HEAV
07-22-2005, 02:01 PM
Jeff Metcalfe
The Arizona Republic
Jul. 22, 2005 12:00 AM
When artist Mike Sullivan decided on a Pat Tillman-like goal of painting 25 murals at stadiums around the world, he knew his starting point had to be Sun Devil Stadium.
"Once I saw the stadium and helped out with Pat's Run (in April), I approached Arizona State about doing it," said Sullivan, who is finishing a mural of Tillman at the Carson Student-Athlete Center. ASU players will pass the 7- by 8-foot mural as they walk from their locker room into the tunnel that leads into Sun Devil Stadium, where the late Tillman played for ASU (1994-97) and the Cardinals (1998-2002).
The mural, painted in Sullivan's chiseled style and on glass rather than ceramic tile for greater durability, shows Tillman in ASU home and away uniforms. He is looking onto the field in one pose and returning from the field with a victory ball held aloft in the other. Also included is his Army Ranger and ASU academic credentials and a heading: Give Em' Hell Devils!
"Pat's death (fighting in Afghanistan) touched me the same way it did everyone else," Sullivan said. "It put my life in perspective. What he did sort of makes you want to take inventory of your own life, your own standard and goals. The more I learned about him, the more I wanted to know more."
He did a painting of Tillman for the finish line at Pat's Run to benefit the Pat Tillman Foundation and has donated prints for auction at golf tournaments, such as one recently held by Tillman's former teammate Jake Plummer. He is talking with the Cardinals about a Tillman project for their new stadium in Glendale.
He is planning to do stadium murals in Great Britain, Italy and Spain, with the majority in the United States.
The Arizona Republic
Jul. 22, 2005 12:00 AM
When artist Mike Sullivan decided on a Pat Tillman-like goal of painting 25 murals at stadiums around the world, he knew his starting point had to be Sun Devil Stadium.
"Once I saw the stadium and helped out with Pat's Run (in April), I approached Arizona State about doing it," said Sullivan, who is finishing a mural of Tillman at the Carson Student-Athlete Center. ASU players will pass the 7- by 8-foot mural as they walk from their locker room into the tunnel that leads into Sun Devil Stadium, where the late Tillman played for ASU (1994-97) and the Cardinals (1998-2002).
The mural, painted in Sullivan's chiseled style and on glass rather than ceramic tile for greater durability, shows Tillman in ASU home and away uniforms. He is looking onto the field in one pose and returning from the field with a victory ball held aloft in the other. Also included is his Army Ranger and ASU academic credentials and a heading: Give Em' Hell Devils!
"Pat's death (fighting in Afghanistan) touched me the same way it did everyone else," Sullivan said. "It put my life in perspective. What he did sort of makes you want to take inventory of your own life, your own standard and goals. The more I learned about him, the more I wanted to know more."
He did a painting of Tillman for the finish line at Pat's Run to benefit the Pat Tillman Foundation and has donated prints for auction at golf tournaments, such as one recently held by Tillman's former teammate Jake Plummer. He is talking with the Cardinals about a Tillman project for their new stadium in Glendale.
He is planning to do stadium murals in Great Britain, Italy and Spain, with the majority in the United States.