A 9-foot 7-inch ceramic statue celebrated its 58th birthday Monday.

Sparty, considered to be the world's tallest free-standing ceramic sculpture, had a party thrown by him by Johnny Spirit.

Spirit considers himself the protector and guardian of the statue. He also helps perform "Sparty Watch," a 24-hour guarding of the statue when rival sport teams come to campus. Sparty stands at Red Cedar Road, Kalamazoo Street and Chestnut Road.

"During Sparty Watch, we stay for 24 hours a day for two or three weeks," Spirit said.

Spirit decorated the statue in a green and white birthday hat that read "Happy 58th Birthday Sparty." He provided those wishing to participate in the festivities with hot dogs, polish sausages, steak, pork chops and chicken breasts that were donated by local vendors, he said.

Business marketing senior Koren Ivie attended the celebration for the first time and said Spirit has renewed her Spartan spirit.

"It's really uplifting to see that some people are dedicated to our school," Ivie said. "He gave me a little more pride in my school."

Some students who were unable to attend the celebration were impressed with Spirit's level of dedication.

"I couldn't go because I had to study for an exam," telecommunications junior Heather Canter said. "But I think it's great to have a positive role model represent our school like that."

Jeff Kacos, director of Campus Park and Planning, said many Spartans have a fondness for the statue.

"I think anyone that has ever attended MSU has a warm spot for Sparty," he said. "He's the icon of the university."

Campus Park and Planning will be replacing the current statue with one made of bronze that will be able to withstand the weather, Kacos said. The department has a $500,000 budget that includes an endowment for ongoing maintenance to preserve the new statue.

The statue will be moved south for future traffic improvements and is planned to have the same size and design as the current statue. The new Sparty is expected to be completed in 2005.