Big Jay was introduced in 1953 as the mascot of the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. The bird has a bright yellow beak, a red head and big blue eyes. Tradition requires the character stand 6” 2’ when in costume. Big Jay’s home page lists his residence as Allen Fieldhouse, a.k.a. “The Nest.” This statue called “So many faces, but one heart,” by Joanne Renfro is in the KU Visitors’ Center. His Jayhawks companion, Baby Jay, was hatched during the 1971 homecoming game. The school’s first mascot was Centennial Jay. He only made a brief appearance in 1912 and again on his 100th birthday.
