While the band played a-ha's "Take on Me," Sparty jumped out from the middle of the dance floor and dragged Kelly Higginbotham onto the floor to finish out the song.
A little reluctant, Higginbotham left her friends at the table and danced hand-in-hand with the 6-foot, tuxedo-wearing mascot.
"It was the highlight of my evening," the journalism sophomore said. "I was surprised.
"It was a little scary."
The Student Alumni Foundation's first winter ball brought out about 200 students Saturday night to the Kellogg Center. Tickets were $15 per person.
Proceeds from the dance support the Save Sparty campaign.
The campaign aims to raise $500,000 over three years to replace "The Spartan" statue, which stands at the intersection of Kalamazoo Street and Red Cedar Road.
The current statue would be moved to an indoor location and its replica moved back 50 feet.
Arash Mahajerin, one of the organizers of the ball, said he was happy to see so many students support a worthy cause.
"It's the biggest symbol we have," the human biology senior said. "It represents what MSU is all about."
The statue is a big draw for visitors to MSU, Mahajerin said.
"Every time someone visits campus, whether it be students, alumni, friends or family, they always take a picture in front of Sparty," he said. "It must mean something."
He said he hopes budget cuts in the university and other financial burdens don't deter students from helping out with the cause.
"For the students that don't care, hopefully there's something about MSU that you stand for," he said. "As long as you're doing something for MSU, that's cool with us."
Women walked arm-in-arm with their male escorts, comparing each other's dresses and shoes.
But when the band Brush Fire took the stage, they unstrapped their heels and danced the night away.
Elementary education sophomore Audra Hunsberger and physiology junior Josh June twisted, turned and dipped throughout most of the night.
They said they were there to support the foundation's efforts.
"It's a great idea to move (the statue) out of that intersection," June said.
Keith Williams, executive director of MSU Alumni Association, said because students will become alumni, it's important they stay involved in these kinds of projects.
"These students are doing what the alumni has always been doing," he said. "They give gifts that benefit the university because they feel that it has benefited them.
"To me, that's very important."
