A LOOK INSIDE

4 6 2 LIFE LESSONS LEARNING FROM COMPETITION

4 BREAKING INTO THE TOP10 UK ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT 6 TRAILBLAZERS 10 12 10 LEAVING IT ALL ON THE COURT

12 BLOOD, SWEAT AND CHEERS

14 Simply Super 14 16 16 NO leTTING UP

18 SOARING AGAIN

18 20 20 15 YEARS OF PROGRESS

26 IN THE WINNING HABIT

28 REACHING NEW HEIGHTS

26 28 30 BIG BLUE IMPACT

36 FINANCIALS

The 2017 Annual Report is published by the UK Athletics Department and 30 36 Mitch Barnhart, Athletics Director. The publication was written and edited by Guy Ramsey and UK Athletics Brand and Content Managment staff. Concept and design by Craig Hornberger. Principal photography by UK Athletics/ Chet White, Britney Howard. Printed by Welch Printing.

1 2 UK ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT their timeat theUniversityofKentucky. Wildcat athletes are preparing foralifetimeofsuccessduring much more rewarding. there –alot more. That will only make reaching thatour goals to more take of that diligence, dedication and teamwork to get with acumulative grade-point average of 3.0or better. It’s going inadditionperiod, to continuing our streak of 10semesters topin the five of Directors’ Cup standingsthat in same time national championship by year the 2022.It on calls us to finish departments inAmerica, which is what Elite about. 1-3-5is all more. We want to establish ourselves among athletics best the right direction, but make no mistake: We are capable of much ofahead us. The achievements season thismark of a stepthe in enjoy reading about pages inthe to come. have many, many moments to celebrate, which Ihope you will to contributepostseason to that record score, we were blessed to inschool history.is best the With 21of our teams reaching the watching that proven be before our eyes. We have always that. believed This year, thewe had pleasure of iligence, dedication and teamwork yield results incompetition. Elite on 1-3-5calls each of our teams to aconference win or season, Thehowever, 2016-17 is no endpoint.Our lie goals Learfield finish 10th-place theOur Sports in Directors’ Cup positioning students for success during and after head coaches – including Mark Stoops, pictured includingMarkpictured – Stoops, coaches head with Barnhart here Barnhart –sharewith acommitment to Athletics Director Mitch and Barnhart UK’s their time as Wildcats as time their UK ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT

There is something else that will come from the This isn’t just a theory either. I have seen our pursuit of our goals, something far less tangible than students do incredible things in life, from becoming a trophy on a shelf but far more long-lasting than a doctors, dentists, and lawyers to setting world records celebratory dogpile. That something, in fact, is why to building families and passing those same values to my staff and I do what we do. their children. I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, Competing and excelling in high-level college ath- that the time they spent as Wildcats helped prepare letics is a unique experience. It’s one I believe cannot them to do those things. be fully understood by someone who hasn’t lived it. I So, as you read the stories of our young people also believe its value cannot be replicated. succeeding, please remember that their success now The diligence that will carry us toward our goals is helping lay the groundwork for a lifetime of it. Your in competition and in the classroom also instills support helps makes that possible. On behalf of all of a work ethic that will serve our students well in UK Athletics, thank you. whatever pursuits they choose after they take off that Kentucky jersey for the final time. That dedication brings about a singlemindedness that steadies our students when adversity strikes in their lives, because it will. That teamwork fosters a spirit of selflessness whose power cannot be overstated because truly Mitch Barnhart great things can only be accomplished in collabora- UK Athletics Director tion with others. There is something else that will come from the pursuit of our goals, something far less tangible than a trophy on a shelf but far more long-lasting than a celebratory dogpile. That something, in fact, is why my staff and I do what we do. 3 4 UK ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT F regionals to for tie ninth place. each madesoftball sixth-place finish,baseball while and super ships. At indoors, women’s the track and field team added a a sweep of SEC regular-season and tournament champion- strength of atrip to Elite the Eight that came on heels the of coming infourth place. Men’s was basketball fifththe on by led sports, women’s outdoor track and field eachrifle and record marks. nationally10th and secondSoutheastern in the Conference, both contributing to its tally for final the first time ever, UK finished partment. With 21of its 22teams reaching and postseason the measures overall the Division-I success of athletics every de- topin the 10of Learfield the Cup Directors’ standings,which

Six UKteams finishedthe in top 10 their of respective For first the thetime inhistory the of program, UK finished any indication, that effortbe a poised success. to is staff 22 all and Wildcat teams. season theis 2016-17 If required involved: from parties all students, coaches, an unprecedented and comprehensivebe effortwill among elite the athletics departments inAmerica, or Kentucky to reach its of goal establishing itself gives made who success the those happen areason to celebrate. Directors’ Cup finish provesthat belief was well founded and highestthe level nationally respective in their This sports. year’s UKteam on is that capable abelief based every of competing at prehensive athletics department. Thatcommitment was made Athletics has made commitment awholesale to building acom- top to bottom as it is now. last the decade-and-a-half, Over UK country,the but never has department as the strong been from cross teams country reached all regionals. men’s the while and women’s golf teams and men’s and women’s teamfootball returned to abowl for first the time in six years, men’s track and field team both indoorsat and outdoors. The men’s swimming and diving team scored at nationals, as did the – reached second the round of NCAA Tournament play and the men’sketball, volleyball, soccer, men’s tennis and women’s tennis NCAA Championships. Five different programs – women’sbas- and diving team had its highest point total inprogram at history strong performance at regionals and women’s the swimming narrowly out missed on advancing to nationals, but had a still UK has always had rich tradition and in fan best the base The strength season, thehowever, of was depth. Gymnastics UK ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT

