THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2008
HOMECOMING SECTION
3C
MASCOT
The Secret Life of your local mascot
An in-depth look at when the Jayhawk was created and how it got its wings
BY TRIGG EDWARDS tedwards@kansan.com
Walk through the Edwards campus at any time of day, and there will be an absolute certainty that statues and pictures of the image which is most associated with the University of Kansas will come into sight: the Jayhawk. This great mythical bird is on almost anything and everything remotely connected to the University. Jayhawks are see on T-shirts, shorts, pants, backpacks, and even on notepads. The Jayhawk seems to exist as if it had the tremendous ability to be in many places at once.
Now, the one 3-D embodiment of the Jayhawk and therefore, the University of Kansas, is the mascot. The mascots are not comprised of a suited duo but instead
they are cohesive unit that functions as if they were two indistinguishable partners. To do so
those who are mascots never reveal their true identity; this means to anyone — the media, their professors and most certainly that random stranger they met at a bar. But once their tenures as
them you're a Jayhawk mascot. It is highly discouraged to tell people you're a mascot. We never broke
"It became like an alter ego. I was one person in suit and another out of the suit."
JESSICA VIET
Former Jayhawk Mascot
mascots have ended, the former Big and Little Jays are lifted from this code.
Nick Ekker, 2006 graduate, recalled his time as a mascot and also commented on this rule. "You couldn't go up to people and tell
the 4th wall." Ekker said. Both the little and big Jays are bound by honor to avoid breaking character because, in the words of former masco Adam Reese, 2006 Graduate. "If you break character you
crush the dreams of little children everywhere."
The life of a mascot often goes unseen. It remains to be in the shadows, yet is still shining in the light.
"The athletic events are part of
Weston White/KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Nelson White IKANSKY FILE PHOTO
Ian marsh, Overland Park resident and husband of a Kansas graduate holds his two year old daughter, Lindsay Marsh, up to meet Jay, Ian and Lindsay Maresh were in attendance at the 2008 Men's篮球 Awards Ceremony.
what you have to do; they are promotions, birth day parties, weddings and funerals." Ekker said, "I did a Capital One commercial. The first thing I had to travel for was a commercial with three other mascots." The busiest time for every Jayhawk is indeed homecoming. It is when the spirit squad and the Jayhawk are always in high demand; they are wanted at numerous events throughout the greater Lawrence area. It takes a high toll on them, and as a result, fatigue sets in. But like the mythical Jayhawk, they fight on.
"There are tailgates, parties, the alumni associations, parades and photo opportunities," Ekker said. "It was like being a kid and being able up play around." The climax of homecoming just so happens to be a Big 12 conference football game.
Game day, was and still remains to this day, a breath-defying experience that none of the former jays could possibly forget. Nerves run high — especially during the first game. When you can draw the attention of thousands of people, pride steps in the way. The games for Chris Viet. 2005 graduate, were a great but nerve-racking events.
"It's a big deal. I was always nervous the first times, once I got into it, it was second nature. The first few times were tough to adapt." Viet said.
Wherever the KU teammate goes so follows at least one mascot. In the past, one of these mascots was Jessica Viet, 2006 Graduate, who is married to Chris Viet. Going to the away games can be a intimidating situation. You're facing thousands of blood-thirsty people just waiting for KU to lose — and lose soundly.
"Depends on the game, if its Kansas State University or Mizzou you send Big Jay cause there is a risk of altercation," Viet said. "But basketball, you only travel
for tournament games. You always trade off." Those who have the fortune of going to the tournament games often do so because of seniority. All of the mascots will be seen fully suited during games, but few will know the ends and outs of their daily lives.
As mascots, living a double life comes with the job. Sadly, like every great superhero, the other life they led caught up to them. The alter ego eventually met its counterpart.
"It became like an alter ego. I was one person in suit and another out of the suit. It was fun to be somebody completely different." Viet said. The time in the mascot would be reflected even when they are out of the suit.
"My friend had the big Jay walk when he was walking around campus. You would over exaggerate everything," said Chris Viet. "It feeds into your regular life."
The privilege of becoming a mascot is too tangible of an honor to take lightly. There was a sense of duty among the former
"Its an honor to be the mascot Its not something you can use at your own discretion." Viet said.
mascots who were interviewed that is presently as it was during their time at the University. It's something that simply can never be taken away from them. Nothing could possibly interfere with their time as a mascot.
Edited by Andy Greenhaw
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