The mascot for Michigan State University is Sparty. Sparty is a human-like figure with a muscular physique. He wears a Spartan warrior helmet and carries a shield. He is often seen at sporting events, representing the university and its athletic teams. The mascot is a symbol of strength, courage, and Spartan pride. Sparty has become an iconic figure in Michigan State's history and is loved by students, alumni, and fans alike.

Sparty Michigan State Spartans Fight Song Mascot Bobblehead

Clear your throat, warm up those vocal cords, and get ready to belt out every Spartan's favorite tune. With the push of a button, this Sparty Michigan State Spartans Fight Song Mascot Bobblehead plays the iconic "Victory for MSU." Fight Song officially licensed by 2Thumbz, Inc.

Portrays Sparty posing in his green gameday uniform and holding a saxophone, ready to bust out some tunes
Button on top of base activates speaker that plays Michigan State’s iconic fight song that will have all your fellow fans singing along
Team-colored backdrop with bold team logo display, in case there were any doubts where your allegiances lie
“VICTORY FOR MSU” text display on backdrop to celebrate the Spartans' signature song
Team logo display on reverse side of backdrop so your team pride is on display from all angles
Team-colored base with pillar accents that will look great in your collection
Wordmark team name display on top of base for a little extra team spirit
Team name display on front of base to make every day feel like gameday at the stadium
Handcrafted
Hand painted

Measurements

Height: Approximately 8 in., base included

NOTE: In order to get our bobbles to as many fans as possible, we have a strict limit of two (2) of these items per person while on pre-order. If we find this limit is being abused, we reserve the right to cancel and refund your order. Thank you for your cooperation!
Due to its limited nature, sales and discounts are not applicable to this item while on pre-order. We apologize for any inconvenience.
The product(s) you receive might vary slightly in appearance from the product’s image on our website due to the nature of your product(s) being handmade.
Please understand that all handmade items, by nature, may have imperfections. Although we are thorough, there can be inconsistencies based on the creative nature, and it is possible that one item may look a little different from the next.
Our items may have natural and unique imperfections.
Any item you purchase is one of a kind. There are no two items that are exactly the same.
Not a toy
Edition Size: 223
Individually numbered
Fight song officially licensed by 2Thumbz.
Officially licensed
Imported

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Semi OT: Does Sparty ever tackle a fake Wolverine mascot when we play in East Lansing?

Someone over at Ask Metafliter posed a question about Sparty perhaps creating a fake Wolverine mascot to tackle during UM-MSU games in East Lansing. Have they ever done this?

"I was a Michigan student in 2003 and went to the Michigan v. MSU game at Spartan Stadium. I swear that there was a wolverine mascot on the field before the game, and that Sparty ran up and tackled it. This was notable mainly because Michigan doesn't have a mascot. I assumed this was a regular thing in East Lansing, but I can't find confirmation that this happens or ever has happened anywhere."

Does anyone have any information on this?

Also, note that the OP tagged his own post with "inferioritycomplex" and "bowdownsparty".

and don't recall this scene. I was also rather drunk and possibly not paying attention/left my seat.

Joined: 04/16/2010

MGoPoints: 333

I was at the 2003 game and this definitely happened. It was a fugly Wolverine too, obviously the cheapest they could do. I don't recall it happening since.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 1151

In reply to Yes. by JeremyB

I too, was at the 2003 game, and was completely confused when a Michigan "mascot" suddenly appeared, right up until Sparty tackled him.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 7376

I was at that game, stone sober, in the student section and don't remember it happening (edit: apparently I missed it). I do remember Chris Perry running all over Michigan State and after his 50+ carry performance coming over to the student section and taking a bow.

Joined: 01/10/2010

MGoPoints: 3841

It is on Youtube. If, as I think you are, confusing "Bucky" for a Wolverine.

Bucky was running around with an S flag, and a Spartan cheerleader blindsided him.

Edit: Oh, God - Seeing that picture of that yellow-and-blue thing, I do now recall that from the 2005 game.

Joined: 06/29/2009

MGoPoints: 16535

in the 2005 game (an OT win, the one in which Henne fumbled (or passed, depending on your camera angle) and their red-haired Samoan DT returned it for a TD).

There was a ridiculous looking Wolverine mascot-thing that ran around on the field in front of the student section before Sparty took it out. MSU has done this to other mascots, as well - kind of stupid, but it does get the students going.

(edit) I found a picture! Everything is on the interwebs! (/edit)

Joined: 10/07/2008

MGoPoints: 1849

There is no camera angle that makes that play look like a fumble. From every vantage point, Henne's arm is clearly going forward.

Joined: 11/07/2008

MGoPoints: 101023

My eyes! The goggles do nothing!

Joined: 07/17/2010

MGoPoints: 982

I actually went to highschool with a girl that is going to be an MSU cheerleader, and I think I saw some pictures on facebook of this fugly mascot. They were at some cheer camp and there were a ton of mascots (half of which looked like jokes).

