Walt Disney’s Strange Connection To Arizona State University

One of College Football's most iconic mascots is the University of Oregon's Puddles the Duck. While most know him as the chaotic costumed duck running around the sidelines, only a few are aware that his illustrated version is none other than Disney's Donald Duck.

Turns out, Oregon isn't the only University with a Disney mascot, but ASU took theirs one step further.

Origins of the Sun Devil

For the first few decades of their existence, Arizona State University didn't have a distinct identity. The University went through multiple mascots, namely Owls and Bulldogs, until, in 1945, the student newspaper realized it was time for a change of pace.

Students wanted something unique that reflected the University's location in Tempe (think Florida's Gators or Georgia Tech's Yellow Jackets). They got their wish. On November 8th, 1946 with a 819-196 vote, the Sun Devil was chosen as ASU's newest mascot.

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Disney Sparky the Sun Devil

Two years after Sparky's ascendancy, ASU hired alumni and Disney illustrator Berk Anthony to pen Sparky's design. He worked hard to give us the lovable Devil we all know today, and in 1951, Sparky made his official debut in Tempe.

A few years later, folks started noticing something... strange. Sparky looked eerily familiar, but no one could put their finger on who he reminded them of. Then people remembered Anthony's background. It's never been confirmed directly, but it is heavily implied that Anthony, shall we say borrowed some likeness and facial features from his boss, Walt Disney himself. Maybe not as overt as Oregon straight up using Donald Duck's official design, but Walt Disney and his legacy is now forever cemented in Sun Devil nation.

[Homefield]