Jackie McCloud: UK Baseball’s biggest supporter and bus driver

Kentucky Baseball has had an incredible 2024 season so far. Hosting a Regional for the second consecutive season, the Bat Cats earned the No. 2 overall seed in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. Nick Mingione’s squad is off to a 2-0 start following wins over Western Michigan and Illinois, and can win the Lexington Regional later on Sunday. The Super Regionals are within reach.

Before tournament time though, is the regular season… obviously. From mid-February to mid-May, the Bat Cats travel all over the country to take on their opponents. While baseball is a team sport, there’s one man who stands out from the rest: Jackie McCloud.

It’s okay if that name doesn’t sound familiar right off the bat. In fact, I didn’t know who McCloud was until just recently. Earlier this week, BBN Tonight’s Maggie Davis took some time to interview McCloud, the team’s 12-year-tenured bus driver.

McCloud said he’s driven to every single school in the SEC. Yep, even Mississippi State in Starkville… yeesh.

He’s created traditions: a “shake it off,” head shake after disappointing losses that became a regular thing for the ‘Cats. McCloud even carries a broom to the games in case Kentucky sweeps its opponent. Something as silly as taking two trips around a roundabout because the guys on the team said “You won’t.” There’s absolutely no doubt that everyone in the program loves McCloud, including head coach Nick Mingione.

“Our guys absolutely adore him,” Mingione said with a huge smile. “He is just an amazing guy. Personally, I love him.”

“There’s no selfish people on this team. Everybody is bought into the program,” McCloud said. You could argue that McCloud is the most bought-in.

After driving the team bus for 12 seasons, McCloud has seen a rotation of coaches, players, staff members, wins, and losses. But without him, the team would be getting nowhere. Literally.

“I’m so blessed,” the Kentucky native said. “God’s blessed me so much, and I don’t take anything for granted. I just know that, when you get in this bus, you’ve got some awful precious cargo.”

So, next time the ‘Cats take a trip to a different field, take a second to think about the man that got them there. None of it would be possible without Jackie McCloud.

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