UA paint prank quickly undone

University of Arizona-loyal pranksters apparently made the four-hour round trip to Tempe early Sunday morning and painted Arizona State University's "A" mountain red and blue in honor of the Wildcats.

However, the ASU "A" didn't remain blemished for long, as about 10 ASU students restored the "A" to its traditional gold in about 30 minutes around 9 a.m. yesterday, said ASU junior Ryan Krostue, president of the student alumni association.

"They're getting pretty good at it," Krostue said of the annual job, which used eight gallons of gold paint donated by an ASU alum.

ASU police said yesterday they were unaware it had even been vandalized.

"I didn't even notice," said Sgt. Van Montoya of the Arizona State Police Department.

Montoya added the letter, which rests at the end of North Stadium Drive in Tempe, is not visible from police headquarters and no report was filed.

Montoya said it was unlikely the department would attempt to locate the UA painters.

"Technically, someone could be charged with vandalism, but it's only paint," he said. "It would be up to the county attorney."

Krostue added ASU students will set up a perimeter to prevent future pranks, as a group of 30 students will camp out on the mountain until Friday's game.

"They'll be keeping an eye on it," he added.

In a possibly related incident, maroon and gold balloons were found tied to light poles around the UA campus yesterday morning.