Behind the mascot: How the University of Kentucky became the Wildcats
Editor’s Note: As Lexington celebrates the 250th anniversary of its founding, the Herald-Leader and kentucky.com each day throughout 2025 will share interesting facts about our hometown. Compiled by Liz Carey, all are notable moments in the city’s history — some funny, some sad, others heartbreaking or celebratory, and some just downright strange.
The University of Kentucky teams weren’t always known as the Wildcats, and it took nearly seven decades before the mascot costume was created.
The official nickname for the University of Kentucky athletic teams came just after a football victory over Illinois on Oct. 9, 1909. At that time, the school was State University. The football team was on the road and the head of the military department, Commandant Philip W. Carbusier, told a group of students after the game that the football team had “fought like Wildcats.”
The name caught on in the media, and later became popular among students and fans. Eventually, UK adopted the name.
In the 1920s, the mascot was represented by a real wildcat named Fuzzy. Fuzzy lived at the Phi Sigma Kappa house on East Maxwell Street, where he was fed two pounds of meat every day, and once a week, a live chicken. News reports indicate Fuzzy and his owner Virgil Johnson appeared everywhere with the football team.
On March 24, 1927, Fuzzy disappeared for a few days. He was found in the backyard of the Delta Tau Delta house, the chain that kept him secured in his cage caught between a fence and the fraternity house’s garage. Johnson extracted the cat from the yard with the help of a 10-foot pole.
On Oct. 3, 1930, Fuzzy passed away. A story in the Lexington Herald indicated he got caught up in his chain and strangled. Johnson and other students gave Fuzzy a proper funeral, the newspaper reports.
It wouldn’t be until the 1976-77 school year that the costumed mascot would make his debut.
Gary Tanner, the original Wildcat, thrilled audiences by dancing and strutting the sidelines of Commonwealth Stadium and Rupp Arena during athletics events. Since then, there have been countless students who have worn the four-piece Wildcat suit. Each of them must take on the Cat’s trademark swagger, and learn the cheer routines.
The Wildcat’s little brother, Scratch, originated in 1995. Matt Hogg, who graduated in 2004 and played Scratch, told the Alumni Association that Scratch is “more the goofball, kid-like character … being a big idiot, really.”
Students have to try out to be the Wildcat or Scratch.
The student playing the Wildcat has to be about 6 feet, 3 inches tall, and thin enough that cheerleaders can hold them up during cheers, but strong enough to do pushups, at least one with only one arm.
Students playing Scratch have to be between 5 feet 9 inches and 6 feet tall. Once the students are selected, they have to learn how to do all the character’s mannerisms and attend a four-day summer workshop. When the season starts, they’re required to attend strength training workouts two to three times a week and work with a trainer to ensure they hydrate properly.
Today, the Wildcat mascot also attends several academic functions as well and generally serves as an ambassador for the University.
Have a question or story idea related to Lexington’s 250-year history? Let us know at 250LexKy@gmail.com.