For the 600-plus young men and women competing in ASU’s 26 NCAA varsity sports, Sun Devil Club support is the foundation for their collegiate experience, which is unlike any other in the nation.

Arizona State provides a world-class education and a welcoming community with ties around the world. It’s a place where lifelong friendships are forged, real-world knowledge is gained from innovative leaders, role models are established, and dreams are passed on from one generation to the next. A journey that develops skills, and molds champions on the field, great spouses and parents, influencers in their respective professional fields, and civic leaders.    

As a part of our celebration of the best supporters in college athletics, we are recognizing Sun Devil Club members and season ticket holders whose support is not only creating this experience, but also changing the lives and shaping the futures of countless young men and women. 

Jody Watkins is a current Sun Devil Club member living in Southern California and is heavily involved in one of the Sun Devil Club’s signature annual events, the So. Cal Devils Golf Classic. He is the CEO/Founder of Watkins Landmark Construction located in Carlsbad, Calif., and is a graduate of the W.P. Carey School of Business.

Thank you for being a part of the Sun Devil Club and investing in our student-athletes.

Meet Jody

In what ways are you connected to ASU?
Since graduating in 1991, I have continued to follow Sun Devil Athletics. When I moved to Virginia, I would regularly attend and participate in DC Sun Devils Alumni activities. As I moved around the country, I would always fly my Sun Devil colors. When I was able to start my own business in San Diego, I incorporated the “Pitchfork” into our company logo. As our business has grown, I have increased my charitable giving to ASU clubs, events and activities. Watkins Landmark is a very proud Sun Devil-owned company.

What would you like to accomplish with your philanthropy?
Would eventually like to be the Phil Knight of ASU, but I need to grow my business substantially to accomplish that goal. I would like to make a difference. I would like to be a positive influence on the continued growth and increased national exposure of my alma mater.

What do you enjoy most about being a Sun Devil Club member?  
No real benefits, just know that I am contributing to the Alumni Sun Devil Spirit. A spirit I believe has not been utilized to its full potential.

Why do you think it is important to support collegiate athletics, and specifically Sun Devil Athletics?  
Exposure. There is no greater potential of national exposure for a university than college athletics. There is no better way to market your university to the masses. Plus, ASU has one of the most photogenic campuses in the US.  

What does it mean to you to be a Sun Devil and be a part of the Sun Devil Family? How does it help connect you with your community?  
Anybody who knows me, knows I am a Sun Devil. It has been become one of my life’s defining aspects. I am incredibly proud that my experience at ASU has had such a positive effect on my life. 

How has your experience at ASU positively impacted your life?  
When I was at ASU, at first I did not feel I was a good student. Today I would have been given an ADHD diagnosis. Back then I was a young man who had great difficulty following college courses. It was a real struggle. One professor, Art Jacobs in the W.P. Carey School of Business, took a personal interest in me and saw potential I did not know I had. When I was inducted into the Sun Devil 100 in 2016, I brought Art with me for the ceremony.

What is your most memorable Sun Devil memory?  
The athletics department used to hire the Fraternities and Sororities to clean the stadium after home games. Our fraternity cleaned one half of the stadium on Sunday night then played tackle football on the field at 4:00 AM. That was one of the most enduring memories of my time at ASU. My fraternity (Phi Gamma Delta) had just as profound effect on me as did ASU.

Describe the most exciting game/meet/match you have attended.  
Bill Frieder’s second season at ASU the Basketball team opened the season by beating Kansas on a last second shot. That was an incredible game. Beyond that, any game I got to watch either Jake Plummer or James Harden were memorable. Any game where we beat U of A is also up there.

If you could have dinner with any Sun Devil student-athlete/coach/staff member from the past, present or future, who would it be and why?  
Jake Plummer. My son is named Jake Jody Watkins. That is not a coincidence.