TEMPE – In 2023, a seismic shift reshaped the Division I college athletics landscape during the height of conference realignment. Arizona State and six other programs joined the Big 12 Conference, marking a new chapter in Sun Devil Athletics history. But the move wasn't just about new opponents or coast-to-coast travel. It brought a cultural shift that the program has welcomed with open arms while embracing a new identity rooted deep in the heart of Texas.
For ASU, the move to the Big 12 signified more than just games in other time zones. The connection between the university and the state of Texas is more powerful than ever and continues to flourish.
That connection is best captured in a phrase gaining momentum throughout Sun Devil Athletics: "Texas to Tempe." Popularized within the football program, the slogan reflects the growing influence of Texas talent, culture, and recruiting on the Sun Devils' athletic programs.
ASU assistant coach Bryan Carrington has been a driving force behind the movement. A Houston native, Carrington is no stranger to the Big 12 or the state of Texas, having previously worked at Texas, TCU, and Houston.
Coach Carrington has helped pioneer the Texas to Tempe influence at ASU, weaving it into the program's culture and making it more than just a slogan.
"It's not like we're just trying to put it on billboards and trying to market it. We're actually living it," Carrington said.
"The culture in the state of Texas - from a football standpoint - it's almost like a religion," the defensive backs coach said. "The landscape of Big 12 football and sports in general is like an extension of the Texas high school family."
Carrington, a highly regarded recruiter, has used his familiarity with the state to make an impact on the program in more ways than one.
His deep ties to the region, both professionally and culturally, have helped position ASU as a serious player in a competitive Texas recruiting landscape.
"To win the Big 12, your program has to have a footprint in the state of Texas," he said. "Now, it's important to have a brand and a landscape outside of your proximity. Whether those pipelines are in Texas, California, or Polynesia, it is key to have several pipelines outside of your community."
Carrington has special connections with many players in the program. However, one that truly stands apart is talented redshirt junior Xavion Alford.
Alford, the Pearland, Texas native, has been with Bryan Carrington at every step of his collegiate career, playing at both Texas and USC while Carrington was a part of each program's staff.
The standout safety has been instrumental in the Sun Devils' success and a key figure in building the Texas to Tempe culture.
"There weren't as many Texas guys when I first got here. Then we started shaping the roster with more. We started winning those games in Texas, playing against the University of Texas in a big game with millions of people watching. It's just good to see how far we've come," Alford said. "Bringing the Texas brand to Arizona and establishing it as a part of the Arizona State culture, it has been fun to see."
For Alford and the 22 other Texas natives on the 2024 roster, winning those games in their home state — especially on the biggest stage — was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The Sun Devils won the 2024 Big 12 Championship game against Iowa State in the conference's biggest game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
"It was just surreal; it's a blessing," Alford said. "I'm glad I got to experience that. Not a lot of people get to say they won a championship there."
Junior defensive lineman C.J. Fite has also been an instrumental part of the movement, especially from a competitive standpoint.
"Coming from Texas, you just have a little chip on your shoulder," Fite said. "There's a lot of good players in Texas. So, why would you not want to recruit there and be a part of that?"
Fite, a fiery leader on defense, has found a brotherhood among his fellow Texans on the roster.
"It feels good to have another subculture within the program," the Tatum, Texas native said. "Anytime something goes down, or somebody brings up a high school, we always back up East Texas."
However, the Texas to Tempe connection extends far beyond the football field at ASU.
There are currently 23,356 ASU alumni who reside in Texas, which is third among all states, behind only Arizona and California.
ASU's ties to Texas have deepened, with alumni networks rapidly expanding across the state.
"The Big 12 is Texas-based, and that has pulled ASU into Texas even more," said Brent DeRaad, ASU alumnus and president/CEO of the Arlington, Texas, Convention and Visitors Bureau. "There's a visible footprint you're seeing; it's just a great opportunity for us to be more involved here, from a Texas perspective, in ASU athletics and academics."
DeRaad is a pivotal figure in the Arlington area and is a part of the ASU-Dallas leadership council.
"[The Dallas alumni chapter] is a great opportunity. We get together and talk through everything that's happening at ASU," DeRaad said. "I think for us, it's just about staying involved and engaged and being able to give back to Arizona State."
ASU's footprint in Texas is poised to continue to grow, and alumni chapters are a pivotal part of maintaining presence and support for Sun Devil athletics across the state.
The shift to the Big 12 has brought new faces and opportunities to the alumni chapters in Texas.
Vice President of the ASU Alumni Association, Morgan Harrison, is leading the charge on navigating the uncharted territory that comes with being in a new conference.
"I think there are many more opportunities that we're still exploring," Harrison said. "We're all trying to figure out this new adjustment, and our alumni are excited. Our goal is to engage more alums and have a bigger turnout for our student athletes because we want to support them wherever they go, especially in Texas."
Gaining traction in an area with so many competing schools is a challenge that ASU has welcomed head-on.
"Being in Texas, you're surrounded by Texas Tech alums, Baylor alums, TCU alums, Houston alums and by all these different big 12 teams," Dallas-Fort Worth alumni chapter president Reid Hendrix said. "The number of Texans and North Texans specifically that are going to ASU is a lot; we've grown tremendously."
