Baby Jay

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Baby Jay is one of the mascots of the University of Kansas's sports teams. She and fellow mascot Big Jay are Jayhawks. Baby Jay was created by student Amy Sue Hurst and "hatched" at half-time of KU's Homecoming victory in football over Kansas State University on October 9, 1971, and has served as a mascot ever since.[1]

Contents

In 1970 Amy Sue Hurst saw a Jayhawk bumper sticker depicting Big Jay and hatchlings which inspired her to create a new mascot.[2] After talking to a co-worker who was a Big Jay[3] and getting approval from the KU Alumni Association[4] she created Baby Jay.

Baby Jay made her official debut October 9, 1971 during the half-time of KU's homecoming game against in-state rivals Kansas State University. In front of 55,000 fans Big Jay hauled a large egg to the 50-yard line of Memorial Stadium. A few moments later Baby Jay "hatched" from the artificial egg and has served as an ambassador of KU at events across the country ever since.[5]

The selection process to become Baby Jay is generally during the spring semester. The student applicant must create an original skit. The skit can last no longer than one minute and must include a plot with music and props. The student must also meet several physical conditions. To be able to fit into the Baby Jay costume the student must be between 4 ft 11 in and 5 ft 1 in tall.[6] The auditioning process may also include 20 minutes of running, performing an entrance and exit routine, emotion and reaction exercises, dancing with the pep band and leading cheers.[7]

The primary duty of Baby Jay is to be an ambassador of KU, roaming the sidelines at football and basketball games giving hugs to youngsters.[8] Baby Jay, being smaller than Big Jay, is often involved in entertaining children and adding comedic relief. She is also present at most major university events such as athletic competitions, Tradition Night[9], Band Spectacular[10] and graduation.[11]

Baby Jay is also seen in the community attending weddings, opening the Godzilla film festival[12], or even lobbying legislators to fund higher education.[13] In return for these services Baby Jay receives either a $100 or $400 scholarship per semester.[14]

  • In September 1978 the Baby Jay costume was kidnapped but returned in time for homecoming.[17]
  • At least one marriage has resulted between students who were Big Jay and Baby Jay.[18]
  • Amy Hurst Rachman, the original Baby Jay, started a fund in 2003 to help cover the cost of the $5,000 costume that is replaced every two years.[19]

  1. ^ Take the Jayhawk Walk (English). Retrieved on March 4, 2007.
  2. ^ Original Baby Jay Now Roosting in Kansas Union (English). Retrieved on March 4, 2007.
  3. ^ Fund Helps Support Baby Jay Costume (English). Retrieved on March 4, 2007.
  4. ^ Baby Jays to Reunite (English). Retrieved on March 4, 2007.
  5. ^ KU Heritage & Traditions (English). Retrieved on March 4, 2007.
  6. ^ Baby Jay FAQs (English). Retrieved on March 4, 2007.
  7. ^ Baby Jays to Reunite (English). Retrieved on March 4, 2007.
  8. ^ The Word on the Bird (English). Retrieved on March 4, 2007.
  9. ^ Traditions Night Stirs Spirit For New Jayhawk Students (English). Retrieved on March 4, 2007.
  10. ^ BAND SPECTACULAR! (English). Retrieved on March 4, 2007.
  11. ^ Ending Their KU Years With Plenty of Cheers (English). Retrieved on March 4, 2007.
  12. ^ Baby Jay to Inflate Godzilla (English). Retrieved on March 4, 2007.
  13. ^ Hemenway Blasts House Budget Plans (English). Retrieved on March 4, 2007.
  14. ^ Baby Jay FAQs (English). Retrieved on March 4, 2007.
  15. ^ Fund Helps Support Baby Jay Costume (English). Retrieved on March 4, 2007.
  16. ^ Original Baby Jay Now Roosting in Kansas Union (English). Retrieved on March 4, 2007.
  17. ^ The Jayhawk (English). Retrieved on March 4, 2007.
  18. ^ Baby Jays to Reunite (English). Retrieved on March 4, 2007.
  19. ^ KU Baby Jay Mascot Creators Establish Fund (English). Retrieved on March 4, 2007.

  • Downs, Deeann (1997). The Big Blue Eggventure: The Hatching of the Baby Jay. Kr Book Company. ISBN 0-9658-3920-6. 


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