Joined: 06/08/2009

MGoPoints: 1964

I was going on 0 hours of sleep in three days for that game. I know I imagined something, but I can't now remember if it was Sparty tackling a Wolverine mascot proxy, or a polar bear (not hockeybear*) who sat down at midfield and started eating a Klondike bar.

* Requisite hockeybear link:

Joined: 10/14/2008

MGoPoints: 146709

Yes. Sparty dressed a poor student up in a sorry excuse for a wolverine costume so they could tackle him.

I don't know where an image of it would be, but I was in the MMB for that game and remember thinking it was a terrible waste of Sparty's time and money at the time.

Joined: 09/02/2009

MGoPoints: 232

Starting from their humble Michigan Agricultural College beginnings to the temporarily arrogant MSU of today, they have always had a weakness for animals.

Especially kicking them.

Rock on Sparty, rock on.

Joined: 01/06/2010

MGoPoints: 3175

They also made a "bag of chips" mascot for CMU this past season and tackled it. I was shocked when I saw it because I had originally thought of the bag of chips mascot idea for the Chippewas 4-5 years ago and get Doritos or Lays to sponsor it . but this thing looked like something a 2nd grade class put together in about an hour with a handful of supplies from Jo-Ann's Fabric & Crafts.

It is clever. I hate giving Sparty kudos, but it is what it is.

Joined: 08/05/2010

MGoPoints: 583

so what you're saying is my landscapers are getting a big in the britches?

Joined: 08/30/2009

MGoPoints: 3377

When I was a kid, late sixties or early seventies Sparty was at that time a large papier mache'/fiberglass kind of thing that set on a normally-costumed body. Not the stuffed neoprene multi-part bodywear thing they've got now. (It was a better-looking Sparty, just like their helmets were better-looking then too.)

Anyway, the one and only Sparty head went missing -- stolen -- and it was kind of ugly, with people wondering what happened to it.

Then, the UM-MSU game gets played at Michigan stadium, and one of our (then all-male) cheerleaders runs out onto the field, with the missing Sparty head on, completely repainted maize and blue with a block M on the side. One of my favorite youthful memories from Michigan Stadium.

Joined: 06/29/2009

MGoPoints: 16535

I believe they do it every time we play them there. I know they have multiple times. They use the same wolverine costume every time - a blue Muppet-looking creature with googly eyes. Sparty beats him up to racous applause. No amount of explaining will ever convince Spartan fans that it isn't really our mascot.

Joined: 11/07/2008

MGoPoints: 101023

In reply to Yes by jmblue

Now that's what tradition in college football is all about. Way to show us how it's done Sparty.

Joined: 09/01/2009

MGoPoints: 1965

went to UM/MSU in 2001 and 2003 and it happened both years.

Joined: 10/01/2008

MGoPoints: 101

During the 2003 game, they came back from commercial break and had a big close up of that Wolverine-bear-tiger looking thing. I turned to my dad and asked, "Do we have a mascot at games now?"

I went back and watched the tape later and it looked obvious that it was nothing more than cheap looking costume that MSU students put together (probably the night before) so Sparty could have something to tackle during the game to fire the crowd up. They couldn't beat us on the field so this was all they had.

You can see it here during the opening montage to start the third quarter in 03.

Joined: 08/10/2009

MGoPoints: 55334

Because I have an insider on this issue.

Back in the days, 2003, my brother was a walk-on fullback at Michigan St. He didn't see the field or anything, but often got tickets to the games. After that year, he quit the football team and became a cheerleader (where he met his female fiance, FWIW). They have had several different "Michigan" mascots over the years, each time the same thing happening and stuff. But Michigan State's use of the fake mascot some how got banned after 2003. Whether it was from Michigan demanding so, the Big Ten, or something else I don't know, but it for sure wasn't up to Michigan State to stop doing it.

Joined: 06/18/2009

MGoPoints: 38962

Does he have a male fiance too? Or was that the ex-fiance?

Hate to have to ask, but he is a Sparty.

Joined: 01/06/2010

MGoPoints: 3175

To be a Sparty

In 1992, Larry Lage saw a unique job listing in a student newspaper. Then a college sophomore at Michigan State University, he met the listing’s sole hard-and-fast requirement of being a current student between the height of 5’10" and 6’2".

Lage decided to apply…

It’s one of the most exclusive and secretive clubs in the state. One of the hardest positions to attain. One of the most beloved sports mascots in America.

“I’d be a great Sparty,” Lage told his friends, who encouraged him to try out for the gig.

On the day of the audition, Lage considered bailing after waking up groggy from an epic collegiate-level afternoon nap. But his friends persuaded him to push on and endure.

“This isn’t about you!” said Lage’s buddy. “This is about all of us.”

“I had three minutes to do anything I wanted in the costume for a panel of judges,” said Lage. For his routine he chose a refined number he had polished years earlier for a high school talent competition.

“And so I did my beginning routine to Beastie Boys’ ‘Brass Monkey.’”

