Alumni Association holds 'What's On Your Plate?' contest for Sun Devils nationwide

SPARKY, SUNDVL, DVL4LF, ASUONE, AZST8T, UDEVL. Sun Devil fans across the county have been displaying their ASU pride on license plates for years. Now the ASU Alumni Association wants those same ASU fans to participate in the "What’s On Your Plate?" contest, rewarding the most creative personalized license plate with an ASU theme.

The contest will have two categories: one for those in Arizona who have an official ASU collegiate plate, and a second category for Sun Devils with an ASU-themed personalized plate living anywhere in the country. The first place winners of the Arizona version of the "What’s On Your Plate?" contest will receive two tickets to a suite in Sun Devil Stadium to watch the Duel in the Desert as the Sun Devils take on their UofA rivals on Nov. 19, as well as a Sparky Car Kit filled with ASU logo items for a vehicle. Winners of the ASU-themed license plate contest will win a $100 gas gift card and a Sparky Car Kit. The first two runners up in each category will receive a Sparky Car Kit.

Beginning Sept. 26, ASU fans can enter the "What’s On Your Plate?" contest by sending photos to sparkyplates@asu.edu. The contest will run through Oct. 29, the day of ASU Homecoming 2011. Then from Nov. 1 to 7, Sun Devil fans will be able to cast their vote for their favorite plate in each of the two categories. Winners will be announced on Nov. 14 during Beat UofA week.

Since ASU rolled out its newly redesigned all-gold license plate last year, sales increased 30 percent with more than 14,000 Sparky plates on Arizona roads. The redesigned plate also allows for six character customization, up from five in the previous design, to offer the ultimate display of personal ASU pride.

Christine K. Wilkinson, president of the ASU Alumni Association, explained that $17 of every $25 charged by the state for the license plate is allocated to the university’s Medallion Scholarship fund. The Medallion Scholarship program gives students who are Arizona residents financial support as well as the opportunity to foster their personal development and leadership skills while attending ASU.

“ASU has a tremendous base of alumni and supporters here in our state, and every Sparky plate on the road generates funding for a scholarship program specifically for Arizona students,” said Wilkinson. “We hope many Sun Devil fans show us their creativity and school support by participating in this contest.”

Hundreds of ASU Medallion Scholarship recipients have benefitted from the funds generated by proceeds from the Sparky license plate since it first hit Arizona roadways in 1989. The current Medallion Scholarship program is comprised of 103 current ASU students majoring in fields that include business, engineering and liberal arts, among many others. Twenty-three of those students will graduate in May 2012.

Sun Devil fans purchasing a Sparky plate will be charged an annual special plate fee of $25 with a $3 postage fee and an annual renewal charge of $25. Those wanting a customized license plate will be charged an additional $25 personalization fee.

For more information or to order a Sparky license plate, visit www.sparkyplates.com or contact the Motor Vehicle Division from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday by calling 602-255-0072 (Phoenix), 520-629-9808 (Tucson) or 800-251-5866 (throughout Arizona). Individuals with an existing Sparky license plate may replace it with one featuring the new design for a $5 exchange fee by visiting a local Motor Vehicle Division office.