Mascots Archives - Spartan Newsroom

Education

Okemos High School Native American logo is left in the past for good

By meridiantimes | March 30, 2016

By Tamar Davis
The Meridian Times Staff Reporter

OKEMOS — A couple of years ago, Okemos High School changed their logo and focused on moving on from the Native American symbol that they have had as a mascot for many years. Okemos had changed the logo from a chieftain’s head to their letter “O” that represents Okemos. Some may say the Native American logo might have impacted people in a positive way, and some may say it might have impacted people in a negative way. It all depends on who you are talking to. Superintendent Catherine Ash said logos can be positive it just depends on how schools and the public are portraying that figure and that schools should be very cautious about using logos that can be offensive to people.

Campus News

Escorts Keep Sparty Going

By Spartan Newsroom | November 19, 2012

Ty Richards has a campus job unlike any other. That’s because he’s responsible for one of the most important figures on MSU’s campus. The kinesiology senior–who is now co-director of the Sparty Mascot Program–has been one of Sparty’s student escorts since he was a freshman. “It’s just so cool because it’s such a different approach you can take to being involved on campus,” Richards said. “A lot of kids just see Sparty on the football fields or basketball arena and they’re like wow that’s awesome, but being able to have the opportunity to take Sparty to events…to just lighten people’s moods is amazing.”

And Richards says it’s a job and responsibility he and the rest of the escorts hold with great pride. “Without the 15 or 20 very determined and responsible individuals that we have…the process wouldn’t be able to run, because they need to be there…they’re Sparty’s eyes and ears,” he said.