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Special Programs from WKAR |  |
Sparty!
Discover the story and history of Sparty, MSU's beloved iconic statue, and follow the process as Sparty is recast in bronze.
First aired December 2005
DVD and VHS copies
Copies of "Sparty!" (in DVD or VHS) can be obtained by contacting the WKAR Membership office at 517 432-9527 or by e-mail to membership@wkar.org.
No one ever thought he would become an icon.
When a bronze statue designed by Leonard D. Jungwirth for Michigan State University was unveiled in 1945, it was not considered a news making event.
But over the years "Sparty" has become a campus icon. He provides the backdrop by which graduates pose. He is the college symbol that each year is guarded from rival school fans, determined to paint it blue and gold.
Sparty! looks at how a statue created as an artistic representation of the MSU "Spartans" became a beloved university landmark.
Produced by WKAR's Mike Mihalus, the program looks at the history of Sparty, the renovation of the sculpture to commemorate Michigan State University’s Sesquicentennial celebration and explains what Sparty means to those who are affiliated with MSU. Included are archival photos, scenes of the recasting of Sparty in 2005 in Berkeley, California, and the dedication of the newly renovated statue.
Mihalus explains the statue wasn’t considered a major news event when it was designed by Leonard Jungwirth and dedicated in 1945. “When he was built in the forties, it wasn’t a big deal,” Mihalus explains. “Jungwirth did it in his spare time and on his own. There wasn’t a lot of publicity when it happened. A picture or a person here and there that helped him, maybe. In 1945 it didn’t stop traffic. It wasn’t until time over the years that it became a campus icon.”
Those interviewed in the special include Jungwirth’s daughters; Jack Siebold, who was instrumental with the “Save Our Sparty” campaign; former MSU senior class president Leo Cropsey, who pulled the rope that unveiled Sparty in 1945; Spartan fan Mike Pearson; and Steve Smith, who was the honarary fundraising chair for the new statue.
A companion DVD includes features not seen in the broadcast version of the program.
"Sparty!" is a production of WKAR-TV
Discover the story and history of Sparty, MSU's beloved iconic statue, and follow the process as Sparty is recast in bronze.
First aired December 2005
DVD and VHS copies
Copies of "Sparty!" (in DVD or VHS) can be obtained by contacting the WKAR Membership office at 517 432-9527 or by e-mail to membership@wkar.org.
No one ever thought he would become an icon.
When a bronze statue designed by Leonard D. Jungwirth for Michigan State University was unveiled in 1945, it was not considered a news making event.
But over the years "Sparty" has become a campus icon. He provides the backdrop by which graduates pose. He is the college symbol that each year is guarded from rival school fans, determined to paint it blue and gold.
Sparty! looks at how a statue created as an artistic representation of the MSU "Spartans" became a beloved university landmark.
Produced by WKAR's Mike Mihalus, the program looks at the history of Sparty, the renovation of the sculpture to commemorate Michigan State University’s Sesquicentennial celebration and explains what Sparty means to those who are affiliated with MSU. Included are archival photos, scenes of the recasting of Sparty in 2005 in Berkeley, California, and the dedication of the newly renovated statue.
Mihalus explains the statue wasn’t considered a major news event when it was designed by Leonard Jungwirth and dedicated in 1945. “When he was built in the forties, it wasn’t a big deal,” Mihalus explains. “Jungwirth did it in his spare time and on his own. There wasn’t a lot of publicity when it happened. A picture or a person here and there that helped him, maybe. In 1945 it didn’t stop traffic. It wasn’t until time over the years that it became a campus icon.”
Those interviewed in the special include Jungwirth’s daughters; Jack Siebold, who was instrumental with the “Save Our Sparty” campaign; former MSU senior class president Leo Cropsey, who pulled the rope that unveiled Sparty in 1945; Spartan fan Mike Pearson; and Steve Smith, who was the honarary fundraising chair for the new statue.
A companion DVD includes features not seen in the broadcast version of the program.
"Sparty!" is a production of WKAR-TV
| Scenes from Sparty! |
 Wax torso portion ready for ceramic dipping. |
 Wax artisan Jose Refugio with just-completed wax torso. |
 Welding a seam on Sparty's head. |
 Metal finisher Saul Gonzales textures the welded seam on Sparty's head. |
 Wax casting is dipped in ceramic slurry to make final mold. |
 Molten bronze being poured Into ceramic molds. |
 Patina artist Tim Soucy applies the patina base. |
 New Sparty immediately after placement on campus on August 10, 2005. |
| images © WKAR - Michigan State University |
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