Interview with Kenneth Spencer Clan, August 8, 2018

Partial Transcript: Hello, Spencer.

Segment Synopsis: Clan discusses how he first came into contact with T. Lynn Williamson and Jomo Thompson. He talks about his first impressions of them and briefly talks about his experience in cheerleading prior to the University of Kentucky.

Keywords: Assistant coaches; CHEERSPORT; Demeanor; Gym Tyme Allstars; High schools; Intimidation; Jomo Thompson; RJ Corman; Reece White; T. Lynn Williamson

Subjects: Cheerleaders.; Cheerleading.; Coaches (Athletics); Male cheerleaders

Partial Transcript: Wonderful.

Segment Synopsis: Clan discusses his family and his background in athletics prior to the University of Kentucky. He talks about growing up a strong Wildcats fan with his family cheering alongside him. He also discusses attending basketball and football games at the University of Kentucky in his youth.

Keywords: Anthony Davis; Baseball; Basketball; Commonwealth Stadium; Competitive; Gym Tyme Allstars; Indiana University; James Clan; Jefferson County Traditional Middle School; Laura Elmore; Lifeguard; Louisiana State University; Mark Elmore; Neighbors; Running; Social media; Stigma; Suburbs; Tonya Clan; University of Louisville; University of North Carolina; YMCA; duPont Manual High School

Subjects: Athletics; Childhood; Louisville (Ky.); Male cheerleaders; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: What years did you attend the University of Kentucky?

Segment Synopsis: Clan discusses the trip to the 2018 Winter Olympics that the University of Kentucky cheerleading team got to take. He talks about the conditions under which they performed. He also discusses the majors and minor that he graduated with.

Keywords: Accounting; Business administration; Communications; Financing; National championships; Olympics; Opportunities; Public announcements; Reactions; Satellite performances; U.S. National Team

Subjects: Cheerleaders.; Cheerleading.; College athletes; Male cheerleaders

Partial Transcript: I would like you to walk our audience through the tryout process and what was that like for you the first time?

Segment Synopsis: Clan describes the process of trying out for the University of Kentucky cheerleading team. He talks about each of the sessions, learning the fight song, and the interview process. He then discusses the process of being chosen for the team and the team meeting afterwards.

Keywords: Alumni; Cheers; ESPN; Fight songs; Frank; Freshman; Intense; Interviews; Intimidation; Jomo Thompson; Memorial Coliseum; National Cheerleading Association; Practices; Pressure; Responses; Stunting; T. Lynn Williamson; Tryouts; Tumbling; Universal Cheerleading Association

Subjects: Cheerleaders.; Cheerleading.; College athletes; Gymnastics.; Male cheerleaders; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: I'm seeing the need for some kind of video dictionary here with your--with the terminology, um, and I'm sure that can be done--

Segment Synopsis: Clan discusses the evolution of stunts throughout his years cheerleading at the University of Kentucky. He talks about how the judges score the stunts and how the team knows what stunts to put an emphasis on.

Keywords: Crowd videos; Double ups; Elite stunts; Evolutions; Execution; Figure skating; Handski; Nationals; Pyramids; Risky; Rules; Safety; Score sheets; Stunting; Transitions; Tumbling

Subjects: Cheerleaders.; Cheerleading.; College athletes; Competitions.; Gymnastics.; Male cheerleaders.; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: And, speaking of opinionated, let me just ask you, um...

Segment Synopsis: Clan discusses the three consecutive championships that the University of Kentucky cheerleading team won in 2016, 2017, and 2018. He talks about the issues that the team had concerning members and having to change their performances accordingly.

Keywords: Alumni; Issues; Josh Marsh; Loss; National championships; Positive; Practices; Pressure; Pride; Repeating; Stunting; Teams

Subjects: Cheerleaders.; Cheerleading.; College athletes; Male cheerleaders; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: So, I would think that probably, now moving from that cheerleading structure to being an assistant coach and watching, which is probably the equivalent of your kids--

Segment Synopsis: Clan discusses his position as assistant coach of the University of Kentucky cheerleading team. He talks about team chemistry and how social media affects the team.

Keywords: Assistant coaches; Basketball; Confidence; Football; Jomo Thompson; Nationals; Perception; Performances; Phones; Practice; Team chemistry

Subjects: Cheerleading.; Coaches (Athletics); Social media.; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: I am seeing in you an incredible ability to connect what you have learned in cheerleading and being able to apply that outside of your cheerleading life.

Segment Synopsis: Clan discusses how he plans to use the skills he has learned during his time at University of Kentucky in his job as assistant coach as well as in his management job at RJ Corman.

Keywords: Alumni; Companies; Mistakes; Practice; Principles; Responsibilities; Seaton Center; T. Lynn Williamson

Subjects: Cheerleading.; College athletes; Jobs & careers; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: How acquainted are your cheerleaders with the story of Dale Baldwin?

Segment Synopsis: Clan discusses the role that Dale Baldwin has played in the University of Kentucky cheerleading program. He talks about the positivity that Baldwin brings to the program and the passion that Baldwin has for the team.

Keywords: Alumni; Attitudes; Dale Baldwin; Documenting; Historians; Jomo Thompson; Passion; Perspectives; Positivity; T. Lynn Williamson

Subjects: Cheerleaders.; Cheerleading.; Male cheerleaders; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: You began cheerleading in 2014 or 2015?

Segment Synopsis: Clan reminisces on his favorite memory of cheering for the University of Kentucky's basketball team.

Keywords: Aaron Harrison; Basketball; Big Blue Nation; Jomo Thompson; Luke May; Memories; National Basketball Association (NBA); Ryan Heinrich; University of Michigan; University of North Carolina; University of Wisconsin

Subjects: Cheerleaders.; Cheerleading.; College athletes; Male cheerleaders; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: So, how old are you again?

Segment Synopsis: Clan discusses how the University of Kentucky cheerleading team has successfully won 23 national championships over the course of its history.

Keywords: Dedication; National championships; Pressure; Programs; Students; Success; T. Lynn Williamson; Tryout process

Subjects: Cheerleaders.; Cheerleading.; College athletes; Male cheerleaders; University of Kentucky