"The Spartan" statue has a new form of protection from University of Michigan fans this week.
Surrounded by a wood and metal scaffold and encased literally from head to toe in a thick, plastic-sheet walls, the statue, located at the intersection of Kalamazoo Street and Red Cedar Road, is barely visible - only its silhouette from lights inside the construction zone can be seen.
But Matthew Law, a communication junior and a member of Spartan Marching Band, said this development has hardly dampened the energy of the Sparty Watch.
"It's a little disappointing, but ultimately it's not a big deal," Law said. "It's something that needs to be done and we're excited to start with a new statue next year."
Sparty Watch is an annual event during the week leading up to the U-M and MSU football game.
Every night from 9 p.m. and into the morning, members of the marching band watch over the statue to ensure there is no vandalism perpetrated by U-M fans.
Dennis Hansen, the site construction superintendent from the Campus Park and Planning department, said an MSU police watchman is on duty every night with the statue.
Hansen said he is concerned with protecting the current project from all potential vandals, not necessarily just U-M fans. A mold is being cast of Sparty to create a new statue.
Hansen said he wasn't concerned with the effects the scaffolding might have on the Sparty Watch. The job needed to be done in mild weather and this was the earliest the mold makers could work.
"They can do the Sparty Watch regardless if Sparty is visible or not," Hansen said.
The statue will be moved into Spartan Stadium by the next football season. A new statue will be created for the intersection, but placed off the road just in front of the Demonstration Field.
Amanda Wahlig, an interdisciplinary studies in social science senior, and four-year marching band member, said the scaffolding might even make Sparty Watch easier.
The threat of vandalism is mostly a thing of the past, but the Sparty Watch continues out of tradition, Law said. The main focus of the event is now to create a way for band members to socialize and relieve stress during the hectic week before the football game.
Law said Thursday night is usually the biggest event when most of the marching band, which has more than 300 members, spends the entire night.
The significance of the tradition has remained for those who participate, said Alex Hubbell, a music education sophomore.
"It gives you an excuse to stay out late, but this is a campus treasure so, it feels important," Hubbell said.
