way to show my belief in the program and future.

What do you enjoy most about being a Sun Devil Club member?

Being a part of an organization that does good for the students and ASU.

What is your most memorable Sun Devil memory?

I cannot pick a most memorable, but three stand out in my mind:

Watching football games at the top of the student section with my bud Don

Coming out of an intermediate accounting final - decompressing on a concrete bench when music started bouncing off the concrete walls which turned out to be U2 testing sound system at the stadium

My grandmother making it to my graduation

Describe the most exciting game/meet/match you have attended

It was the 1997 Rose Bowl - undefeated ASU team facing Ohio State coached by our former coach and it came down to the wire. We just scored and I looked at the clock and (my recollection) saw 1 minute, 41 seconds and I just thought we left too much time....Great season though!

If you could have dinner with any Sun Devil student-athlete/coach/staff member from the past, present or future, who would it be and why?

Sun Devil Nation and our community are the heart and soul of Sun Devil Athletics, the driving force that keeps us going.

As part of our celebration of the best fans in college football, we are recognizing season ticket holders whose support through the years has played an integral role in building our program. 

Congratulations to this week’s Sun Devil Football Season Ticket Holders of the Game, the Nelson family. Larry and Shirley Nelson, Larry and Marie Nelson, Jim and Lynette Nelson, Willie and Marion Nelson, Kathy Nelson, Ray and Michelle Valenzuela, and Kevin and Stacy Nelson are all attending Saturday’s game vs. USC.

Larry took a moment to talk with us about the Maroon & Gold.

How long have you been season ticket holders?

We started in 1964 with seven tickets (dad, mom & five kids). As each of us married, we would add a ticket for the spouses and then kids. We currently have 16 in the group with three generations (sometimes a fourth generation!) attending the games.

Favorite memories?

Almost too many to count! Jim on the ASU Men's Gymnastics Team performing on the field during the games, beating Nebraska/undefeated season, John Jefferson's catch, attending the Fiesta Bowls and Rose Bowls, the chance to see the family each week and enjoy the game together.

Facts about the Nelson’s and the Sun Devils

Over the past 45 years, Larry and Shirley have put on a lot of miles to attend the games. For 30 years, Larry (the Mayor of Yuma from 2002 to 2009) and Shirley made the 380-mile round trip from Yuma, and for 15 years have traveled the 330-mile round trip from their current home in Snowflake, Ariz., for a grand total of 120,000 miles.

Kevin and Stacy Nelson (third generation) were married in August and the wedding and reception were ASU themed. All in attendance were encouraged to wear their ASU colors, and the wedding cake had an ASU topper and everyone was given maroon and gold foam fingers.

Jim Nelson was a two-conference (WAC and Pac-10) champion in gymnastics and 1978 All-American on the ASU Men's Gymnastics Team.

There are eight former Arizona State athletes being inducted into the Sun Devil Athletics Hall of Fame at the ASU/Washington football game on Oct. 14.

And former NCAA wrestling champion Anthony Robles will be immortalized in the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame in November.

But ASU’s Hall of Fame accolades don’t stop there.

One Sun Devil administrator will have his career of competition recognized as well.

ASU’s senior associate athletic director, Scottie Graham, was a standout three-sport athlete at Long Beach High School in Long Beach, New York. During his high school tenure, Graham was a three-sport All-American (football, wrestling, lacrosse) and didn’t miss a single day of school. He won a state title in wrestling and was an All-Long Island and All-American running back.

For his outstanding achievements as a Long Beach Marine, Graham will be inducted into the Nassau County High School Sports Hall of Fame this month.

Graham received a scholarship from Ohio State where he played all four years, carrying the football for more than 1,700 yards and 19 touchdowns as a Buckeye. He earned two degrees in Columbus, graduating with a Bachelor’s in Education and Sports Leadership in 1991, and returning to campus in 1995 for his Master’s in Black Studies.

He played seven seasons in the NFL, named team captain several times, carrying the ball for the New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings and Cincinnati Bengals. During his 1993 campaign in Minnesota, Graham led the Vikings in rushing with 488 yards and had zero fumbles throughout his career.

After he left the gridiron, Graham continued to be involved with the league, becoming the regional director of the NFL Players Association in 1998, then the director of player engagement in 2010 before joining the Sun Devils in 2014.

