AHWATUKEE, Ariz. – Arizona State University's very first Sparky mascot still lives in the Valley and loves rooting on the maroon and gold.
Dick Jacobs, the original Sun Devil performer, turns 90 years old next week. The mascots today, accustomed to doing multiple push-ups, may never know the stunts he would pull in the 1950s.
He landed the role in 1951 after an audition where he walked downstairs on only his hands. At games, he would balance on 20-foot tall poles and on rocking chairs.
One time he recalled jumping off the field goal post and onto a mattress. He passed out and woke up later at a party on Camelback Mountain.
“That was me,” Jacobs said pointing to a black and white photo, “I was down below and the two girls were up above." The shot shows him balancing two of the cheerleaders.
Jacobs still proudly boasts an ASU T-shirt almost daily and loves to attend football games.
“A great life, that’s what I had,” Jacobs said.