Alumni

A KU Spirit Squad Alumni email list has been set up so that we can all stay in touch and spread the word about alumni events. If you're a former KU Spirit Squad member and would like to join the list, visit the KUSpiritAlumni Yahoo Group then click the "Join This Group!" button.

KU Mascot Articles

KU Spirit Reunions

In the spirit of tradition, we'll reunite to cheer the Jayhawks at homecoming. All former Spirit Squad members, including cheerleaders, yell leaders, Crimson Girls, Baby Blues, Rock Chalk Dancers, Red Peppers, Jay Janes, KuKus, PomPon girls and mascots, are invited to attend. This spirit-filled day will include a pre-game tailgate and pep rally on the Hill, the chance to reminisce with former spirit members, an opportunity to attend the game and in-game recognition. For further information, visit the Alumni Association's Spirit Reunion page.

The Alumni Records Project

We're trying to create a record of everyone who has ever donned the Jayhawk suit since the beginning, and we need your help! Please email Corey (corey@kucheer.com) the any info you can remember that isn't already listed (or correct any mistakes you see): names of squad members (including yourself!), coaches, and coordinators. And make sure you include the school year (eg, "1985/1986") for each piece of info, and if possible list female names with their maiden name and married name (eg, "Jane (Doe) Smith"). And I'd also like to have a photo of each old version of the bird suits, and I'll place it next to the year when the suit was first worn, so please send me that info if you know it. An asterisk next to people indicates that they're on our email list. I also may ask some current squad members to check the University Archives for info. Thanks!

2010/2011

Emily Ellison, Paige Ruby, Bailey Carlson, Morgan Wilkerson, Alex O'Nelio (Fall Semester), Andrew McCracken, Paul Farinosi; Coaches: Kamille Ratzlaff & Nick Erker; Coordinator: Cathy Jarzemkoski*

2009/2010

Emily Ellison, Paige Ruby, Kara Gerstenberger (Fall Semester), Alex O’Nelio, Christian Larsen (Fall Semester), Tarek Shaath (Fall Semester), Justin Petty (Fall Semester); Coaches: Kamille Ratzlaff & Nick Erker; Coordinator: Cathy Jarzemkoski*

2008/2009

Kelsey McMahon, Laura Arther, Emily Ellison (Fall Semester), Evan Jackson, Kamille Ratzlaff (fall semester), Jackie Paschang, Tyler Danforth, Christian Larsen, Chris Nelson, Will Briggs; Coordinator: Cathy Jarzemkoski*

2007/2008

Kelsey McMahon (fall semester), Laura Arther, Francie Boyer, Kamille Ratzlaff, Jackie Paschang (spring semester), Will Briggs, Christian Larsen, Tyler Danforth, Chris Nelson; Coordinator: Cathy Jarzemkoski*

2006/2007

Laura Arther, Francie Boyer, Will Briggs, Elaine Jardon, Christian Larsen, Kelsey McMahon, Kamille Ratzlaff, Scott Toland, Tim Welch; Coordinator: Cathy Jarzemkoski*

(Partial) Squad Photo

2005/2006

Laura Arther, Will Briggs, Nick Erker, Elaine Jardon, Jesse Plous, Kamille Ratzlaff, Adam Reese, Jessica Virtue, Tim Welch; Coordinator: Cathy Jarzemkoski*

2004/2005

Chelsea Demars, Kate Eichten, Nick Erker, Elaine Jardon, Jesse Plous, Adam Reese, Chris Veit, Jessica Virtue, Tim Welch; Coordinator: Cathy Jarzemkoski*

2003/2004

Chelsea Demars, Kate Eichten, Nick Erker, Adam Reese, Chris Veit, Jessica Virtue, Ross Jungers; Coordinator: Cathy Jarzemkoski*

2002/2003

Sonia Cote, Eva Davis, Kate Eichten, Ross Jungers, Chris Veit; Coordinator: Cathy Jarzemkoski*

2001/2002

Meridith Ashley*, Jessica Butler, Laura Rupe, Chris Veit, Jerry Pauly, Eva Davis, Mark Buettner, Kate Eichten; Coordinator: Cathy Jarzemkoski*

2000/2001

Meridith Ashley*, Jessica Butler, Laura Rupe, Chris Veit, Jerry Pauly, Eva Davis, Mark Buettner; Coordinator: Cathy Jarzemkoski*

1999/2000

Meridith Ashley*, Jessica Butler, Laura Rupe, Jerry Pauly, Eva Davis, Deja Myrah, Brian Carpenter*; Coordinator: Kelly Potter

1998/1999

Josh Cox, Brian Carpenter*, Mark McLean; Coach: Le-Thu Erazmus, Coordinator: Kelly Potter

1997/1998

Brian Carpenter*, Tara Mobray Ruff; Coach: Le-Thu Erazmus, Coordinator: Elaine Brady*