Graham and the other athletes and coaches will be inducted into the Nassau Sports Hall of Fame Sept. 27 in Woodbury, New York.

Members of the Sun Devil Club provide the resources for Sun Devil student-athletes to pursue their dreams athletically, academically and professionally. Their generosity creates opportunities and opens doors for our young men and women both during time at Arizona State University and well after they graduate, and provides a platform for them to inspire and impact younger generations. Our community of dedicated supporters is the foundation of everything we’ve accomplished and all we hope to achieve in the future.

This series looks at how Sun Devil Club members, through their philanthropic support, provide these resources and create this community.

Tyler Sublette, a 2007 graduate of ASU, has been supporting Sun Devil Athletics each year since 2011. He is a charter member of the Sun Devil Club Young Professionals Group, a football season ticket holder, and a great community advocate for both the university and athletics department.  

In what ways are you connected to ASU? I graduated from ASU in 2007 and continued to be a fan and booster of ASU athletics until present. 

What does it mean to you to be a Sun Devil and be a part of the Sun Devil Family? How does it help connect you with your community? Being a part of the Sun Devil Community is a big part of who I am. I have made some deep meaningful relationships throughout my time as the President of the Devil's Brigade and the Chair of the Sun Devil Club Young Professionals.

Why do you think it is important to support student-athletes and Sun Devil Athletics? It is really important to support Student Athletes to give them the opportunities to grow and get an education so that they have an opportunity to support and provide for their families when they transition to life after athletics. This includes being a mentor and resource for professional advancement.

 Why do you, and what motivates you, to give every year? I feel the need to give back to ASU because the experiences and time I had at ASU has given me so much. I want to provide a legacy for my family of Sun Devils and hope that one day they will choose to attend my alma mater.

What is your vision for your philanthropy? My vision for my philanthropy is to give as much as I can until I leave a lasting legacy in the ASU community.

What do you enjoy most about being a Sun Devil Club member? The long lasting personal relationships that I have with friends, members and staff at ASU.

What is your most memorable Sun Devil memory? My most memorable Sun Devil memory was being able to present a check to ASU Athletics for more than 100k from the first year of the Sun Devil Club Young Professionals.

Describe the most exciting game/meet/match you have attended I have attended every home game and several away football games in my tenure as a student and booster.  The most exciting moment for me was the game when we beat USC on a Hail Mary for the last play of the game.

If you could have dinner with any Sun Devil student-athlete/coach/staff member from the past, present or future, who would it be and why? One hundred percent Pat Tillman to get to know him as a man and understand everything about him outside of football.

Len and Kathleen Laskowski have been annual supporters of Sun Devil Athletics for more than 20 years and have supported all sports, from men’s basketball to gymnastics. Football and men’s basketball season ticket holders, the Laskowski’s are a great example of non-ASU graduates who have connected with the university, our athletics department and our community through their philanthropy and annual gifts.

In what ways are you connected to ASU? We are huge college sports enthusiasts. When we were younger, we moved around quite a bit and each town we lived in we wanted to connect with the local university and become a part of it. We moved here in 1989 and immediately looked into ASU and how we could become connected and a part of the community. We love ASU and even two out of our three daughters attended ASU.

Why do you think it is important to support student-athletes and Sun Devil Athletics? We enjoy sports – especially college sports. It’s easy to support them.

Why do you give every year? We love sports and getting to know people at ASU. We have given to several programs within the department, but we love men’s and women’s basketball. When we used to be working we would hire several student-athletes during the summer time and we enjoyed spending time with them and getting to know them.

What is your most memorable Sun Devil memory? Beating the Nebraska football team in 1996 and the two times our men’s basketball team went to the NCAA tournament and lost in the second round (2003 and 2009).

For the 600-plus young men and women competing in ASU’s 26 NCAA varsity sports, Sun Devil Club support is the foundation for their collegiate experience, which is unlike any other in the nation.

Arizona State provides a world-class education and a welcoming community with ties around the world. It’s a place where lifelong friendships are forged, real-world knowledge is gained from innovative leaders, role models are established, and dreams are passed on from one generation to the next. A journey that develops skills, and molds champions on the field, great spouses and parents, influencers in their respective professional fields, and civic leaders.    

As a part of our celebration of the best supporters in college athletics, we are recognizing Sun Devil Club members and season ticket holders whose support is not only creating this experience, but also changing the lives and shaping the futures of countless young men and women. 

