Sparty’s first look took the form of a massive paper mache head worn on a man’s shoulders, a common look for mascots at the time. The mascot first made its debut in the 1954 Rose Bowl parade, and the first head measured about six feet tall. The original head is believed to have been made by fraternity Theta Xi and was supposedly stolen during a MSU vs. University of Michigan game and burned in 1955.

This picture features an early Sparty with former MSU Director of Bands Leonard Falcone, leading the marching band during a trip to the Rose Bowl in 1956.