2017 DiRECTORS’ CUP FINISH 10th – 1,025 Points WOMEN’S OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD – Fourth, 80 points RIFLE – Fourth, 80 points MEN’S BASKETBALL – Fifth, 73 points Kentucky’s rifle, softball, men’s basketball, and women’s WOMEN’S INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD – Sixth, 73.5 points track and field teams were among UK Athletics’ six top-10 SOFTBALL – Ninth, 64 points finishers. All told, 21 of 22 UK’s sports reached the postsea- BASEBALL – Ninth, 64 points son to contribute to UK’s record Directors’ Cup total. GYMNASTICS – 13th, 58.5 points WOMEN’S SWIMMING AND DIVING – 14th, 61.5 points MEN’S SOCCER – 17th, 50 points If you ask Mitch Barnhart, however, the most VOLLEYBALL – 17th, 50 points exciting thing about the finish isn’t that it’s never WOMEN’S BASKETBALL – 17th, 50 points been done before. It isn’t that UK now finds itself MEN’S TENNIS – 17th, 50 points in the company of some of the best programs in WOMEN’S TENNIS – 17th, 50 points the country. What really fires him up is what the MEN’S INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD – 22nd, 50 points finish says about what the future could hold for the WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY – 30th, 30 points Athletics Department. What MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY – 32nd, 26 points really fires him up is that he knows the Wildcats are MEN’S SWIMMING AND DIVING – 37th, 32 points MEN’S GOLF – 39th, 33.5 points capable of so much more. FOOTBALL – 50th, 25 points UK’s goal, you see, is to finish in the top five of MEN’S OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD – 59th, 12.5 points the Directors’ Cup by 2022, not the top 10. Consid- WOMEN’S GOLF – 61st, 11.5 points ering UK just set a school record by finishing 10th and no one involved in that finish believes they have even come close to their potential, the top five is well within reach. It’s just a matter of reaching. 5 TRAILBLAZERS PAVING THE WAY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS At the height of the Civil Rights movement, four Wildcats forever changed the face of college football in the South.

our decades ago, Nate Northington, Greg Page, Wilbur Hackett and Houston Hogg stood together against racial discrimination. Today, their likenesses stand together as a tribute to their courage and pioneering legacy. Northington, Page, Hackett and Hogg – the four men who broke the color barrier in Southeastern FConference football at the height of the Civil Rights movement – arrived in Lexington knowing they were doing something that had never been done before when they joined the University of KentuckyW football team. What they didn’t realize at the time was they would forever change the face of sports at UK and in the South. Recruited by Gov. Edward T. Breathitt, University of Kentucky President John W. Oswald and UK football head coach Charlie Bradshaw to break the color barrier,

The University of Kentucky has come a tremendous way. It’s good to “feel that, to know that we were a part of that. – Nate Northington 6 ” UK ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT

Designed and sculpted by J. Brett Grill, a statue honoring the four players who broke the color barrier in SEC football was dedi- cated in September. From left to right in the photo above, Melvin Page – Greg’s brother – Nate Northington, Wilbur Hackett and Houston Hogg were in attendance.

Northington and Page enrolled together in 1966. Per NCAA rules regarding first-year eligibility, they spent NATE NORTHINGTON that season on UK’s freshman team before moving up ate Northington knew he was to varsity in 1967. That same year, Hackett and Hogg making a monumental decision joined them at UK. N when he decided to come to Northington and Page shared a close bond from the University of Kentucky. The the very beginning and the two talented players were Louisville native was specifically poised to make history together before tragedy inter- recruited to break the color barrier vened. A neck injury suffered in a practice accident in football on Aug. 22, 1967, sent Page to intensive care, where and embraced the opportunities and hardships that came he would remain for the next 38 days. Northington with being a trailblazer, but nothing could have prepared was a frequent visitor during that time, but he also him for losing Greg Page – his teammate, classmate and continued to practice with his team. close friend – after he suffered a neck injury in a practice Northington’s perseverance was rewarded on accident. Nonetheless, Northington stayed the course. The Sept. 23, 1967, when he made his varsity debut, but defensive back made his varsity debut on Sept. 23, 1967, Page succumbed to his injuries six days later on Sept. as Page was in intensive care. He then became the first 29, 1967. Somehow, Northington found the where- African-American to play in an SEC football game on Sept. withal to honor the memory of his friend just a day 30, 1967, as UK hosted Ole Miss just one day after Page’s after Page’s passing. Northington become the first passing. After the 1967 season, Northington made the African-American to play in an SEC game when UK decision to continue his college career at Western Kentucky hosted Ole Miss on Sept. 30, 1967. University, but not before encouraging Wilbur Hackett and The barrier was broken, but the work of the four Houston Hogg to finish the work he and Page started. men was not done. With all that had happened at UK, Northington realized he needed to make a new start for himself. He elected to transfer and finish his career at Western Kentucky University, but not before delivering a part- 7 TRAILBLAZERS

