The University of Kentucky Wildcat mascot donned a heart costume for Valentine’s Day before the Feb. 13, 1999, Kentucky-South Carolina game at Rupp Arena. Gavin Duerson, a senior, was in his third year as the UK mascot. Photo by Janet Worne | Staff

Later, Duerson proposed to his girlfriend, UK student Karla Sodan, in grand style. With 7:53 left in the second half of UK’s victory over South Carolina, Duerson, in full costume, climbed to the top of a cheerleaders’ pyramid wearing a shirt that said: “KARLA WILL YOU MARRY ME?” Photo by Janet Worne | Staff

A cheerleader led Sodan onto the court, where Duerson knelt and gave her a ring. Then he carried her away as the crowd cheered. Sodan’s reaction? “Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh!” That was a “yes.” Duerson, 21, and Sodan, 20, both from Berea, had been dating off and on since middle school. The couple were married in May 2000 and live in Lexington. Photo by Mark Cornelison | Staff