Jody Watkins is a current Sun Devil Club member living in Southern California and is heavily involved in one of the Sun Devil Club’s signature annual events, the So. Cal Devils Golf Classic. He is the CEO/Founder of Watkins Landmark Construction located in Carlsbad, Calif., and is a graduate of the W.P. Carey School of Business.

Thank you for being a part of the Sun Devil Club and investing in our student-athletes.

Meet Jody

In what ways are you connected to ASU? Since graduating in 1991, I have continued to follow Sun Devil Athletics. When I moved to Virginia, I would regularly attend and participate in DC Sun Devils Alumni activities. As I moved around the country, I would always fly my Sun Devil colors. When I was able to start my own business in San Diego, I incorporated the "Pitchfork" into our company logo. As our business has grown, I have increased my charitable giving to ASU clubs, events and activities. Watkins Landmark is a very proud Sun Devil-owned company.

What would you like to accomplish with your philanthropy? Would eventually like to be the Phil Knight of ASU, but I need to grow my business substantially to accomplish that goal. I would like to make a difference. I would like to be a positive influence on the continued growth and increased national exposure of my alma mater.

What do you enjoy most about being a Sun Devil Club member?   No real benefits, just know that I am contributing to the Alumni Sun Devil Spirit. A spirit I believe has not been utilized to its full potential.

Why do you think it is important to support collegiate athletics, and specifically Sun Devil Athletics?   Exposure. There is no greater potential of national exposure for a university than college athletics. There is no better way to market your university to the masses. Plus, ASU has one of the most photogenic campuses in the US.  

What does it mean to you to be a Sun Devil and be a part of the Sun Devil Family? How does it help connect you with your community?   Anybody who knows me, knows I am a Sun Devil. It has been become one of my life's defining aspects. I am incredibly proud that my experience at ASU has had such a positive effect on my life. 

How has your experience at ASU positively impacted your life?   When I was at ASU, at first I did not feel I was a good student. Today I would have been given an ADHD diagnosis. Back then I was a young man who had great difficulty following college courses. It was a real struggle. One professor, Art Jacobs in the W.P. Carey School of Business, took a personal interest in me and saw potential I did not know I had. When I was inducted into the Sun Devil 100 in 2016, I brought Art with me for the ceremony.

What is your most memorable Sun Devil memory?   The athletics department used to hire the Fraternities and Sororities to clean the stadium after home games. Our fraternity cleaned one half of the stadium on Sunday night then played tackle football on the field at 4:00 AM. That was one of the most enduring memories of my time at ASU. My fraternity (Phi Gamma Delta) had just as profound effect on me as did ASU.

Describe the most exciting game/meet/match you have attended.   Bill Frieder's second season at ASU the Basketball team opened the season by beating Kansas on a last second shot. That was an incredible game. Beyond that, any game I got to watch either Jake Plummer or James Harden were memorable. Any game where we beat U of A is also up there.

by Jeff Munn, SDA Media Relations assistant  

It’s about that time….and you can’t wait.

                 The 2017 Sun Devil Football season kicks off August 31st and you’re just chomping at the bit (or is that the pitchfork?) to get out your Maroon and Gold gear, dust off your favorite Sun Devil hat, and get your stadium seats cleaned up for the new year.

                 If you’re in that “I can’t wait” category, here’s some good news….you don’t have to.

                 While most think football means the start of the fall athletic schedule, it’s actually soccer and volleyball that take the stage first, and they both do so here in Tempe prior to the start of football.

                 Sun Devil Soccer opens the season with a road match at Cal State Northridge on August 12, but on Friday, August 18, you can get out that hat, stadium seat and whatever else Maroon and Gold and head to Sun Devil Soccer Stadium to see Graham Winkworth’s home debut as ASU Head Coach against Ohio State. The match starts at 4:30. If you haven’t been to the stadium, don’t worry – they’ve got concession stands, and those stands have plenty of cold water and sodas for sale.

                 The following weekend, Sun Devil Volleyball also debuts a new head coach, Sanja Tomasevic, as ASU plays in the Sun Devil Volleyball Classic at Wells Fargo Arena. Yes, it’s indoors. The Classic is an all day event, with ASU meeting Weber State Friday, August 25th at 11:00 a.m. Later that night, the Devils meet up with North Dakota State. On Saturday, the 26th ASU hosts Boise State at 5:00 p.m.