ing message to his two younger teammates. He told them to stick UK ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT GREG PAGE it out at UK, to finish the work he and Page had started together. n a questionnaire all incoming football Hackett and Hogg took the message to heart and stayed all players filled out upon their arrival at four years at Kentucky. Hackett even broke new ground of his OKentucky, Greg Page’s character shone own when he became the first African-American team through. Answering a question about why he captain in any sport at an SEC school in 1969 as a three-year chose to attend UK, Page said it was to “help starter for the Wildcats. open the way for more negro athletes to play The impact of the four trailblazers still resonates today. ball here.” While most others in his position In September 2016, a statue honoring Northington, Page, surely would have thought about themselves, Page had others on Hackett and Hogg was dedicated at a special event attended by his mind. That’s just how he was. In fact, it’s part of the reason why family, friends, players, coaches, university administration and Nate Northington gravitated to him. The two became fast friends, fans. Its location – at the heart of the Kentucky football opera- bonding over the ground they were breaking together as the first tion – is fitting. African-American football players at a Southeastern Conference school. They spent their first season on campus as members of the freshman team and it was their sophomore season when they were going to make history, but tragedy befell Page. The talented defensive end from Middlesboro, Kentucky, suffered a neck injury No four players in our pro- in practice that took his life. But even though Page lived to only age 19, he had accomplished his goal of paving the way for hundreds to gram’s history have better follow in his footsteps. demonstrated the values “of courage, determination WILBUR HACKETT ilbur Hackett came to the University of and selflessness than Nate, Kentucky as an All-State performer and WParade magazine All-American. He left UK as one of the foremost pioneers of racial Greg, Wilbur and Houston. The integration in the history of college athletics. Hackett spent his first season on campus as a pride we take in calling them member of the freshman team, watching as Nate Northington broke the color barrier in Southeastern Conference football. is matched When Northington left for Western Kentucky University after the season, Hackett heeded his teammate’s advice and stayed at UK to continue their shared work. Through death threats and even needing armed only by our gratitude for guards for one SEC road trip, Hackett stayed the course and excelled on the field. He received Sophomore All-SEC honors in 1968 and honor- what they have done for this able mention All-SEC recognition as a junior before being named UK’s Co-Most Valuable Player as a senior. That year, having earned universal respect from his teammates and coaches, Hackett became the first university and for college African-American team captain in any sport in SEC history. football in the South. – UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart 8 ” HOUSTON HOGG ike his three fellow trailblazers, Houston Hogg was a Kentuckian through and Lthrough. He started his youth football career in Hazard before completing high school at Owensboro’s Daviess County High School. In spite of being fully aware of the adversity that would come with attending the Bluegrass State’s flagship university, Hogg did not hesitate in following in the foot- steps of teammates Nate Northington and Greg Page and accepted a scholarship offer to play football at the University of Kentucky in 1967. As one of the first African-American football players in Southeastern Conference history, Hogg lettered for UK in 1969 and 1970 as a running back. Facing prejudice during his time as a Wildcat, Hogg en- dured and completed his career. Thanks to the determination of Hogg and his teammates, significant steps toward racial equality were made and thousands of young men now have the opportunity to pursue their dreams playing SEC football. 9 10 UK ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT themselves fully intheirteam. into anotherstrongseasonby investing A young groupofWildcats turned potential T Conference play straight with seven wins, first the coming Ole at by game-winning the burying 3-pointer final minute. inthe man record with 47points. He punctuated his coming-out party against North Carolina inwhich Malik Monk UKfresh the - set andto which came UCLA Louisville, between a103-100 thriller Fox triple-double, which was just second the inprogram history. came as UKblitzed Arizona State by 46points behind aDe’Aaron or more –and three 100-point performances, last the of which which included season, the straight seven by wins –all 21points ing to silencebuzz the through with run their first the month of youngthe Wildcats on to arrival their Lexington. did They noth- Freshman De’Aaron guards Fox and Malik Monk formed one of the nation’s most electric backcourt duos in their lone season at season lone their in nation’s duos backcourt electric most Kentucky, combining to average more than 36points. Similar to of start UKbegan the Southeastern season, the wouldDecember bring first the bumpsthe in in losses road

championship-or-bust expectations accompanied accompanied expectations championship-or-bust heartbreaking Elite Eight loss to North Carolina. themselves into team their only short to ina fall Kentucky Wildcats ounce had of poured every down cheeks their were you The to all see. needed heir broken voices said it The all. tears streaming Per usual, incredible hype and national- SENIOR TRIO KEY TO YOUNG TEAM’s SUCCESS three-member senior class was the heart and soul of this Kentucky team. Featuring Bluegrass natives Derek Willis and Dominique Hawkins along with Mychal Mulder, A the group provided a steadying presence for their younger teammates and turned in some of their best moments when their team needed them most. Mulder UK ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT embraced every opportunity afforded him and provided a valuable outside shooting presence. Hawkins, with his infectious smile, grew into one of UK’s steadiest performers by season’s end, memorably earning All-Southeastern Conference Tournament honors. Always a knockdown shooter, Willis became an essential presence as a defender and rebounder in the final month of his career, not to mention treating fans to one of the most memorable moments in the history of Senior Night at UK. In the midst of the famed pregame festivities, Willis thrilled everyone in Rupp Arena by dropping to one knee and proposing to his girlfriend.

