Applications were due Monday afternoon and included questions about time management and specific personality qualities, an essay, a spring semester schedule, a grade report and a health record. Applicants must also prepare a two-minute skit showcasing their ability to be Sparty. The person in the Sparty costume can be any gender, but must be between 5’11” and 6’2” and a full-time MSU student.

Janel Rutzen, program coordinator for the MSU Association of Future Alumni, said she cannot divulge the specifics of the tryout process or the number of applicants this semester.

The process is extremely secretive and applicants must sign a secrecy contract when they begin the application process.

“We refer to Sparty as ‘Sparty the character,’” Rutzen said, in reference to the fact they do not want to associate Sparty’s image with an individual person.

Rutzen added that being Sparty is a large time commitment and there is only one person in costume at a time.

“(Sparty) attends events all around the nation, supports MSU … (and) he has his own literacy tour,” Rutzen said.

The application states that final interviews will be Nov. 21-26.