Lage brought that funky monkey energy to his performance, and made the first brutal cut from 25 aspiring Spartys to six finalists. After an interview with the panel of Sparty alums and alumni association reps, he became one of two Spartys selected for the year.

And he, as with all active Spartys, was sworn to secrecy.

Larry Lage Larry Lage as Sparty

He was sent away to mascot camp in Wisconsin, communing with other mascot greats such as Brutus the Buckeye, learning the ways of the mascot.

“They would teach that you have to over-exaggerate all of your movements to be as big as possible because you’re in this costume,” said Lage.

The Sparty costume consists of a big head, as with most school mascot costumes. But Lage said that’s where the similarities end. Most mascots essentially wear “pajamas” on their bodies. Meanwhile, Sparty straps on large boots, muscle-bound legs, a Spartan skirt and chest plate, muscle-y arms to match the girth of the legs, gloves and wrist cuffs. Then the Disney-esque head with a massive helmet.

Like Voltron, the pieces assemble as if to lead the universe of mascots.

When Lage donned the plushy muscles and hard chest plate of Sparty, he knew he wasn’t entering Spartan Stadium as a spectator.

“When you're Sparty, you're working, you know. You're there to entertain the crowd. You're not there to watch the game,” said Lage. “And you can't see well.”

Part of Sparty’s job is to go to pep rallies, parades, and other university events that mean interacting with the fans.

“Adults by and large. love Sparty,” said Lage. As for kids? “It’s either wonder and awe, or they’re freaked out.”

Laura Weber-Davis Indoctrinating child to Sparty's lore

Now, Lage is part of a special alumni group; those who were Sparty. There are 66 members of a former-Sparty Facebook page; he meets up with other Spartys for a reunion every five years; and he’s happy to say there have been a few women Spartys beneath the big chin along the way.

Today, Larry Lage is a sports reporter with the Associated Press, and he occasionally faces doubts that he can be an objective journalist during Michigan State games. But he insists he doesn’t care who wins MSU games.

“I root for my [adolescent] son’s teams. When I watch my daughter dance, I cry. When I go cover a game [for work] I do not care who wins,” he said.

But he does care how Sparty performs.

“I want Sparty to represent well.”

You can listen to Lage’s interview with Stateside above to hear more about the mascot experience. This interview was conducted by Laura Weber-Davis, who, as a Michigan State alum, is completely incapable of being objective about Sparty.

Sparty has become an iconic figure in Michigan State's history and is loved by students, alumni, and fans alike. He embodies the spirit and traditions of the university and serves as a source of motivation and excitement for the community. The presence of Sparty at games and events helps boost school spirit and create a sense of unity among the Michigan State community.

Overall, Sparty is an integral part of the university's identity and a beloved symbol for all things Michigan State..

Reviews for "A Day in the Life of Sparty: Behind the Mask of the Michigan State Mascot"

1. John - 1 star

I was really disappointed with "What is the mascot for Michigan State". The book was poorly written and lacked any depth or substance. It felt like a rushed and lazy attempt at providing information. The author seemed to have limited knowledge about the subject as well, as they failed to provide comprehensive details about the mascot. The book also lacked any engaging or thought-provoking content, making it a tedious read. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for accurate and well-researched information on the Michigan State mascot.

2. Sarah - 2 stars

"What is the mascot for Michigan State" left much to be desired. While I appreciated the effort to cover the topic, the book fell short in terms of organization and coherence. The information presented was jumbled and disjointed, making it difficult to fully understand the mascot's history and significance. Additionally, the writing style was dry and unengaging, making it a struggle to stay interested in the content. Overall, the book lacked the level of detail and quality one would expect from a comprehensive guide on a university mascot. It could benefit from a thorough re-write and editing process to improve its readability and effectiveness.

3. Emily - 2 stars

I found "What is the mascot for Michigan State" underwhelming. The book lacked clear structure and a cohesive narrative, jumping from one random fact to another without proper transition or explanation. It often felt like reading a collection of disjointed trivia rather than a comprehensive guide. The writing style was also unengaging, lacking any real enthusiasm or passion for the subject matter. I wish the author had put more effort into providing a well-rounded and well-researched overview of the Michigan State mascot, as I was left feeling unsatisfied with the superficial coverage provided in this book.

4. Mark - 1 star

"What is the mascot for Michigan State" was a complete letdown. The book provided little to no valuable information about the Michigan State mascot, leaving me wanting more. It seemed to skim the surface of the topic without delving into any meaningful details or insights. The writing style was dull and uninspiring, making it difficult to maintain my interest throughout the reading. Moreover, the book lacked any visual aids or illustrations to enhance the learning experience. Overall, I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on this book if you're seeking in-depth knowledge about the Michigan State mascot.

The Symbolic Meaning of Sparty: Representing Michigan State University

The Connection between the Michigan State Mascot and School Pride

Exploring the Traditions and Routines of the Michigan State Mascot