Tough and unafraid of a battle, Bam Adebayo and Isaiah Miss as Isaiah Briscoe matched Fox’s triple-double. Briscoe were indispensable members of a Kentucky team that This time, however, there were signs of trouble that swept the Southeastern Conference regular-season and tourna- came back to bite the Cats in three losses in a four- ment titles. game span. Opponents had adjusted to the breakneck pace UK had used to dominate early in the year and the results led to questions about the Cats’ passion and whether they would ever reach their potential. In response, UK steadied the ship with eight straight wins that clinched the program’s 48th reg- ular-season SEC title. Kentucky then found another gear, particularly on defense, in sweeping through three SEC Tournament games in front of over- whelmingly blue crowds and parlayed the perfor- mance into a No. 2 seed in the Big Dance. There, UK got past a game Northern Kentucky team behind a double-double by Bam Adebayo, the unselfish big man who had developed into a bruising post presence late in the year. Next came a game against Wichita State that the Cats survived thanks to clutch defen- sive plays by Adebayo and Monk. The Sweet 16 brought a rematch with UCLA in which De’Aaron Fox dominated with 39 points, the most by a freshman in NCAA Tournament history. Of course, it would all end on the buzzer beater by UNC that undid a furious last-minute rally and sent the Cats into that emotional postgame locker room. Watching that scene though, there was no doubting that a talented group of individuals had truly become a team. 11 12 UK ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT f about to waver. the last. The Cats last.the The made a heart-stop- SEC wins, each more impressive than Alabama, UKreeled offthree straight participant tucky football history. first duo of 1,000-yardrushers in Ken- wouldwho team with Snell to form the to 123rushing yards Williams, by Boom South Carolina ina17-10battle thanks Southeasternbested Conference foe back Benny Snell. Aweek later, Cats the and breakout star freshman running behind backupto to rally victory quarterback Stephen Johnson selves and coaching their saweveryone Soon, staff. why. however, Cats the remained steadfast- inthem belief intheir side program. the Inside four the of walls UKlocker the room, Lexington an overwhelming underdog, negativity out swirled - at halftime visitingto a New Mexico State thatteam came to back out with aback injurythat would end and his season down in 2016.Four of UK’s came by atouchdown wins or less. seven Johnson at quarterback, Kentucky had aknack for winning games close With clutch kicker Austin MacGinnis and the always calm Stephen Off theirto season, thestarting an 0-2 2016 to start quarter After a loss the on eventual road to First, UKoutscored New Mexico State second 27-7inthe half good or weregood bad, they going to keep on grinding. back to work. No matter circumstances, the they be or adevastating loss, Wildcats the were going to get same.the No matter result, the it win be athrilling of or four years with Mark Stoops at helm the Kentucky football, approach the had always been So, times even were when bleakest, weren’t they - guess what Cats the are going to do: go to work. point could not For erased. be an encore, you can since 2010,but progress the made inreaching that in a41-38win. for his second game-winning field season thegoal of a late turnover and driving to position MacGinnis season-long mantra of “Finish” into action by forcing and on 11th-ranked Louisville road, the UKput its to with toe Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson ing signature the of Stoops the victory era. Going toe out regular the with two- season wins, second the be succeed. to backs, putting opportunistic their defense inposition a gifted offensive linestable deepand running of They wereballs. goingrun run andto often behind as-nails quarterback touch with afeathery on deep CatsThe were a bruising offenseled bya tough- against and Georgia Tennessee –UKhad an identity. afterwhichcame back-to-back hard-fought losses road at win Missouri inpiling up 377rushing yards. victory. Next out, time UKwas dominant ina35-21 Austin MacGinnis as expired time to claim a40-38 State, last the three coming ina51-yard field goal by for 34points second against inthe half Mississippi overa 20-13win Vanderbilt before exploded they ping red-zone standseconds final inthe to close out reach 1,000yards in the same season. WilliamsBoom became the first Wildcats in bothto history Leading adominant rushing attack, Benny Snell (right) and reached abowlforthefirsttimesince2010. Facing adversity andimproving forhaving overcome it, KENTUCKY UK would short inits fall firstbowl appearance The approach worked perfection as UK to closed By end the of three-game the winning streak – UK’S MARCHTOJACKSONVILLE WIN #7 WIN #6 WIN #5 WIN #4 WIN #3 WIN #2 WIN #1 | at Louisville 41-38|at 49-13|vs. Austin Peay Missouri 35-21|at 40-38|vs. MississippiState 20-13|vs.Vanderbilt 17-10|vs. SouthCarolina 62-42|vs. NewMexico St.

