Five True Facts about … Arizona State football
Dave Shopland, AP Photo
Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Jaren Hamilton (16) 100-yard kickoff return TD, during the NCAA college football game between Arizona State Sun Devils and Kansas Jayhawks in London, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.Each week the Daily Herald will provide five true facts about BYU’s latest football opponent for your enjoyment. This week, Arizona State.
1. They went there
Famous Arizona State alumni include professional golfer Phil Mickelson, five-time Emmy award winning sportscaster Al Michaels, Actor David Spade, former NFL star Darren Woodson, Grammy award winning singer Linda Ronstadt and former prime minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardem.
2. Creating the spark
The official mascot since 1946, Sparky the Sun Devil does a push-up for each point the Sun Devils score. Sparky was adopted as ASU’s mascot in 1946 following a vote was held to replace the Bulldog, the mascot at the time.
3. Camp Tontozona
An Arizona State University property, Camp Tontozona is a 36-acre camp just outside Payson, Ariz., created by former legendary coach Frank Kush in 1960 as a bonding experience for his players. Tontozona has annually marked the unofficial start of the Sun Devils’ seasons. After a four-year absence due to lost practice time because of rainouts and problems with the fields, the Sun Devils returned to Camp Tontozona in 2012 after a fundraiser effort from fans and alumni brought in over $160,000.
4. Burn baby, burn
The student section is known as “The Inferno” and is a cluster of gold at all Arizona State athletic events. That noise you hear is the group shaking car keys before every kickoff.
5. Forks up
Perhaps the easiest way to recognize fellow Sun Devils is by seeing them sport the “Fork ’em Devils” hand sign — the universal sign of ASU pride.