                 Here’s the best part – when you go to any of the aforementioned events, you get the same feeling of Sun Devil pride watching ASU compete, just like the feeling you get when the Devil football team crosses the goal line. Just as important, the student-athletes with volleyball and soccer enjoy hearing you cheer them on just as much as the football student-athletes do. See? Everyone wins!

By Jeff Munn, SDA Media Relations

This week’s news that former Arizona State Head Volleyball Coach Debbie Brown will be inducted in the American Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame brings to mind one of the greatest homecourt moments in Sun Devil Volleyball history. No, make that ASU athletic history.

Brown inherited a program that had already known success – her predecessor, Dale Flickinger, had guided the Devil to a 31-season in his final year (1982). Included in that season was a four-game victory at powerhouse Stanford. To that point, the Cardinal hadn’t visited Tempe. Keep in mind, the Pac-10 didn’t have women’s sports until 1986.

From 1982 through 1985, the schools’ women’s program competed in the West Coast Athletic Association (WCAA). The Cardinal were just starting to make their mark as a national force in volleyball. To date, the Cardinal have appeared in the NCAA Tournament 36 consecutive years.

On the night of Friday, October 18, 1985, in the midst of a season that would see Brown and her Sun Devils go 22-13 and make the NCAA’s, hopes for an ASU win over the top-ranked and unbeaten Cardinal in Tempe were just that – a hope. There wasn’t much tangible to suggest an upset was possible.

But what is it they say about games aren’t played on paper?

Before a packed house in P.E. Building East located next to the Main Bookstore on campus, the match started as many ASU-Stanford matches had started in the past. A 15-13 ASU win in the first game of the best-of-five, followed by two convincing wins for the Cardinal, 15-5 and 15-13.

Then, the evening took a different turn.

Behind future Hall of Famer Tammy Webb, ASU rallied in Game Four, 15-11. For the first time in five home meetings with the Cardinal, ASU would take Stanford to a winner-take-all fifth game.

At that time, only the fifth game of a match was rally scoring, whereas today every game in a match is scored that way. Sensing something historic was at hand, the crowd in attendance, all clad in Maroon and Gold, raised the volume level.

Mind you, this wasn’t Wells Fargo Arena. The crowds may have been small, but they were on top of you. Like today, the ASU Volleyball fan base of 1985 was knowledgeable, and they could tell when an opponent was struggling, and they knew going into the fifth game that the mighty Cardinal were desperate to find that little added push that had aided them so many times in the past.

The game was close and obviously tense. Every point raised the decibel a little higher, then a little higher. ASU refused to fold, and edged to a 15-14 lead (a two point lead is needed for a win). They were one point from victory, and were on serve.

At that point, legendary Stanford coach Don Shaw thought a time out was in order to prepare his team for a last stand.

They would have needed a rock concert sound system to hear him.

As soon as the timeout was called, the ASU fight song was played over the makeshift public address system. The ASU faithful made a noise so loud it would have made Sun Devil Stadium jealous. The song itself could barely make it over the loud cheering and rhythmic clapping. A building designed primarily for practices and workouts had been transformed into the ultimate home court advantage.

The final point was a short rally, with a last gasp attempt by Stanford going into the net. ASU had won 16-14, and knocked off the Cardinal in five games.

Strangely, the post game celebration amongst the fans didn’t last as long as you might think. Turns out they were as exhausted as the players.

P.E. Building East had a listed capacity of 500 packed that night into temporary bleachers, along with probably 100 or so standing room only, which had to have violated some fire code. No one seemed too concerned.

It would be eight years, again in Tempe, before ASU would notch another win over Stanford. In 1993, the win came at Wells Fargo Arena, then known as the University Activity Center. When the Pac-10 expanded to women’s sports in 1986, the decision was made to move all of ASU’s arena sports to the UAC.

By Jeff Munn-

Over the next several of days, a lot of people are going to offer an assessment of the impact of Frank Kush, the legendary Arizona State football coach who died Thursday at the age of 88.

There are so many ways to go about it. You can talk about the great players and the classic games, and that would be plenty all by itself.

Here’s another look at what Frank Kush meant to Tempe, to Phoenix and to Arizona, during his 21 years as Head Coach.

