Interview with Gavin Duerson, August 14, 2018

Partial Transcript: We're here at the UK Nunn Center for Oral History and I have today with us Gavin Duerson to participate in the history of the University of Kentucky cheerleaders.

Segment Synopsis: Duerson discusses how Scratch, the cartoonish counterpart to the University of Kentucky's Wildcat mascot, came to be the first mascot that he performed as during his time cheerleading for the University of Kentucky.

Keywords: 'Who Dey'; Brent Claiborne; Children; Cincinnati Bengals; Doug Pelfrey; Football games; Kids; Mascots; Scratch; University of Kentucky Junior Wildcat Club; Wildcat

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

Partial Transcript: Well, let me back up just a little bit and rewind your tapes and I--your tapes being your life tapes--

Segment Synopsis: Duerson discusses how he became interested in being the University of Kentucky mascot. He briefly talks about his current career, as well as where he is from.

Keywords: Basketball; Berea (Ky.); Cheerleading camps; Clay Duerson; Drama; Elite 8; Michigan State University; Ministers; National championships; Rupp Arena; Simple Church Alliance; T. Lynn Williamson; Wildcat

Subjects: Cheerleaders.; Cheerleading.; College athletes; Lexington (Ky.); University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: What did you understand--or what do you understand the history of the Wildcat mascot to be?

Segment Synopsis: Duerson briefly discusses his knowledge of the history of the Wildcat mascot, as well as what his interpretation of the job of the mascot is.

Keywords: Comic relief; Gary Tanner; Mascots; National championships; National mascot contests; One arm push ups; Routines; Wildcat

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

Partial Transcript: Do I understand that you were one of the first mascots to actually wear clothes?

Segment Synopsis: Duerson discusses how the trend of the mascot wearing clothing came about, as well as to what extent he took the trend.

Keywords: Bill Keightley; Brent Claiborne; Christmas; Costumes; Outfits; Pants; Referees; T. Lynn Williamson

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

Partial Transcript: You seem to be very, um, I would say extroverted personality, right?

Segment Synopsis: Duerson discusses the different kinds of nonverbal exchanges that he had while he was the mascot for the University of Kentucky. He talks about good experiences and negative ones.

Keywords: Alumni events; Cameron Mills; Children; Duke University; Enemy; Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA); Final 4; Final Four; Footage; Gratitude; Laughing; Lord's prayer; Mascots; Proposals; Pyramids; Reactions; Rules; Silent; Talking; Tennessee; University of Kentucky Hospital; Valentine's Day; Videos; Wildcat

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

Partial Transcript: Did the mascot, um, championships take place the same time that the cheerleading championships--

Segment Synopsis: Duerson discusses how the mascot national championships work, as well as what it was like having to practice with the dance team.

Keywords: Brent Claiborne; Creative; Crowds; Dance teams; Disney World; Mascot championships; Mascots; Michael Jackson; Scores; Stress; Universal Cheerleading Association; Videos; Wildcat

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

Partial Transcript: What have you been able to use from that experience in your life into what you do today?

Segment Synopsis: Duerson discusses how his time spent at the University of Kentucky has influenced his life and career.

Keywords: Brent Claiborne; Faith; Fellowship of Christian Athletes; High schools; Invitations; Mascots; Opportunities; Relevant; Wildcat

Subjects: Cheerleaders.; Cheerleading.; Religion; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: So, as you reflect on your time, I guess, being underneath T. Lynn Williamson's leadership, what do you feel his legacy is going to be going forth?

Segment Synopsis: Duerson discusses T. Lynn Williamson's leadership role in the University of Kentucky cheerleading team. He talks about Williamson's insistence on the cheerleaders to commit to being excellent, as well as Williamson's role at the University of Kentucky in general.

Keywords: Appreciation; Commitment; Consequences; Dean of students; Details; Discipline; Excellence; Legal counsel; Mistakes; National championships; Rupp Arena; T. Lynn Williamson; Trouble

Subjects: Cheerleaders.; Cheerleading.; Leadership; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: What do you feel like the cheerleaders these days have to deal with and be careful of that perhaps your generation did not even have to worry about?

Segment Synopsis: Duerson discusses the differences in the expectations of cheerleaders when he was at the University of Kentucky and the cheerleaders nowadays.

Keywords: Ambassadors; Appearance; Applause; Challenges; Performance; Pressure; Social media

Subjects: Cheerleaders.; Cheerleading.; College athletes

Partial Transcript: I am so thankful that you've been here today.

Segment Synopsis: Duerson shares some final thoughts on his time as mascot for the University of Kentucky. He shares his gratitude towards C. M. Newton, the Lexington Police Department, and Brent Claiborne.

Keywords: 'Who Dey'; Athletics departments; Brent Claiborne; C. M. Newton; Graduate schools; Grateful; Lexington Police Department; Mascots; National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA); T. Lynn Williamson

Subjects: Cheerleaders.; Cheerleading.; College athletes

Partial Transcript: One of the more funnier instances I can remember happening was, uh, my very first year doing the Wildcat we were in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Segment Synopsis: Duerson tells the story of visiting Salt Lake City, Utah with the cheerleading and basketball teams and going skiing for the first time. He talks about going down the mountain dressed as the University of Kentucky Wildcat and having his picture put in the Herald Leader newspaper.

Keywords: Basketball tournaments; Bears; Dizzy; Lexington Herald Leader; Mountains; Snow skiing; Wildcat; Wildcat suit

Subjects: Cheerleaders.; Cheerleading.; College athletes; Salt Lake City (Utah); University of Kentucky