Inferno ignited: Big 12 Championship watch party sparks ASU spirit (from home)
Students celebrate a touchdown scored by fan-favorite Sun Devil running back, Cam Skattebo. | Photo courtesy of Autumn Williams, Student Life Photographer
Even 1,042 miles away from the action in Arlington, Texas, the excitement and energy was just as palpable for Sun Devils that remained in the Valley on championship Saturday. On December 7, 2024, Arizona State University students, staff, and alumni gathered across all campuses to cheer on the red-hot Sun Devil football team as they took on the then-ranked #16 Iowa State Cyclones in the Dr. Pepper Big 12 Championship Game.
The success of Sun Devil Football came as a surprise to everyone across the college football world — initially projected by conference media representatives to finish last in the Big 12. That aforementioned surprise did not occur to the Sun Devil faithful, like Hunter Beitz, event director of ASU’s Programming and Activities Board (PAB).
“Surprising? No, we knew they had it in them. They've been crushing it all season, proving the doubters wrong. It's been electric to watch, and they’re just getting started,” Beitz said.
It’s an exhilarating time for all Sun Devils — and in championing Sun Devil pride, football and camaraderie, the PAB organized watch parties across the four main ASU campuses to bring the fire of the Inferno to the comfort of our Valley backyards.
Even with the event kicking off cold and early at 10:00 a.m. on the Tempe campus, “The atmosphere was buzzing with Sun Devil spirit,” Ivan Losev, PAB Tempe President, said.
At the Memorial Union North stage, all those in attendance enjoyed complimentary breakfast burritos, French toast, hot chocolate, coffee, raffle tickets and memorabilia giveaways to fuel the game-day festivities.
As the day unfolded, so did massive screens and booming speakers with a live broadcast of the big game on full display.
“Picture this: the game’s heating up and there’s a sea of maroon and gold erupting with every touchdown,” Beitz said. “Let’s be real — football is life. These events unite us, give us something to cheer for, and build that unbeatable Sun Devil pride. It’s what college is all about!”
Losev echoed Beitz’s sentiment, speaking of what it means to PAB to organize and host events like this.
“Hosting this event is an incredible way to bring the ASU community together. It’s not just about watching the game — it’s about building connections, celebrating our team’s achievements and fostering school pride. Events like this are what make ASU such a vibrant and inclusive campus.”
The Big 12 championship resulted in a resounding 45-19 victory for the Sun Devils — booking their ticket to the College Football Playoff quarterfinal, earning a first-round bye and a commanding rank as the nation’s four-seed.
Both Beitz and Losev were confident in ASU’s chances going into the game.
“Let’s face it: we were walking out with the win. This isn’t just a game; it’s a Sun Devil celebration,” said Beitz. Losev added, “The Sun Devil football team has been phenomenal this season. Their dedication, hard work and team spirit have brought us to this exciting moment.”
What’s next for both the Sun Devil football team and the PAB? The Iron Devils will enjoy a well-deserved break from gameday action until they have to pack their bags for Atlanta, where they will host the victor between Texas and Clemson on New Year’s Day in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Amber Yu, PAB Advisor, has indicated that future watch parties will be on the horizon.
“PAB is looking forward to continuing support for our amazing athletics teams through hosting a variety of events that range from watch parties to Fork ‘Em Fridays! It has been such a joy to see students get excited for game days, and I cannot wait to see what the future has in store,” Yu said.
In regards to Sun Devil Football, everything is still TBD until the results of the Peach Bowl are known and finalized. Until then, Yu encourages students to mark their calendars “for the spring semester and keep an eye out for our events that will support our men’s basketball team as we watch them get these wins,” hinting at marquee matchups against some big names in the Big 12.
Losev assured that these PAB events will be hosted across all ASU campuses, ensuring that Sun Devil Nation could come together no matter their location.
“Students on every campus can join in the fun. Check your campus’ PAB social media pages for more news and details!” Losev said.
This year has been a thrilling journey for Sun Devil Football, and for all of Sun Devil athletics. Through experiences like the PAB watch parties, Sun Devils no longer have to be at the game in order to “be at the game.”
Win, lose or draw, it feels good to be a Sun Devil sports fan right now. Beitz hopes that anyone interested in attending a future PAB sports event will, “show up, bring your loudest cheers and we’ll make it legendary! Fear the fork, baby!”