Interview with Jay McChord, August 14, 2018

Partial Transcript: Welcome, Jay.

Segment Synopsis: McChord discusses how T. Lynn Williamson changed his life by choosing him to be the University of Kentucky mascot as well as by encouraging him and challenging him in every way possible.

Keywords: "Cheer for the Holidays"; 49ers; Administration; American Hospital Association; Bengals; Buildings; Casinos; Character; City councils; Clay Mills Elementary School; Generational diversity; Goodwill ambassadors; Guest appearances; Intimidation; Jessie M. Clark Middle School; Lafayette High School; Mascot nationals; Mascots; National championships; Push ups; Rupp Arena; Scratch; T. Lynn Williamson; Track; Tryouts; Tuxedos; University of California; University of Florida; Wildcat; Wrestling

Subjects: Cheerleaders.; Cheerleading.; Coaches (Athletics); College athletes; Lexington (Ky.); Reno (Nev.); University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: So, you were the mascot from what year to what year?

Segment Synopsis: McChord discusses the transition years of the University of Kentucky where the leadership in several areas of the university was changing. He talks about the NCAA investigation of the University of Kentucky basketball team and how an audit related to that established the first scholarships for cheerleaders at the university.

Keywords: Audit; Bill Curry; C.M. Newton; Charles T. Wethington Jr.; Cliff Hagan; David P. Roselle; Eddie Sutton; Jerry Claiborne; National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA); National championships; Parade; Probation; Rick Pitino; SEC tournament; Scholarships; Sports Illustrated; T. Lynn Williamson

Subjects: Cheerleaders.; Coaches (Athletics); College athletes; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: It's just incredible when you think about it.

Segment Synopsis: McChord discusses how he went the extra mile in establishing a relationship with the University of Kentucky band while he was mascot.

Keywords: Band; Captains; Challenges; Character; Eric Bumm; Experiences; Football; Harry Clark; Mascots; Piccolos; Scholarships; Sigma Pi; Sweat; T. Lynn Williamson

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

Partial Transcript: So, do you know approximately, like, what year it would have been when you were in the fourth grade and have you ever, uh, connected with this Wildcat mascot?

Segment Synopsis: McChord discusses the reunions that are held every five years for the cheerleading team. He tells the story of meeting Garry Tanner, the first University of Kentucky mascot, for the first time as well as one about the reunion attendees swarming the field at a football field.

Keywords: Candy stores; Character; Commonwealth Stadium; Football; Garry Tanner; JumboTron; Mascots; Memories; Reunions; T. Lynn Williamson; Time outs; University of Florida

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

Partial Transcript: So, let me ask you a few that are kind of specific to the Wildcat while I have you here today.

Segment Synopsis: McChord discusses the mascot national championships and the process he went through to be allowed to participate in them. He talks about mascot camp and the activities they had to participate in while there. The interviewer tells a story about the mascot on the University of Kentucky's employee appreciation day and how he made light of a stressful situation.

Keywords: "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?"; Allstars; Characters; Cheerleading camps; Competing; Gavin Duerson; Georgia Institute of Technology; Jomo Thompson; Kroger Field; Louisiana State University; Mascot camps; Mascots; Most Collegiate Mascot; National championships; North Carolina State University; Pyramids; Routines; Scratch; T. Lynn Williamson; University of Kentucky Employee Appreciation Day; Wildcat

Subjects: Cheerleaders.; Cheerleading.; College athletes; Competition.; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Let me ask you another question about--related to--well, first of all, did you ever learn to do those one arm push ups?

Segment Synopsis: McChord discusses what it takes to be the mascot, including one armed push ups and dealing with situations where people see you as a notable figure. He also talks about his career and how he uses the skills he learned as a mascot in that position.

Keywords: Autographs; Bill Curry; Celebrities; Chief Encouragement Office (CEO); City councils; Commonwealth Stadium; Excellence; Football; George Adams; Jerry Claiborne; Jomo Thompson; Mark Higgs; Mascots; One armed push ups; Pep rallies; Pep rally; Photographs; Pressure; Referee; T. Lynn Williamson

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