University of Kentucky Holding Tryouts for Wildcat Mascot!

University of Kentucky Holding Tryouts for Wildcat Mascot!

One lucky Kentucky student meow has the chance to live out a dream. The school's cheerleading program is holding mascot tryouts later this month.

Oct 13, 2016 by Jessica Baker
University of Kentucky Holding Tryouts for Wildcat Mascot!
One lucky University of Kentucky student meow has the chance to live out a dream. The school's cheerleading program is holding tryouts later this month to be Kentucky's famous Wildcat mascot.

That's right -- one lucky UK student will get to don the furry suit, headband, and blue jersey. It might be the closest one could come to getting close to hoops coach John Calipari without being a five-star recruit.

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"The Wildcat mascot is an important symbol of the spirit of our university," UK cheerleading head coach Jomo Thompson said. "We are looking for talented people who can handle the responsibility of being the Wildcat and are excited to welcome a new member of the best spirit program in America."

Jokes aside, it is an important responsibility. Kentucky has one of the most high-profile athletic departments in the country, led by its perennial powerhouse men's basketball team. The university is a big deal in Lexington, KY, and being the Wildcat comes with serious obligations.

Tryouts are scheduled for Oct. 21 and 22 with an informational meeting Oct. 18 in the Seaton Center at 8 PM local time.

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Potential candidates for the gig have to be Kentucky students with a grade-point average of 2.0 or above. There must be a drive to succeed inside and outside the classroom, according to a school release. The mascot or mascots are part of the University of Kentucky cheerleading program.

The Wildcat debuted in 1976 and is now joined by Scratch, a child-friendly mascot and Wildcat's little brother.

The mascots attend almost every sport and travel with the football and for postseason contests in basketball and volleyball. They also attend academic functions and community events.

For more information, reach out to ukcheer@uky.edu.

By Marc Raimondi