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Contact: Donna Neuner, KU Alumni Association, (785) 864-4760

Baby Jays flock home to KU campus for reunion 30 years after mascot's birth

LAWRENCE -- The squawking may be a little louder during this year's homecoming at the University of Kansas -- the Baby Jays are coming home.

Amy Rachman, the original Baby Jay, has organized a mascot reunion for everyone who has worn the costume in the 30 years since its inception. The reunion will be Friday and Saturday, Oct. 12 and 13.

The Baby Jays will march in the homecoming parade at 2:30 p.m. Friday. After the parade, a tailgate-style dinner will take place at 6 p.m. at the Adams Alumni Center. On Saturday, the Baby Jays will walk onto the football field with the Alumni Band during halftime.

Rachman designed the Baby Jay costume in 1971. The mascot made its debut at the homecoming game in 1971. At the game, 55,000 people witnessed the hatching.

No formal record of all of the people who have been mascots exists, so Rachman had a hard time getting in touch with some former Jays. She said she contacted about 65 people, often relying on word of mouth to invite people to the reunion.

"Maybe we'll do another reunion at 35 years," Rachman said. "Then more birds can come."

The reunion was supposed to take place on the Baby Jay's 25th birthday, but Rachman said she couldn't get organized on time. She decided to plan a reunion at 30 years instead.

Rachman is excited about visiting KU again because she hasn't spent much time in Lawrence since her graduation in 1974. She now lives in North Carolina and is eager to meet other Jays, including the more recent ones, who weren't even born when she premiered Baby Jay.

"I'm very excited to meet and talk with these former birds about their experiences," Rachman said.

Funny anecdotes and memorable moments will be aplenty at the reunion. For example, a couple of former mascots invited the Jays to their recent wedding. Another former Jay will share the story of the time she passed a hat around to collect money for new costumes. Spirit Squad coaches will recall the time the Baby Jay was carried away in the excitement of a KU-Kansas State game.