Most Sun Devil historians agree the 1970 Peach Bowl was the first breakout moment for ASU football. Having lost out on a chance to go to the 1968 Sun Bowl, ASU officials promised to buy up a large amount of tickets to the game in Atlanta to ensure ASU would be invited.

On the night of December 30, all eye in the Valley were on Channel 5’s telecast of the Peach Bowl. Even the eyes at Veterans Memorial Coliseum, where that night’s Phoenix Suns-Los Angeles Lakers game was delayed until 9:00 p.m., and a large screen television was wheeled in so fans with Suns tickets could watch ASU.

Kush’s name or face attached to any product in the 1960’s and 70’s was a big advertising coup. Coach Kush endorsed everything from auto supplies to mattresses. Even non-profits benefitted. In the mid 70’s Coach Kush did a public service announcement for the Red Cross encouraging people to donate blood. He finished the spot by looking in the camera and barking “DO IT NOW” as only he could.

Like a lot of college football coaches, Coach Kush had a weekly TV show. It aired Sunday nights on Channel 8 (ASU’s PBS station) and the Coach would regularly bring on two or three players who hoped, make that prayed, they had a good game the night before. If Coach Kush spotted a mistake as the film from the game was being run, he’d ask the player (again as only he could) on live television about what went wrong. It was the highlight, at least for the viewers, of each week’s broadcast.

Coach Kush’s pro-style offense was a breath of fresh air for television. At the height of the wishbone era, Kush’s 1975 undefeated ASU team so enamored executives at CBS, they sent their number one NFL announce team, Pat Summerall and Tom Brookshier, to call ASU’s milestone Fiesta Bowl win over Nebraska.

NFL Films did a feature on Kush and his tremendous success producing talent for the pro game. Narrated by the legendary John Facenda, the film was entitled “Frank Kush – Starmaker To The Pros”.

Even after pro sports found its way to Phoenix, ASU football under Kush remained “the” ticket for sports fans. Sellouts, even as Sun Devil Stadium expanded from 50,000 to 70,000 seats, were commonplace. Local hotels sponsored buses to take fans to games so they could avoid the certain traffic jams getting in and out of the parking lots.

It’s not an exaggeration to say on Saturday nights in the fall, everything stopped when Kush’s ASU teams took the field for a home game.

Everything that ASU has accomplished in football has a direct link to Head Coach Frank Kush. Even the night of September 21, 1996, when ASU notched another signature win over then top-ranked Nebraska, 19-0. That was the night the playing field at Sun Devil Stadium was named after the winningest coach in school history.

Sure, with a metro population moving past two million into the 1980’s, the sporting world would have eventually found Phoenix, Tempe and ASU. Frank Kush just moved up the timetable, and made this place easier to locate on a map.

Dating to when ASU joined the Pac-10 in the 1978-79 athletic season 38 seasons ago, no school in the nation has had more #NCAAgolf individual men’s champions than Arizona State’s six.

Four Sun Devils have done won the big one, including two freshman (Alejandro Canizares and Phil Mickelson).

Alejandro Canizares won the NCAA title as a freshman in 2003.

ARIZONA STATE (6): Alejandro Canizares (2003), Todd Demsey (1993), Phil Mickelson (1992, 1990, 1989), Jim Carter (1983)

Jim Carter won the NCAA title in 1983, ASU’s first individual medalist.

OKLAHOMA STATE (5): Jonathan Moore (2006), Charles Howell (2000), E.J. Pfister (1988), Brian Watts (1987), Scott Verplank (1986)

ILLINOIS (2): Thomas Pieters (2012), Scott Langley (2010)

UNLV (2): Ryan Moore (2004), Warren Schulte (1991)

STANFORD (2): Cameron Wilson (2014), Tiger Woods (1996)

Todd Demsey won the 2003 NCAA title.

ONE CHAMPION 2016: Aaron Wise, Oregon 2015: Bryson DeChambeau, SMU 2013: Max Homa, California 2011: John Peterson, LSU 2009: Matt Hill, North Carolina State 2008: Kevin Chappell, UCLA 2007: Jamie Lovemark, USC 2005: James Lepp, Washington 2002: Troy Matteson, Georgia Tech 2001: Nick Gilliam, Florida 1999: Luke Donald, Northwestern, 284 1998: James McLean, Minnesota, 271 1997: Charles Warren, Clemson, 279 1995: Chip Spratlin, Auburn, 283 1994: Justin Leonard, Texas, 271 1985: Clark Burroughs, Ohio State 1984: John Inman, North Carolina 1982: Billy Ray Brown, Houston 1981: Ron Commans, Southern Cal 1980: Jay Don Blake, Utah St. 1979: Gary Hallberg, Wake Forest

Fifteen D1 NCAA schools have the opportunity to win #NCAAGolf Championships in both men’s and women’s golf in 2017.

