MSU’s ‘Sparty’ Will No Longer Be Allowed At Parades

The long time Spartan mascot is retiring from the parade business for a pretty obvious reason.

Summertime parades can get awful hot, and if you're in a mascot costume, the sweat and the stench is a little too much, so the school is no longer allowing Sparty out to participate.

MSU spokesperson Emily Guerrant said the students who man the mascot can be injured in high heat situations, causing a health risk the University is no longer willing to take.

"The MSU Alumni Office has decided that as of May 1, 2019 Sparty will no longer be able to participate in parades. This decision was made due to health concerns for Sparty and his team.

"Participating in parades increases the risk of heat stroke and health related concerns regardless of temperature and duration. It is our responsibility to ensure the safety of Sparty and his team."

Guerrant made the announcement in a letter to the Lansing State Journal. While she admitted their have never been any instances where students inside the Sparty costume have ever been in danger, there were concerns because students tend to 'push themselves too hard' while dressed as Sparty in an effort to represent the school well.

Sparty is in high demand for parades and Festivals throughout Michigan in the summer. The mascot will continue to patrol the sidelines at football and basketball games, and perticipate in MSU homecoming activities.

Full disclosure: Me and Sparty got along fine together.