Mascot ends career
By MIKE RIEKE
Kansan Sports Writer
Bill Lee, Topeka senior, will probably be the best-known "unknown" at the Kansas-Kansas State game Saturday. Everyone sees him, but once he leaves Memorial Stadium or Allen Field House almost no one recognizes him.
Want a ride?
Bill Lee, Jayhawk mascot, talks with cheerleader, Mary Williams, before the Hawks take the court.
When most people see Bill Lee they notice only the 50 pounds of Jayhawk mascot costume.
Before Lee started masquerading as the giant Jayhawk, the costume was worn by the alternate yell-leader. Then during basketball season two years ago Lee volunteered to wear it for a game. "I was just curious to try it," he said. "It looked like a lot of fun."
Bill liked the job and continued to wear the costume throughout that basketball season and through the following football season. At the beginning of the 1967 basketball campaign the job of toting the mascot was all his.
Lee says that the major problem with carrying the Jayhawk comes from its top-heaviness. When inside the costume, Lee stands nine feet tall and has the added 50 pounds resting on his shoulders. "It was a problem when I first started, but I've learned to adjust to it," he explained.
The added weight isn't the only thing that bothers Lee; keeping the bird together is a major task in itself. Lee explained that the frame and the covering were in bad shape and also said that the crimison and blue flowl has recently developed two acute cases of the wandering eye.
Vince Bilotta, field director of the Alumni Association agreed with Lee.
"It does need repairs, but we haven't any funds to do the job," Bilotta said. "The last time it was repaired, we got the money from an alumnus. Maybe someone will donate the money for repairs."
The Alumni Association had the costume built about 10 years ago, Bilotta said, at a cost of about $1500.
"Because of its size, the mascot is usually worn only at home games, but Lee has worn it at some out-of-town contests."
Last year he performed with the KU Band at the National Invitational Tournament in New York. In Miami, Bill donned the costume for the Orange Bowl Parade.
KANSAN 7
Has he ever had any problems with fans from other schools? "No, not too much but I do get a lot of lip," Lee said.
Next to the traveling, Lee said the most pleasing thing about being the Jayhawk is the reaction of the children.
"It's a great job if you like kids," he said. "They all want to see what it is like. Of course we get a pretty good cross between those who fear it and those who think it's just a great big, good-natured bird."
The tail of the costume is strong enough to support children, so Lee has obliged those requesting rides. "I may have to stop if I get too many,"
Lee said, "but right now I'm taking all comers."
Kids will have to hurry if they want any more trips however, because Lee's term inside the mascot is almost over. Barring a KU tourney berth, Saturday night will be the last time anyone will get to see Bill Lee as the best known "unknown" in KU athletics.
Roscoe G. Simpson
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