Whether on the field or beyond it, ASU's growing connection with Texas is poised to play a key role in the future of Sun Devil Athletics.
For ASU, the move to the Big 12 signified more than just games in other time zones. The connection between the university and the state of Texas is more powerful than ever and continues to flourish.
That connection is best captured in a phrase gaining momentum throughout Sun Devil Athletics: "Texas to Tempe." Popularized within the football program, the slogan reflects the growing influence of Texas talent, culture, and recruiting on the Sun Devils' athletic programs.
ASU assistant coach Bryan Carrington has been a driving force behind the movement. A Houston native, Carrington is no stranger to the Big 12 or the state of Texas, having previously worked at Texas, TCU, and Houston.
Coach Carrington has helped pioneer the Texas to Tempe influence at ASU, weaving it into the program's culture and making it more than just a slogan.
"It's not like we're just trying to put it on billboards and trying to market it. We're actually living it," Carrington said.
"The culture in the state of Texas - from a football standpoint - it's almost like a religion," the defensive backs coach said. "The landscape of Big 12 football and sports in general is like an extension of the Texas high school family."
Carrington, a highly regarded recruiter, has used his familiarity with the state to make an impact on the program in more ways than one.
His deep ties to the region, both professionally and culturally, have helped position ASU as a serious player in a competitive Texas recruiting landscape.
"To win the Big 12, your program has to have a footprint in the state of Texas," he said. "Now, it's important to have a brand and a landscape outside of your proximity. Whether those pipelines are in Texas, California, or Polynesia, it is key to have several pipelines outside of your community."
Carrington has special connections with many players in the program. However, one that truly stands apart is talented redshirt junior Xavion Alford.
Alford, the Pearland, Texas native, has been with Bryan Carrington at every step of his collegiate career, playing at both Texas and USC while Carrington was a part of each program's staff.
The standout safety has been instrumental in the Sun Devils' success and a key figure in building the Texas to Tempe culture.
"There weren't as many Texas guys when I first got here. Then we started shaping the roster with more. We started winning those games in Texas, playing against the University of Texas in a big game with millions of people watching. It's just good to see how far we've come," Alford said. "Bringing the Texas brand to Arizona and establishing it as a part of the Arizona State culture, it has been fun to see."
For Alford and the 22 other Texas natives on the 2024 roster, winning those games in their home state — especially on the biggest stage — was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The Sun Devils won the 2024 Big 12 Championship game against Iowa State in the conference's biggest game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
"It was just surreal; it's a blessing," Alford said. "I'm glad I got to experience that. Not a lot of people get to say they won a championship there."
Junior defensive lineman C.J. Fite has also been an instrumental part of the movement, especially from a competitive standpoint.
"Coming from Texas, you just have a little chip on your shoulder," Fite said. "There's a lot of good players in Texas. So, why would you not want to recruit there and be a part of that?"
Fite, a fiery leader on defense, has found a brotherhood among his fellow Texans on the roster.
"It feels good to have another subculture within the program," the Tatum, Texas native said. "Anytime something goes down, or somebody brings up a high school, we always back up East Texas."
However, the Texas to Tempe connection extends far beyond the football field at ASU.
There are currently 23,356 ASU alumni who reside in Texas, which is third among all states, behind only Arizona and California.
ASU's ties to Texas have deepened, with alumni networks rapidly expanding across the state.
"The Big 12 is Texas-based, and that has pulled ASU into Texas even more," said Brent DeRaad, ASU alumnus and president/CEO of the Arlington, Texas, Convention and Visitors Bureau. "There's a visible footprint you're seeing; it's just a great opportunity for us to be more involved here, from a Texas perspective, in ASU athletics and academics."
DeRaad is a pivotal figure in the Arlington area and is a part of the ASU-Dallas leadership council.
"[The Dallas alumni chapter] is a great opportunity. We get together and talk through everything that's happening at ASU," DeRaad said. "I think for us, it's just about staying involved and engaged and being able to give back to Arizona State."
ASU's footprint in Texas is poised to continue to grow, and alumni chapters are a pivotal part of maintaining presence and support for Sun Devil athletics across the state.
The shift to the Big 12 has brought new faces and opportunities to the alumni chapters in Texas.
Vice President of the ASU Alumni Association, Morgan Harrison, is leading the charge on navigating the uncharted territory that comes with being in a new conference.
"I think there are many more opportunities that we're still exploring," Harrison said. "We're all trying to figure out this new adjustment, and our alumni are excited. Our goal is to engage more alums and have a bigger turnout for our student athletes because we want to support them wherever they go, especially in Texas."
Gaining traction in an area with so many competing schools is a challenge that ASU has welcomed head-on.
"Being in Texas, you're surrounded by Texas Tech alums, Baylor alums, TCU alums, Houston alums and by all these different big 12 teams," Dallas-Fort Worth alumni chapter president Reid Hendrix said. "The number of Texans and North Texans specifically that are going to ASU is a lot; we've grown tremendously."
Whether on the field or beyond it, ASU's growing connection with Texas is poised to play a key role in the future of Sun Devil Athletics.