13 UKUK ATHLETICS ATHLETICS ANNUAL ANNUAL REPORT REPORT 14 UK ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT A to Liberty. But even sitting at 0-4,that was moment the when a total of four and runs dropped then a5-4midweek decision road.Cats The showedtheirgritthree in hard-fought defeats by started, facing ranked ahighly North Carolina team on the They meeting. would staythat way all year. hadn’t even made NCAA the Tournament since 2014. eyestheir at mention the of World College the since UK Series brushed off Mingione’s as cliché.talk They could have rolled abouteven talked how that family would chase atrip to Omaha. mered home message the that program the would afamily be and which Wildcats the would live on both and offthe field. He ham- He about talked “Student, Person, Player,” philosophy the by Point presentation inwhich he laid out his vision for UKbaseball. There, he wentthrough a meticulously builttwo-hour Power opportunitymaking most the of had every to they improve. gotthey there, though, was with asingular, unrelenting on focus capturing aregional championship for first the ever.time The way andgoal even put celebration their training after use to good celebrated thefirsttriptosuperregionalsinprogramhistory. reaching unprecedentedheights. Lessthanayearlater, theWildcats From themomentNickMingionearrivedlastsummer,UKsetitssights on UK would put be to test the immediately once season the Instead, were they engaged from to start finish thatat initial The messagecould haveflat. fallen Players could have Thatbeganwith Mingione’s firstmeeting newteam. hiswith The Wildcats, course,of eventuallywould Mingione’srealize that happens aftertitle-clinching a performance. even had his team practice ritual the of dogpiling done inhis program’s history. In practices, he fall wanting to do things that never before had been from his aspirations. He about freely talked inJuneball of 2016,Nick Mingione never hid beingfter namedcoach head of Kentucky base- - Blue Nation. the Kentucky firsthis season. energized program he turn, In and the Big talented of group Wildcats reach untapped their previously potential in Relentlessly positive and uplifting, Nick Mingione (right) helped a gets there. however, suggests it might not long be before Kentucky Omaha. The foundationlaid by Mingione’s firstteam, back-and-forth battle into a10-5win. line.the Overcoming along rain delay, UKturned an early with North Carolina State on with aSuper Regional berth records, UKfound itself inawinner-take-all showdown crowds that Cliff set twice Hagan Stadium attendance wouldn’t waste opportunity. the Playing in front of raucous to right the earn to host aregional inLexington.Cats The SECbounced inthe Tournament, but had done they enough Year Hjelle Sean and First-Team All-SEC closer Logan Salow. MahanRiley and apitching staffthat featured SEC Pitcher the of offense led All-Americansby Evan White, Tristan Pompey and ference regular-season championship league’s behind the best themselves as aleading contender for Southeastern the - Con Cats would charge into top the 10of national rankings and assert would go on to play World College inthe From Series. there, the sweeps of aranked UCSB squad and aTexas A&Mteam that no intention of staying there. knocked down,had been but he could immediately had they see Mingione team he on had knew aspecial his hands.Cats The The next weekend,Catsthe fell short tripthe of to UK would just fall short of league the title before being winsFifteen inUK’s next 17 games would follow, including 2017 HONORS

NCAA LEXINGTON REGIONAL CHAMPIONS TRISTAN POMPEY FINAL RANKING: No. 9, Baseball America Third-Team All-America, Baseball America RECORD: 43-23 Third-Team All-America, Collegiate Baseball NICK MINGIONE First-Team All-SEC SEC Coach of the Year LOGAN SALOW Third-Team All-America, NCBWA

Perfect Game/Rawlings College Head Coach of the Year UK ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT EVAN WHITE First-Team All-SEC ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Award Sixth-Round MLB Draft Pick, Oakland Athletics Golden Spikes Award Semifinalist ZACK THOMPSON Second-Team All-America, Baseball America First-Team Freshman All-America, Perfect Game/Rawlings Third-Team All-America, Collegiate Baseball ZACH LOGUE All-SEC Defensive Team SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year No. 17 Overall MLB Draft Pick, Seattle Mariners Ninth-Round MLB Draft Pick, Toronto Blue Jays RILEY MAHAN STORM WILSON Second-Team All-America, Collegiate Baseball SEC Community Service Team Second-Team All-America, NCBWA ZACH POP Third-Team All-America, Baseball America Seventh-Round MLB Draft Pick, Los Angeles Dodgers Second-Team All-SEC ZACH REKS Dick Howser Trophy Semifinalist 10th-Round MLB Draft Pick, Los Angeles Dodgers Third-Round MLB Draft Pick, Miami Marlins JUSTIN LEWIS SEAN HJELLE 11th-Round MLB Draft Pick,Tampa Bay Rays SEC Picther of the Year CONNOR HEADY Second-Team All-America, Collegiate Baseball 23rd-Round MLB Draft Pick, Los Angeles Dodgers First-Team All-SEC

15 16 UK ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT “ d Wildcats would springboard into nationals. women’sthe relay 800freestyle team took silver. From there, the gold-medal performances by Freriks Geena and Asia Seidt–and came Six in10th. different individuals won –including medals team aschool record tied with athird-place finish theand men ConferenceSoutheastern Championships, where women’s the competitionpostseason with big things inmind. First came seasons Kentucky’sbest program has ever seen. steady improvement that resulted. It culminated all inone of the was marked by consistent buy-in to coaching anew staff and Rise”the had come to definetheir four years at UK. That time freshmantheir Afew years season. later, would they realize “On

