2022_TempeVG

Visiting
Arizona State University
Tempe Campus
By Jake Poinier
Cactus Sports
ASU Tempe Campus
Slaven Gujic
Founded in 1885—nearly three decades before Arizona earned statehood—Arizona State University has a long, proud tradition of
educational and athletic excellence, and an energetic student spirit. Of all the undergraduate and graduate students enrolled each
year, more than a third are located at the ASU Tempe Campus. If you’re here for a few hours—rather than four years—here’s a quick
look at the key landmarks to see.
ASU SPORTS
ASU FOOTBALL
The Sun Devils take home-field advantage at Frank Kush Field at Sun
Devil Stadium, where throughout its 125-year history, the team has
played in 33 bowl games and has won 17 conference championships
and three Pac-12 titles. The most notable players and coaches to
grace Frank Kush Field are Pat Tillman and Terrell Suggs, and Hall of
Fame coaches Dan Devine and John Cooper.
IT’S GAME TIME
The buzz begins with several pregame tailgate options, including the
Sun Devil Oasis fan-fest experience south of Desert Financial Arena.
To get the adrenaline pumping at the start of every game, fireworks
light up the sky and Sun Devils cheer to a video of Sparky, ASU’s
mascot, stomping on the opposing team’s bus. Fans who crave a
cold beer and game time snacks won’t be disappointed with options
ranging from the traditional Super Dog to pizza, burritos, Chick-fil-A
and shaved ice for those warm fall days.
FAN FEVER
Sun Devil fans are enthusiastic and boisterous, making it a
notoriously challenging environment for away teams. Clad in maroon
and gold from top to bottom, loyal fans carry on such game-day
traditions as jingling their keys during kickoffs, waving a “fork’s up”
three-finger hand gesture when there’s a third down and counting
mascot Sparky’s pushups whenever the Sun Devils score.
SUN DEVIL STADIUM
Tucked between a pair of desert buttes, Sun Devil Stadium has cut
an imposing figure on the Tempe skyline since 1958. In addition to
being the home of the ASU Sun Devil football team, the 53,599-seat
venue has hosted the National Football League’s 1996 Super Bowl,
the NCAA’s 2008 Insight Bowl and the Fiesta Bowl from 1971 to
2006. The stadium has been updated many times and most recently
underwent a $304 million renovation. thesundevils.com
Sun Devil Football Stadium
DESERT FINANCIAL ARENA
Just east of Sun Devil Stadium
sits Desert Financial Arena.
This 14,000-seat multi-purpose
arena serves as the home
for ASU men’s and women’s
basketball, volleyball, gymnastics
and wrestling. Built in 1974, the
venue is known for its excellent
sightlines, recently augmented
with a multimillion-dollar centercourt
video scoreboard and new
game statistics boards.
thesundevils.com/facilities/
desert-financial-arena/14
WHERE TO BUY TICKETS
Tickets for ASU athletics are
available at the Sun Devil Ticket
Office by calling (480) 727-0000 or
visit thesundevils.com/sports/tix
GEAR UP WITH YOUR FORKS UP
CACTUS SPORTS
Since 1992, Cactus Sports has
been a go-to for officially licensed
ASU clothing, merchandise and
gifts. Located in the heart of
Downtown Tempe, the shop is
locally owned and operated by
ASU Alumni, and you can feel
good about the fact that Cactus
Sports contributes royalties from
every purchase to support the
university. cactussports.com
SUN DEVIL CAMPUS STORE
Sure, the Sun Devil Campus Store
is where students come to buy
and sell textbooks and academic
supplies, but let’s be honest:
That’s not where the fun is. For
students, alumni and team fans,
the ASU spirit shines through
loud and clear with a full range of
ASU gifts and logo apparel from
popular brands such as Adidas,
Lululemon and Champion.
E. Orange St. - bkstr.com/
arizonastatestore
SUN DEVIL MARKETPLACE
In addition to a full roster of ASU
apparel and gifts, books, school
supplies and technology, the
Sun Devil Marketplace features
a Grab ‘N’ Go market for meals
and snacks. Upstairs, there’s an
adaptable community room for
hosting meetings and events
and a coffee and wine bar if you
just want to chill and relax.
S. College Ave. - bkstr.com/
arizonastatestore
HIDDEN GEMS ON THE ASU
TEMPE CAMPUS
“AIR APPARENT”, A
SKYSPACE DESIGNED BY
JAMES TURRELL
On the eastern edge of the
Tempe ASU Campus, near the
intersection of Rural and Terrace
Road, you will discover this
artistic interpretation of Native
American Hohokam shade
ramadas and pit houses. The
changing light display makes
this a special place to be at
sunset and sunrise.
PALM WALK
Extending from the Palm Walk
Overpass to the north, and the
Sun Devil Fitness Complex to the
south, is ASU’s iconic Palm Walk.
Lined with more than 100 palm
trees, the walk is the main route
through the center of campus—
and a classic Instagram moment
for any ASU visit.
PALM WALK OVERPASS
Also known as the University
Bridge, the Palm Walk Overpass
spans University Drive to
give pedestrians easy access
between the north and central
campus areas—and it’s a prime
location for sunset watching, too.
NOVUS PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE
Speaking of bridges, a stylish
new pedestrian bridge on
University Drive connects the
Novus Innovation Corridor
with the ASU Tempe campus.
In addition to the architectural
appeal, steel fins keep things
cool during the day and provide
light at night.
SECRET GARDEN
Hidden between Dixie Gammage
Hall (on Forest Mall across
from Coor Hall) and West Mall
is the Secret Garden, a serene
courtyard with lush vegetation
and comfy seating that provides
an escape from the hustle and
bustle of campus life.
OLD MAIN
With its prominent place in the
center of campus, this historic
three-story, red-brick Victorian
building is among the most
beautiful architectural works
at ASU. It’s also the site of an
impromptu speech by President
Theodore Roosevelt when he
came to Arizona to dedicate the
Roosevelt Dam in 1911.
HAYDEN LIBRARY
Also located in the heart of
campus, the iconic midcentury
Hayden Library completed a $90
million renovation in 2020, which
focused on increasing accessibility
and engagement, and enhanced
features, including a new welcome
plaza, a gold staircase and a mural
honoring indigenous cultures.
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