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Sparty Watch: An Obscure Tradition
Posted by Brandon Howell on October 1, 2009
Ever wondered what exactly is going on around the Spartan statue that one week every fall?
Why are all those crazy band kids huddled around our sacred icon, partying? And what does Johnny Spirit have to do with all of this?
The event is called “Sparty Watch.” It occurs throughout the week preceding the annual MSU/U-M football game. The band takes it upon themselves to protect Sparty from any sort of desecration from our friends down the road.
LJReinoehl said
This tradition began in the late 1980s (I believe 1986) after U-M students painted Sparty blue and yellow (and, inadvertenly, green on the base). The marching band took over guarding the statue. Also in response, a sign was posted that same year on the Michigan Diag welcoming people to “West Ypsilanti Tech”, on the morning of the game in Ann Arbor. Supposedly, it had to be cut down by security before fans showed up.