David Svob: Honoring a True Sun Devil
As it pertains to Arizona State University and specifically Sun Devil Athletics, sometimes a family and its name means something more around campus. The Fultons in academia, the Mullett family in athletics, but Svobs (perhaps less known than both) exist at an intersection of seemingly all things ASU.
David Svob was born to be a Sun Devil. His grandfather Robert worked for ASU for 44 years where he was responsible for campus beautification efforts, creating a foundation for what is now one of the most revered campuses in the country. David attended nursery school on campus while his father Art pursued a degree in architecture and his mother worked on campus in the business office of the Audio/Visual Department.
In 1982, Svob himself graduated from ASU, but that was the predictable outcome. He was always a Sun Devil first. He once said, “I have been afforded the ability to live many places - Seattle, Denver, Tulsa, San Diego, Bay Area – and the one constant keeping me connected to ASU is the Alumni Chapters.”
With such a deeply rooted love for the Maroon & Gold, it’s no surprise that David wasted no time setting up an endowment bearing his family name. He gave to his passion: Sun Devil Athletics. He started the Svob Family Sun Devil Endowment so that his family’s name and impact could continue to be felt by Sun Devils present and future and allow his legacy to live on in perpetuity.
On October 14, 2022, David Svob passed away suddenly in his home in Southern California. He passed having just been in Tempe to watch the Sun Devils upset No. 21 Washington and right before a trek to watch Sun Devil Hockey play Colorado College.
David Svob was a Sun Devil for Life. He is and was the very embodiment of what that means, his passing was a devastating loss for the entire Sun Devil Community. But his memory will live on. Every student-athlete who gets their chance to don the maroon & gold and benefit from the endowment David started will play their part in carrying that torch, which meant everything to David in life.
Please consider making a gift in David’s honor to the Svob Family Sun Devil Endowment, “The endowment is about those that have come before me and hopefully Svobs to come after.”