THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2007
HOMECOMING
11C
MASCOTS
Hatching new ideas: Baby Jay's beginnings
A freshman student creates the little bird on her own
BY JENNIFER TORLINE
editor@kansan.com
When Amy Hurst was "hatched" as the first Baby Jay 36 years ago, she had no idea that the mascot she created would become a KU legend.
Baby Jay was introduced to the KU community during halftime of the homecoming victory against Kansas State on Oct. 9, 1971. Hurst rolled onto the field as a blue egg, and hatched out as Baby Jay.
"When the egg opened up and I stepped out, the sound that I heard was not cheering; it was a collective 'gasp,'" Hurst said. "It was very exciting."
Hurst created the idea of Baby Jay during her freshman year at the University of Kansas in 1970. At the time, she worked at Lum's, a sports bar that used to be on 23rd Street, and her manager, Eldon Duppt, was
Big Jav.
"It began as a joke between us," Hurst said. "I kept teasing him and
telling him that he really needed a Baby Jay on the field with him at the sporting events."
Hurst said she was also inspired by a bumper sticker with Big Jay and a line of little Jayhawks running after him.
"When the egg opened up and I stepped out, the sound that I heard was not cheering; it was a collective'gasp."
"I said I would make it happen." Hurst said. "But I wanted to be the one to wear the costume."
Puett eventually introduced Hurst and her idea of a baby mascot to the executive director of the Alumni Association, Dick Wintermote. Wintermote approved Hurst's idea, but told her there was no funding for it.
AMY HURST Original Baby Jay
Mindy Ricketts/KANSAN
The original Baby Jay suit, on display on level one of the Kansas Union, was designed by Amy Hurst. It made its debut during halftime of the homecoming game against K-State on October 19, 1971, when it hatched out of an egg that Big Jay had laughed onto the 50-yard line of Memorial Stadium.
When Hurst went home to Madeira, Ohio, that summer, she and her parents made the first Baby Jay costume out of chicken wire, fiberglass and fabric. They based their design on a notebook drawing Hurst had
made of Big Jay. The costume cost them $53 to construct
"My parents didn't even know I was going to do this until I got home that summer," Hurst said. "I lifeguarded the day and made Baby lay at night."
After Hurst made her Baby Jay debut, she wore the Baby Jay costume to athletic events for her remaining three years at the University before graduating in 1974.
The Baby Jay costume was very heavy and often bruised Hurst, but for her it was "the funnest thing." Her original costume is now on display on the first floor of the Kansas Union.
During her time at the University, Hurst was the only Baby Jay to perform at all the football and basketball games.
Today, Baby and Big Jay appear at a variety of sports events, including baseball, softball, volleyball and soccer games. There are four Baby Jays and four Big Jays that share the responsibilities of 600 to 700 games and appearances. This is a feat nearly impossible for one person to accomplish, said Kamille Ratzlass, Montzeuna senior and one of the current Baby Jays.
"It would be possible if this was their job and they didn't have classes," Ratzell said. "If we were a professional mascot, we could do that."
In 2003, Hurst set up a mascot fund to help buy future costumes. She said she would continue to donate to the fund in the future though she retired from real estate development in July. Hurst currently lives in Asheville, N.C., but she said
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
During Hurst's senior year at KU, she and a photographer from The University Daily Kansan took a series of photos of Baby Jay graduates as well as photos of Baby Jay posing by various buildings on campus. Hurst graduated in 1974.
The original Baby Jay, Amy Hurst, marches along with Big Jay Eldon Pouett and the KU marching band at a football game. Puett was Hurst's manager in 1970 and the idea of Baby Jay originated as a joke between them.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
she planned on traveling for the next year.
But wherever she goes, Hurst said she would remain a KU fan and continue to believe in the outreach of Baby Jay and Big Jay to the rest of the world.
"They are your constant image of KU." Hurst said. "Nothing has to be said when they walk in the room. They say it all in the costume."
- Edited by Amelia Freidline
What do you think? BY ERIC JORGENSEN
WHY DID YOU COME TO KU?
ETHAN DEMBY Denver freshman
"Because I didn't know anyone here. I didn't want to go to where all my friends went. It'd be like going back to high school."
JOSIE HO
Macau, China, freshman "I had an alumni recommendation. They said KU is a union of harmony and the people are nice."
714 Vermont Lawrence, KS 66044 785-856-7827 www.localburger.com Local Organic, Special Diet Fries
Local Organic, Special Diet Friendly
Elke Bison Cows
lions, tigers, and bears...oh my!
Featuring The Worlds Greatest Veggie Burger
ALAINA O'BRATE
Topeka freshman
"I always liked KU J. just really like the city and the people."
CAMERON BLISS Overland Park freshman "I was raised a Jayhawk. This was pretty much my only option."
1408 W.23rd Street
1220 W.6th Street
THINK OUTSIDE THE BUN
KANSAS vs. NEBRASKA GAME DAY
Kegs and Eggs 9am -11am $3.99 25oz.Monster Mugs all day FREE shuttle to the game! (call to save your seat)
Wednesday, Nov. 7, 7:30 p.m.
no topic is off-limits, but we'll watch our *%!* mouth!
Lied Center of Kansas lied.ku.edu 785-864-2787