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Arizona State University was originally established as the Territorial Normal School at Tempe in 1885. Its purpose was to train teachers to serve the growing population of Arizona, which was still a U.S. territory at the time. The institution started with just 33 students.

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In 1958, Arizona voters approved a measure to change the school’s name from Arizona State College to Arizona State University. This marked a pivotal point in the institution’s development, symbolizing its growing status and expansion beyond teacher education into a full-fledged university.

ASU adopted the "Sun Devil" mascot in 1946, after a student vote led to a decision to change the original mascot from the Bulldogs. Sparky the Sun Devil, designed by Disney animator Bert Anthony, quickly became an iconic symbol of school spirit.