After a thesuccessful season, regular Wildcats to headed anielle for Galyer speaks her fellow seniors when It was really amagical weekend hereinIndianapolis. program history at NCAAs, Ifeellikeweaccomplished that. and withplacing third at SECsandgettingthemost pointsin We talked aboutmaking thisthebestteaminschoolhistory, – UKHead Swimming– Coach Lars Jorgensen was only originally supposed tagline the to for be Wildcats adopted amantra of “On Rise” the inwhat swimming and diving program. Immediately, the Jorgensen took reins the at headcoach of the she says she counts herself lucky. The groupThe arrived at Kentucky Larsjust as

er, doesn’t figure to stopwithout them. rise theThe of Kentucky swimming and diving program, howev- Year and Gunn Sean won Award. Community the Service Female Team of Year, the LarsJorgensen was of named Coach the Athlete of Year the Awards, women’s the while team was named her team. Galyer received Miss the Wildcat and Scholar- CATSPYthe Awards brought even more hardware for her and onealso of Wildcats seven to SEC honors earn postseason and top grade-point average at NCAA Championships. Galyer was Galyer was named winner the of Elite the 90Award for having the to pour infor Wildcats. the For second the consecutive year, freshman. true with Seidt claiming abronze 200backstroke inthe medal as a Eight different performances,Wildcats All-America in turned placebest finish,the in10 years, theand camemen in37th. athistory NCAA Championships with 106points and a14th- Now, that senior class moves on to next the step lives. intheir season wasThoughthe over thatat point, awardscontinued The women’s postedteam pointits highest school total in ” REBECCA HAMPERIAN GEENA FRERIKS Backstroke) Backstroke) ASIA SEIDT Backstroke) DANIELLE GALYER 2017 HONORS TO A14thPLACEFINISHat NCAAChampionships. UP THEMostPointsinProgramHistory ENROUTE Kentucky CAPPEDOFFITS2017SEASONBY RACKING All-SEC SecondTeam SEC Silver Medalist(1-Meter) Second-Team All-America(3-Meter) TeamAll-SEC First Relay, 200Free) Second-Team All-America(500Free, 400Medley First-Team All-America(800Free Relay) SEC Champion(200Freestyle) SEC All-Freshman Team TeamAll-SEC First Second-Team All-America(400Medley Relay, 100 First-Team All-America (800Free Relay, 200IM, SEC Female theYear Freshman Swimmerof SEC Champion(200Backstroke) NCAA Bronze Medalist(200Backstroke) All-SEC SecondTeam 800 Free Relay) SEC Silver Medalist(200Backstroke, Second-Team All-America(400Medley Relay, 100 200 Backstroke) First-Team All-America(800Free Relay, theYearScholar-Athlete of CATSPY CATSPYMiss Wildcat First-Team AcademicAll-America Elite 90Award NCAA Championships. winning agold medal at SEC Championships and at bronze in Kentucky swimming and diving in history 2017,including hadAsia one Seidt of the most decorated freshman seasons SEB MASTERTON BRIDGETTE ALEXANDER KATHRYN PAINTER KENDAL CASEY MADISON WINSTEAD ALI GALYER Honorable MentionAll-America(1-MeterDive) Second-Team All-America(200Backstroke) Second-Team America(400IM) All-SEC SecondTeam SEC Bronze Medalist(500Free) SEC All-Freshman Team All-SEC SecondTeam SEC Silver Medalist(100Backstroke) Second-Team All-America(400Medley Relay) SEC All-Freshman Team All-SEC SecondTeam First-Team All-America(800Free Relay, 200Backstroke) instrumental roles in arecord-setting 2017season. Bridgette Alexander and diver Rebecca Hamperian played Galyer, Danielle Asia Seidt, Galyer, head coach Lars Jorgensen, From Kendra left, Crew,assistant coach Mason Norman, Ali

17 UK ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT 18 UK ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT meter hurdles, respectively. right) in turned silver in the jump medal triple performances and 100 Marie-Josée Ebwea-Bile (aboveand left) JasmineCamacho-Quinn (above school at history the 2017NCAA Outdoor Championships, while Olivia Gruver (top) became the firstpole-vault national champion in I Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, Kayelle Clarke and Kianna Gray com- vaultpole national title inprogram history, Destiny while Carter, were exceptional. Just asophomore, Olivia Gruver won first the ship effortsthat havebecome thoughoccurrences,these regular Indoor Track and Field Championships finish. in March gave also team the its fourth straight top-12 NCAA topin the 11infour straight years. Asixth-place performance Championships intwo of last the three seasons and finished now reached at podium the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field

At outdoors, UKgot apair of kindof the national-champion- tent levelof excellence. women’s track and field beginningteam is to reachconsis a - guidancethe of Floréal, headcoach Edrick Kentucky the ment over of time. Year aperiod afterpassing year under t’s one thing to achieve at level ahigh once. It’s another thing entirely to sustain to begin that level high of achieve- After a fourth-place finish in June, theWildcats have UK ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT

The Kentucky women’s track and field team finished on the podium at the NCAA Outdoor Championships for the second time in the last three seasons, placing fourtH. bined to form the gold-medal winning 4x100-meter relay team. That came on the heels of Sha’Keela Very proud of our team. Saunders winning the indoor long-jump national championship three months prior. Without question, UK has become a program to Our success in events like be reckoned with on the national (and international) scene. National champions, Olympians and even the 4x1, pole vault and a world-record holder have worn Blue and White in recent seasons and Kentucky played host to the triple jump shows that we NCAA East Preliminary Round in May, a massive “ undertaking that was attended by thousands and highlighted UK’s commitment to the sport. are growing and adding to The future, if Floréal has anything to say about it, looks even brighter. With elite athletes flocking to our brand. Lexington, he has his eye on climbing that podium at nationals. The very top spot is the goal. – UK Head Track & Field Coach Edrick Floréal

PLACE SCHOOL SCORE ” 1 Oregon 64 2 Georgia 62.2 3 USC 43 4 KENTUCKY 40 5 Florida 39 6 Arkansas 38.2 7 LSU 32 Texas 32 9 Kansas State 25 UK earned its second-best team finish and point total at the 10 Arizona State 21 NCAA Outdoor Championships in history. Kentucky was the NCAA runner-up with 50 points in 2015. 19 20 UK ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT spanning all of UKAthletics’ ventures. followed, has achievement of era incredible athleticsas director at Oregon State. An Kentucky in 2002after a tenuresuccessful Mitch arrived Barnhart at the University of STEADY LEADERSHIP. OF SUCCESSUNDERMITCHBARNHART’S UNPRECEDENTED DECADEANDAHALF KENTUCKY ATHLETICSHASENJOYED AN M commitment to winning and developing young people. Invest- Immediately taken. been upon his made arrival, plain Barnhart his program’s growth, going hand inhand to drive steps the that have measure inquestion. achieved at asustained and unprecedented level, no matter the tenure as athletics director, during which UKAthletics time has Commitment and investment, inmany ways, have the defined are pursuing, success is facets required. inall itch isn’t Barnhart out to have an athletics 15 years have coincided with Barnhart’s is steadily building toward that. exactly Those To reach elite the status he and UKAthletics department that just excels incompetition. tors and success intheir inlife after Kentucky. dedication, success intheir both as competi- reaped rewards the of hard their work and Over the last and the decade Over ahalf, Kentucky teams and university their and ultimately women have poured themselves into their ments country. in the same Those men and UK Athletics as among- depart best the ment has followed, that whether has come White over that and time help establish in the formin the of state-of-the-art facilities and women have worn Blue the and or form inthe of spent time coach- ing, mentoring or tutoring. themselves. Thousands men Thousands of themselves. committing and investing mitment and investment by have rewarded that com- In turn, Wildcat students home conference titles. women’s soccer, and women’s tennis have brought men’sball, tennis, men’s soccer, men’s golf, baseball, in winning anational women’s title, while basket- to bottom.rifleteam The joined men’s basketball never strong has department so the been from top Wildcats’ eighth national championship in2012, but program usual, has highlighted thrivedper by the and sport atop-fivein every finish the by year 2022. Elite 1-3-5–that has UKpursuing championships after,Soon Barnhart announced its successor – topthe 15of Directors’ the Cup by year the 2015. ence or national championships and finishing in 15by bold the 15by 15Plan, winning 15confer school-record finishseason. 10th-place this streak of placing top inthe 30,culminating ina years later. Now, Kentucky is midst the of asix-year inBarnhart’swas 50th firstseasonseven and 29th steady guiding hand –improvement followed. UK side top the 40.Slowly but surely –with Barnhart’s standings and average the annual finish was out- topin the 30of Learfield Directors’Sports Cup COMPETItion UK’s perennially men’s powerful basketball Along way, the UKmarked completion the of priorOnly twice to 2002had Kentucky finished The resultsfor themselves.speak -

21 UK ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT UK ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT FACILITIES Barnhart has lofty expectations for the department he leads. He also believes in the importance of providing supporting resources that match those expectations. Accordingly, one of his first moves upon arriving in Lexing- ton was to provide the maximum amount of scholarships and April 2013 coaches allowed by the NCAA for each of UK’s 22 teams. That wasn’t enough, however. Barnhart knew a reinvention of UK’s facilities would have to take place in order for the department to achieve at the level he demanded. The reinvention began in earnest in 2007 when construction on the was completed. The facility changed the way the department did business, housing the men’s and women’s basketball teams and many administrative offices. The last five years have brought a boom of sorts, starting with the completion of UK’s new outdoor track in 2012. Three years later, the women’s track and field team finished as the national runner-up. 2013 brought both a new locker room to Rupp Arena and the opening of John Cropp Stadium for UK softball. The men’s basketball team would reach the Final Four in each of the next two years and the softball program made its first Women’s Col- lege World Series in 2014. In 2014, UK opened the Wendell and Vickie Bell Soccer

Complex and the new Golf House. Men’s soccer then went on March 2017 to win the Conference USA championship in 2015, while the men’s golf team placed 13th at NCAA Championships in 2016. Then it was the football program’s turn, with a renovated opening in 2015 and the state-of-the-art Joe Craft Football Training Facility a year later. That season, UK reached its first bowl since 2010. All totaled, UK has invested more than $300 million in facility upgrades since 2002, which doesn’t even account for the men’s basketball locker room expansion and new baseball stadium in progress, plus the new tennis facility currently in the works. Barnhart’s commitment to providing resources to match expectations is clear. Unprecedented results have followed.