1996/1997

Sara Jarrell Small, Danny Iskak, Tara Mobray Ruff; Coach: Le-Thu Erazmus, Coordinator: Elaine Brady*

1995/1996

Alee Martins, Sara Jarrell Small, Danny Iskak, Kevin Angell; Coach: Le-Thu Erazmus, Coordinator: Elaine Brady*

(New suits this year, the first ones to be professionally made)

1994/1995

Alee Martins, Anne Barkis, Le-Thu Erazmus, Kevin Angell, Jeff Carver, Amy Koob, Tracie Lansing*; Coordinator: Elaine Brady*

1993/1994

Anne Barkis, Le-Thu Erazmus, Tracie Lansing*, Kevin Angell; Coach: Tami Payne, Coordinator: Elaine Brady*

1992/1993

Greg Hansen, Armen Kurdian, Vicky Raynor, Marnie Dodson, Tracie Lansing, Amy Hunerberg, Tim Platt, Chris Gassen, Marnie Dodson; Coach: Tami Payne,Coordinator: Elaine Brady*

1991/1992 Homecoming with Bob Foster cameo.

1991/1992

Greg Hansen, Armen Kurdian, Tami Payne, Kimberly Matthews Bray, Laura Paige, Chris Gassen; Coordinator: Elaine Brady*

Photos: Homecoming | At camp in Tennessee | Big Jay with kids

1990/1991

Bill Early, Katie Stader, Kathy MacNaughton, Mark Taylor, Chad Coker, Sheri Watts Hart, Laura Paige, Alecia Talbert, Elizabeth Weaver; Coordinator: Elaine Brady*

Photos: Ski Trophy at Chip's Annual Ski Race

1989/1990

Mark Montgomery [captain], Bill Early, Katie Stader, Laura Page, Sheri Watts, Kathy MacNaughton, Erin Akerd, Chad Coker; Coordinator: Elaine Brady*

Photos: Chip's Annual Ski Race

1988/1989

Mark Montgomery, Megan Brown Helm, Trina Kudlacek, Jeff Robertson, Chad Coker, Russ Phillips, Amy Glass, Tracey Schooling; Coordinator: Elaine Brady*

Photos: Chip's Annual Ski Race | New Big Jay Suit | Squad

1987/1988

Joe Gonzalez, Anne Heese, Bill Sheehy, David Platt, Russ Phillips, Trina Kudlacek, David Platt, Paula Grizzel; Coordinator: Elaine Brady*

1986/1987

Joe Gonzalez, Anne Heese, Bill Sheehy, David Platt; Coordinator: Elaine Brady*

1985/1986

Front Row (L to R): Shelly Elwell, Paula Grizzle; Second Row: Tonya Peck Cox, Baby Jay, Jamie Riggio; Third Row: Janet Smalley Norton, Big Jay, Bill Sheehy, Back Row: Dave Platte, Anne Heese; Coordinator: Elaine Brady*

Squad Photo

1984/1985

Phil Schmitt*; Coordinator: Elaine Brady*

New foam suits!

1983/1984

Janet Smalley Norton, Phil Schmitt*, Marcie Kershenbaum Jacobs; Coordinator: Elaine Brady*

1982/1983

Janet Smalley Norton (first female Big Jay), Phil Schmitt*, Leslie Stullkin, Lynda Koziol Zitka, Brett Wasser, Steve Sears, Phil Schmidt, Marcie Kershenbaum Jacobs;

1981/1982

Lynda Koziol Zitka, Leslie Stullkin, Marcie Kershenbaum Jacobs;

1980/1981

Shelley Irish Runion, Lynda Koziol Zitka, Leslie Stullkin

Photos: Shelly Irish carrying the head

1978/1979 Big Jay

1979/1980

Shelley Irish Runion, Elizabeth (Smith) Scheib, Pete Oster

Photos: Big Jay's wing

1978/1979

Shelley Irish Runion, Elizabeth (Smith) Scheib, Marc Wilborn

Photos: Big and Baby heads

Story as told by Elizabeth: "In the fall of 1978, the Baby Jay costume was kidnapped, or "bird-napped," as the UDK said. The kidnappers blindfolded the costume and it was found at the top of Wells Overlook. The costume was recovered in time for me to jump out of an ambulance during pregame of homecoming 1978. It was the most memorable moment of my mascot career!"

1977/1978

David Mikols, Dani Rich Toney, Marc Wilborn;

1976/1977

Dave Mutert,

1975/1976

Debi Moore, Dave Mutert

1974/1975

Dave Mutert

1973/1974

Amy Hurst Rachman, Dave Mutert

1972/1973

Amy Hurst Rachman

1971/1972

Eldon Puett, Amy Hurst Rachman (the creator of and first Baby Jay)