Arizona State is on that list along with Texas, Duke, Oregon, Clemson, Stanford, Baylor, Pepperdine, Oklahoma, North Carolina, USC, Kent State, Florida State, Alabama and Purdue.

In terms of names, it’s a pretty impressive list.

Now, how about a list of schools that have won the NCAA title in men’s and women’s golf in the same year?

That’s easy…Arizona State in 1990.

That’s it.

The Sun Devil men were led by Phil Mickelson’s individual title, while Per Ulrik Johansson, Todd Kernaghan, Jim Lemon, Scott Frisch, Cade Stone and Keith Sbarbaro also posted top-10 finishes. Head Coach Steve Loy’s team also won the Pac-10 title, as well as the ASU Thunderbird Invitational in Tempe, the Ping/Arizona Intercollegiate in Tucson, the Rebel Classic in Las Vegas and the U.S./Japan Intercollegiate in Tokyo.

For the Sun Devil women, the 1990 NCAA Championship kicked off a decade of dominance. Head Coach Linda Vollstedt led ASU to six National Championships in the decade, including a three-peat from 1993 through 1995. The 90’s also saw ASU post a staggering 37 tournament wins.

The 1990 squad never finished below third in any tournament, winning six of the 11 tournaments they competed in. At the Arthur Hills Golf Course in Hilton Head, South Carolina, ASU had what could be called the definition of a team victory. In each of the three rounds, a different Sun Devil stepped forward to help keep the Devils atop the team leaderboard.

Freshman sensation Brandie Burton carded one of the tournament’s few sub-par rounds with a 1-under 71 on the second day to move into the individual lead. While she moved down the leaderboard in the final round, the steady play of seniors Amy Fruhwirth and Missy Farr allowed the Devils to maintain their lead, eventually winning the title by 16 strokes over second-place UCLA.

In 2017, ASU is in position to complete the double-win feat again, and the women’s squad is again being led by Farr, although she’s now known as Missy Farr-Kaye and her role has moved from senior leader to head coach.

On the men’s side, Head Coach Matt Thurmond’s young squad opens the NCAA’s May 26. Both tournaments will be held at the Rich Harvest Farms Golf Club in Sugar Grove, Illinois.

For the 600-plus young men and women competing in ASU’s 26 NCAA varsity sports, Sun Devil Club support is the foundation for their collegiate experience, which is unlike any other in the nation.

Arizona State provides a world-class education and a welcoming community with ties around the world. It’s a place where lifelong friendships are forged, real-world knowledge is gained from innovative leaders, role models are established, and dreams are passed on from one generation to the next. A journey that develops skills, and molds champions on the field, great spouses and parents, influencers in their respective professional fields, and civic leaders.    

As a part of our celebration of the best supporters in college athletics, we are recognizing Sun Devil Club members and season ticket holders whose support is not only creating this experience, but also changing the lives and shaping the futures of countless young men and women.

Bert Martinez has remained an avid and staunch supporter of Sun Devil Athletics and Sun Devil Baseball since his days on the diamond. A three-year starter for the Sun Devils from 1980-83, Bert helped the Devils take home the 1981 National Championship. A versatile infielder who started at shortstop, second base and third base during his career, he hit two home runs in the 1981 College World Series and made the throw to first base for the final out against Oklahoma State to win the national title on June 8.    

Thank you for being a part of the Sun Devil Club and investing in our student-athletes.

Meet Bert

How did your experience as a student-athlete set you up for success later in life?

It helped me a lot about being resilient and not being afraid to fail. It also taught me about commitment in the classroom and on the field. Being a Sun Devil was always about not wanting to let your teammates down or your school. I have found this skill helpful in the business world.

Why is community support so important for student-athletes and our teams?

It is always important to give back to those who support you. These are the fans and families who make an investment to come out and support Sun Devil Athletics. We should do our part to reciprocate that support and reflect our thanks.

