ASU News
Sports
From the court to the lab and beyond, it's game on
From Cronkite to the world’s biggest sports stage: ASU alum Marco Peralta finds his voice at the World Cup
When Cronkite alum Marco Peralta took his place in front of the microphone at the FIFA World Cup 2026, he was living the moment he had spent years chasing. After growing up in the small border town of El Centro, California, Peralta had made it to the world’s premier sporting event.
Sparky, ASU’s official mascot, is packing his bags to head across the pond this summer to promote ASU London and the Union Jack Classic football game.
Through football stadium tours, meetings with club executives and hands-on marketing challenges, a group of ASU sports business students got a firsthand look at how the industry works in London — one of the world's top sports markets.
More sports stories
How the ‘Homeboys’ and 3-a-day practices led to a Rose Bowl win
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the 1986 ASU football team that went 10-1-1, won the Pac-10 title and beat Michigan in the Rose Bowl. ASU News is celebrating by sharing an oral history of the event, told by the people who lived it.
Examining the connection between sport and global relationships
As the world turns its attention to the United States during the FIFA World Cup, sport’s role in shaping the U.S.'s relationship with the rest of the world is one to explore — and one lab at Arizona State University has a head start.
Cactus Bowl returns to Mountain America Stadium
The Cactus Bowl, most recently known as the Rate Bowl, is not only returning to its former name but also to ASU, where it was held at then-Sun Devil Stadium from 2006 to 2015.
Football worlds collide with World Cup
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup arrives in North America, ASU’s Andrés Martinez reflects on soccer’s growth in the U.S. and explores the convergence of fútbol and American football in his new book.
West Valley takes off
The West Valley is emerging as a hub for logistics, athletics and advanced manufacturing, with local businesses gaining momentum from the growth. See how this fast-growing region benefits from ASU’s small business support and programs, like engineering, supply chain logistics, sports psychology and others, that prepare students for in-demand jobs.
This ASU grad has a supersize dose of school spirit
After years of keeping her secret, Sydney Lindon-Lake — who is graduating this May with a Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary studies — can finally come clean: She’s Sparky.
MORE FROM SUN DEVIL ATHLETICS: For game stories, athlete spotlights and schedules, visit sundevils.com.