Sun Devil fans across the country have been displaying their ASU pride on license plates for years, with personalized sentiments that have included "SPARKY," "SUNDVL," "DVL4LF," "ASUONE," "AZST8T" and "UDEVL."
The ASU Alumni Association plans to reward fans with the most creative personalized plates through its "What's On Your Plate?" contest that showcases the cleverness of its supporters.
ASU fans can enter the contest by sending photos to sparkyplates@asu.edu. The contest will run through Saturday, Oct. 19, the date of ASU's Homecoming game. From Oct. 21 to Oct. 30, Sun Devil fans will be able to cast their vote online for their favorite plate in each of the two categories, and winners will be announced in November.
The contest will have two categories: one for those in Arizona with an official ASU collegiate plate, and a second category for Sun Devils with an ASU-themed personalized license plate living anywhere in the country.
The first-place winners of the Arizona version of the contest will receive two tickets to the ASU - University of Arizona game on Nov. 30, as well as a Sparky Car Care Package, which is filled with ASU-themed items for a vehicle. The entrant receiving second place in this category will win a $25 gas gift card and a Sparky Car Care Package, and the third-place entrant will receive a Sparky Car Care Package.
The winner of the out-of-state category will win a $100 gas gift card and a Sparky Car Care Package; second place in this category receives a $25 gas gift card and a Sparky Car Care Package, and third place receives a Sparky Car Care Package.
One of the goals of the "What's on Your Plate?" contest is to raise awareness of the Alumni Association's Medallion Scholarship Program. The Medallion Scholarship program gives students who are Arizona residents financial support, as well as the opportunity to foster their personal development and leadership skills while attending ASU.
Christine K. Wilkinson, president of the Alumni Association, explained that $17 of every $25 charged by the state of Arizona for the collegiate license plate benefits the program, which is the association's signature scholarship initiative. "ASU has a tremendous base of supporters here in our state, and every Sparky license plate on the road generates funding for a scholarship program specifically for Arizona students," she said. "We hope many Sun Devil fans show us their creativity and school support by participating in this contest."
Hundreds of ASU Medallion Scholarship recipients have benefitted from the funds generated by proceeds from the Sparky license plate since it was introduced in 1989. The current Medallion Scholarship program cohort is comprised of more than 100 ASU undergraduate students, majoring in fields that include business, engineering and liberal arts, among many others.
Sun Devil fans who purchase a Sparky license plate in Arizona will be charged an annual special plate fee of $25. Those wanting a customized license plate will be charged an additional $25 personalization fee.
For more information on the "What's On Your Plate?" contest, or to order a Sparky license plate, visit www.sparkyplates.com.