Why do you think it is important to support collegiate athletics, and specifically Sun Devil Athletics?

For a lot of student athletes, it’s their only way to get a college education through an athletics scholarship in his or her sport of choice. These scholarships rely heavily on public and alumni giving.

What does it mean to you to be a Sun Devil and be a part of the Sun Devil Family? How does it help connect you with your community?

To me, being a Sun Devil brought a sense of pride and a confident attitude of a winner. My teammates were my family and we protected each other on and off the field. Knowing how to get along with others and carrying out a game plan has helped me to connect in a positive manner within my community.

How has your experience at ASU positively impacted your life?

My experience at ASU has led to a positive impact on my life that I will always be thankful for. Receiving my degree and the many friendships I made on and off the field has helped to further my career after my short-lived career in Minor League baseball.

What is your most memorable Sun Devil memory?

Undoubtedly, it would be receiving my degree and winning the College World Series in 1981.

If you could have dinner with any Sun Devil student-athlete/coach/staff member from the past, present or future, who would it be and why?

For the 600-plus young men and women competing in ASU’s 26 NCAA varsity sports, Sun Devil Club support is the foundation for their collegiate experience, which is unlike any other in the nation.

Arizona State provides a world-class education and a welcoming community with ties around the world. It’s a place where lifelong friendships are forged, real-world knowledge is gained from innovative leaders, role models are established, and dreams are passed on from one generation to the next. A journey that develops skills, and molds champions on the field, great spouses and parents, influencers in their respective professional fields, and civic leaders.    

As a part of our celebration of the best supporters in college athletics, we are recognizing Sun Devil Club members and season ticket holders whose support is not only creating this experience, but also changing the lives and shaping the futures of countless young men and women.

Dave Rasley, an Arizona State grad, has been a Sun Devil Athletics supporter for nearly a half-century. Positive and encouraging, Dave embodies everything that makes our fans so great. 

Thank you for being a part of the Sun Devil Club and investing in our student-athletes.

Meet Dave

In what ways are you connected to ASU?

I am a proud Lifetime Alumni Gold member and a Sun Devil Athletics supporter for 45 years.

Why do you think it is important to support collegiate athletics, and specifically Sun Devil Athletics?

The cost of a university degree has increased so much that many student-athletes would be unable to attend school and participate in sports without the extra help provided by groups like the Sun Devil Club.

What would you like to accomplish with your philanthropy?

I hope the money I provide not only helps the student-athletes attend school and have a great experience, but might inspire them to give back and support ASU in the future when they are financially able.

What do you enjoy most about being a Sun Devil Club member?

I like the ability to target my donations to a specific sport or to the general athletic fund. I am an enthusiastic supporter of all Sun Devil teams but my passion is Sun Devil Baseball. I really enjoy meeting and getting to know the players and their families. I wish all Alumni would join the Sun Devil Club and contribute at some level to make our teams stronger and more competitive.

What does it mean to you to be a Sun Devil and be a part of the Sun Devil Family? How does it help connect you with your community?

I am not only proud to be a Sun Devil Athletics supporter, but proud of all the great things like the Cronkite School, W.P. Carey Business School, Genomics Research, and many other community building programs. I am also very happy and impressed with the academic and life skills support given to all student athletes directed by Jean Boyd and his staff.

How has your experience at ASU positively impacted your life?

My ASU experience not only prepared me academically, but also and most importantly, it gave me valuable experience of learning about different people and cultures. Coming to ASU as a 17-year-old and being several thousand miles from home forced me to mature, learn, and adapt to any adversity I might face in later life.

What is your most memorable Sun Devil memory?

I have many great Sun Devil memories but if I have to pick just one, it would be attending my first ASU Football game in the fall of 1972. It was packed and really HOT. I believe at that time Sun Devil Stadium seated about 56,000. I remember thinking there are 3 times more people here than in my entire hometown of Fairbanks, Alaska.

Describe the most exciting game you have attended

I have attended so many exciting ASU sporting events but I guess the 1987 Rose Bowl game vs Michigan would be the best. The thing that made that victory even sweeter for me was, during that year I was a tutor for the Athletic Dept. and I knew or had worked with many of the football players and coaches. I had 40 yd. line seats right behind the ASU bench! Priceless!

If you could have dinner with any Sun Devil student-athlete/coach/staff member from the past, present or future, who would it be and why?