Want to be a "Blue Coat"? The Committee of 101 is looking for new members

If you’ve been to a Kentucky Basketball or Football home game, you’ve seen them. The “Blue Coats” of the Committee of 101 have served as ushers at UK Athletics events since 1966 when a group of 101 IBM employees in the purchasing department chipped in a quarter each to send Adolph Rupp and the Kentucky Basketball team a telegram of support during an away game. Since then, the club has grown to approximately 300 members that greet fans, take tickets, work security, and help fans to their seats at every Kentucky basketball and football home game, along with select women’s basketball and baseball games and gymnastics events.

Now, you can be one of them. The Committee of 101 is seeking new members, club president Charlie Higginbotham told the Herald-Leader.

“This is a great time for anyone interested in becoming a member of the 101,” Higginbotham said. “We currently have several membership openings and are seeking qualified individuals to join in our support of UK athletics. What better way to see the Cats play than by being a part of this tremendous organization?”

Do you have what it takes to be a Blue Coat? Here’s the overview of duties and expectations from the Committee of 101 website:

• You must be 21 years of age or older to be a member of The Committee of 101.
• The first year of membership is considered a probationary year in which your job performance will be evaluated before full membership is obtained.
• You will be expected to work all home football games in order to be eligible to work basketball games. There are usually seven home football games per season. If you are routinely required to work your job on Saturdays during the months of September thru November you may need to reconsider your application.
• Job duties of the 101 include usher, greeter, ticket taker, metal detectors, parking, program sales and distribution, security, etc. You may be assigned to any of these duties depending on the needs of the organization.
• Your check in time for football games will be three hours before kickoff. Your check in time for basketball games will be two hours before tipoff.
• There is an annual membership fee. This fee is set on an annual basis by the Board of Directors and reflects the amount of money needed to continue our level of service to the university.
• As a first-time member you will be required to purchase the following items: Member tie, name tag, and the blue jacket that is worn by all 101 members.  You will also be required to wear, as part of your uniform, black dress pants, white dress shirt, black socks and black shoes. Comfortable dress shoes are the requirement as tennis shoes and athletic shoes are not acceptable.
• You are expected to dress in a professional manner at all times. We do work in all kinds of weather conditions for football therefore, you may need additional rain gear or cold weather clothing during those times.
• Basketball games can be scheduled on any day of the week during the months of October thru March. Please consider this when applying for membership.
• The 101 annually works at events other than football and men’s basketball games. We also work any UK Women’s Basketball games when held at Rupp Arena, at least one UK Gymnastics event at Rupp Arena, and NCAA tournament games held at Rupp. We also work the games of the KHSAA high school Sweet 16 Tournaments (boys and girls), KHSAA high school football championships held at Kroger Field and any additional event the University of Kentucky may request our help. Additionally, we work at selected concert events held at Rupp Arena.
• There is to be NO alcohol use while on duty, no use of UK credentials when not working, no headphones use during games, or cell phone use while on duty.
• We have a monthly general meeting of the membership during the months of August through March. Your attendance at those events is requested.
• In addition, there are pre-season football and basketball meetings held with UK, as well as pre-game meetings you will be requested to attend.

Also, don’t flip the bird while on the clock. (I added that one.) To request a membership application visit TheCommitteeof101.org or email [email protected].