LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- The Sun Devil Caravan kicked off its 2016 tour in Sin City with Vice President for University Athletics Ray Anderson, head football coach Todd Graham, and head triathlon coach Cliff English, along with student-athletes, 942 Crew members and the ASU Marching Band.
The two-day trip started off with Sparky's tour, a pep-rally and youth education assembly where Sun Devil student-athletes interact with children and teach the value of personal character and healthy living. The program focuses on the six character traits using the acronym S.P.A.R.K.Y. - Self-discipline, Positive, Active, Respect, Knowledge and Yourself.
Viva Las Vegas Sparky’s Tour. #SunDevilCaravan pic.twitter.com/3ijCbxNGg5
— Sun Devil Athletics (@TheSunDevils) May 10, 2016
After visiting the local Las Vegas school, the caravan traveled to Catholic Charities of Las Vegas to help prepare food for their meal service and beautify their campus by picking up litter outside the complex. Meanwhile, Coach Graham visited former Sun Devil Louis Rappaport, the oldest living ASU football player and Las Vegas resident.
Coach Graham and @FootballASU alum Louis Rappaport, who celebrates his 101st birthday on May 18. #SunDevilCaravan pic.twitter.com/4rxMb85Szn
— Sun Devil Athletics (@TheSunDevils) May 11, 2016
Finally, the Las Vegas Caravan ended with a meet and greet at the Hard Rock Cafe at the Hard Rock Hotel. Fans gathered to listen to English, Graham, and Anderson discuss the future of Sun Devil Athletics.
On the trip back home to Tempe, Ariz., the student-athletes, 942 Crew, and band members stopped in Whittman, Ariz. to put on one more Sparky's Tour for a local elementary and middle school. Back in Arizona, Sparky was mobbed by kids wanting high fives and hugs, and the students even ran to wave goodbye as the bus headed back to ASU.
Next up, the Sun Devil Caravan travels to Maricopa on Tuesday, May 17. For more information visit www.thesundevils.com/caravan.