Origin of "Sparty"
I am curious when the term "Sparty" started being used. I never heard that nickname used until about five years ago. Is it new, or did I just not notice its use because I am a Michigan fan. Could someone enlighten me about the history of this nickname. Thanks for the info.
October 25th, 2009 at 12:15 AM ^
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sparty
It used to be Aggies, then was changed to Spartans in 1925, after almost picking the Michigan Staters.
October 25th, 2009 at 12:26 AM ^
Thanks for the info and link. I was actually referring to the specific nickname Sparty, not the traditional nickname Spartans. According to the link, the mascot is named Sparty and was unveiled in 1989, but wasn't well known until the mid 90's. This makes sense, because I don't remember MSU being referred to as Sparty when I was growing up.
October 25th, 2009 at 12:35 AM ^
Having lived in the Lansing area I can tell you that it is not a nickname loved by the MSU folks. In fact they would take out their crayons and write the papers and ask why Michigan wasn't called "Wolvie"
I remember it picking up and sticking in the 90's.
I found the "Sparty" name appropriate. A term of endearment, just like I call my little brother William "Billy"
October 25th, 2009 at 12:50 AM ^
I like that you have so much tension and anger aimed toward that MSU fanbase. We need more of this so maybe we can end the 1000 days of not beating them in football or basketball.
October 25th, 2009 at 1:07 AM ^
I, personally, am a huge fan of calendars, specifically the Gregorian calendar, which has made it quite obvious that we haven't hit 1000 days just yet. However, if you were curious, it has been 723 days so far.
October 25th, 2009 at 1:10 AM ^
You're trying to polish a turd.
October 25th, 2009 at 1:16 AM ^
He's not trying to polish you.
October 25th, 2009 at 1:21 AM ^
= "the jerk store called...."
October 25th, 2009 at 1:25 AM ^
"And wants it's jerk back?" Is that the rest of the joke?
Go away troll.
October 25th, 2009 at 1:10 AM ^
Did you register for mgoboard to make this comment?
October 25th, 2009 at 12:57 AM ^
Chalk up another nickname pushed on the masses by ESPN. Much like calling UofM Big Blue I believe referring to MSU as Sparty began with Sportscenter guys or College Game Day guys.
October 25th, 2009 at 1:20 AM ^
Kind of like bucky? Or Brutus?
October 25th, 2009 at 1:22 AM ^
Yeah the mascot is Sparty.
October 25th, 2009 at 2:58 AM ^
It's sad that I know this, yes, but my Mother is an MSU Alumna who told me that when she was at State in the 70's, they did not yet have the guy dress up in the foam costume as they do now, but an actual guy standing there in Spartan warrior garb, ie, USC warrior.
So it at least goes back that far, but you'd have to corroborate it with a source somehow.
October 25th, 2009 at 8:52 AM ^
Sparty rhymes with party. "You can't be a Sparty if you don't party hearty," or some such nonsense.
October 25th, 2009 at 9:51 AM ^
When I was at MSU, I seemed like the word "Sparty" was used much like "Smurf" was used in the cartoon; a catch-all term with a variety of meanings. Like "Sparty On!" was plastered all over shirts and promotional materials at bars, while "That's so Sparty" was used to describe State-specific things like going to the Dairy Store or gacking up big leads in important football games or rioting at Cedar Village because the weather was nice.