When you think of a team bus driver, you probably picture someone quiet, keeping to themselves—maybe reading a book while the team plays. But Jackie McCloud, Courtney Elliott, and Larry Thurman are anything but ordinary. These drivers don't just get the team from point A to point B; they're part of the squad, celebrating wins, lifting spirits, and going above and beyond for the players they've come to love.

Take Jackie McCloud, for instance. At 74, he's been driving the Kentucky Wildcats baseball team for 17 years, and he's as much a part of the action as anyone in uniform. When the Wildcats win, McCloud is right there in the handshake line, dishing out belly bumps. He's even been in the middle of a dogpile—like when Kentucky clinched a spot in the College World Series a couple years ago. Before every game, he fires up the team with his signature move: a shake of the head and a "brr" sound, followed by the whole team yelling "Boom!" And if the Wildcats sweep a series? He's at the bus door with a broom, making a sweeping motion. "We travel the world with him," says catcher Devin Burkes, who played on that 2024 CWS team. "If you treat him bad, you're in trouble. He's the most giving man I've ever known, with a servant's heart."

Then there's Courtney Elliott, who drives for Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi. He's not just behind the wheel—he's in the dugout giving pep talks and leading cheers. When a Statesmen player hits a home run, Elliott is part of the greeting committee at home plate. It's that kind of connection that turns a bus ride into a family road trip.

And let's not forget Larry Thurman, who drove for TCU until health issues forced him to step away this season. Thurman didn't just watch games from the stands; he was in the dugout or bullpen, lending an ear to players who were struggling and keeping them entertained with stories from his colorful life. For these drivers, it's about more than just driving—it's about being there, on and off the field.

McCloud, a former high school athletic director and softball coach, started driving motorcoaches about 20 years ago. He's been with Kentucky ever since, and at 74, he has no plans to retire. "I'm so attached to these players and coaches," he says. "I have a family at home, but this is my family away from my family." That's the kind of extra mile that makes a team truly special—and it's a reminder that the heart of the game isn't always on the field.