22 August 2014 “ October 2012 – UKAthletics Director Mitch– Barnhart expectations andmatch those up. Wetalk aboutthat alot. we want todo. Wewant tocontinue toTAKE resourcesand We transformedsomefacilities. We’vegotsomemorethings

(bottom left), (bottomand left), completed the Joe CraftFootball Training Facility(bottom right). Kroger Field (top baseball right), of stadium anew broken groundon the construction outdooropened anew track and field (top complex,middle) debuted a reimagined the five last softballyears, Over UK opened has new soccer and facilitiesleft), (top July 2016 September 2015 ”

23 UK ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT UK ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT STUDENT DEVELOPMENT AND WELFARE Just as UK is working to build a comprehensive department, the goal is to develop well-rounded athletes who excel in all they do – from competition to the classroom to the community. UK is doing so by investing in their growth and surrounding them with a support system well suited to helping athletes cope with the unique demands of competing in high-level college sports. That support comes in the form of one of the best coaching staffs in the country and a support staff on the cutting edge in many fields. Among them are strength and conditioning, ath- letic training, nutrition, and branding. The idea is that Wildcat athletes leave UK equipped with a skillset that will translate no matter the path they choose. Considering they are becoming doctors, dentists, lawyers, accountants, veterinarians, entrepreneurs, NBA All-Stars, Olympians, world-record holders and everything in between, the approach seems to be working. More than 60 Wildcats have participated in department-sponsored ACADEMICS international service trips since 2011, including swimmer Kyle Higgins (above), who traveled to Ethiopia in 2016. More than 100 Referring to the men and women who suit up for UK teams, Wildcat athletes graduated during the 2016-17 academic year, in- Barnhart makes a point of using the term “student” rather than cluding softball All-American pitcher Kelsey Nunley (below). “student-athlete.” That’s no accident. From the athletics director to the coaching staff to the advisors and tutors of the Center for Academic and Tutorial Services – the first academic center of its kind in America – academics are a priority.

24 the people they met firsthand. and peoplethe had they seen poverty the they of gratitude, humility and having perspective touched been by Everytime,sports. athletes return stateside with arenewed sense one later summer inthe with athletes nominated from other all to two trips each year –one inMay with players football and began in2011with asingle trip and football has now expanded abroad department the sponsors to Ethiopia or America.It Latin brings aunique platform and it’s one Wildcats the don’t waste. Community Program. Wearing Blue the and White of Kentucky don’tthey officially submit through UKAthletics’ the Cats in volunteering for dozens of worthy causes and countless more community. year, Each spend upwards they of 4,000hours athletes have made clear commitment their inthe to serving winners Danielle Galyer (swimming) and Sutjiadi Aldila (tennis). 90 award winner infive straight years, includingback-to-back ademic Honor each Roll year. Additionally, UKhas had an Elite hundreds of athletes named to Southeastern the Conference Ac- better. Individual success has followed departmental success, with an ongoing streak of 10straight semesters with aGPA of 3.0or become aregular since, occurrence with department the owning UK Athletics topped spring 3.0inthe semester of 2010.It’s 15 by 15Plan in2008.In spite of never reaching mark the before, ment-wide cumulative grade-point average of as part 15by the CAMPUS PARTNERSHIP COMMUNITY OUTREACH Don andCathy Jacobs ScienceBuilding, whichopenedlastfall. UK Athleticsprovided nearly two-thirds ofthefundingfor opened this past fall. of $100-plus the million project. The Science JacobsBuilding impact of such afacility on campus, nearly funded two-thirds Cathy Jacobs Building. UKAthletics, Science recognizing the of higher learning, UK Athletics is proud of its partnership with of higherlearning,UKAthleticsisprouditspartnershipwith the university it represents. That partnership has manifested the universityitrepresents.Thatpartnershiphasmanifested One of most visible public faces of a world-class institution One ofmostvisiblepublicfacesaworld-classinstitution The mostvisible exampletrips the been annualhasservice Whether it’s an away ocean or here inLexington, Wildcat originally establishedBarnhart of agoal - a3.0depart The bestThe example thatof partnership, however,Donthe is and itself inmore than $150million indirectand indirectcon- tributions on campus. UK Athletics pays full in-state and tributions oncampus.UKAthleticspaysfullin-stateand annual $2millionUniversityService AssessmentFee. out-of-state tuition rates for each of its 340 scholarships, out-of-state tuitionratesforeachofits340scholarships, in addition to donating $1.7 million annually toward in additiontodonating$1.7million annuallytoward non-athletic university scholarships and paying an non-athletic universityscholarships andpayingan Jacobs Science Building last October. Building last Jacobs Science UK softball All-American Katie Reed spoke at thededication of the

25 UK ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT 26 UK ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT TIME INFIVEYEARS. POWERHOUSE IN2017,ADVANCING TOANCAASUPERREGIONALfortheFOURTH KENTUCKY CONTINUEDTOCEMENTITSREPUTATION ASACOLLEGESOFTBALL regionals andregionals celebrated at asweep John Cropp Stadium in May. The No. 14 overallseed in the NCAA Tournament, Kentucky hosted ne look at the makeup of Kentucky soft- raced out to a 19-4 start to the season before hitting ball’s roster and it was hard not to a lull early in Southeastern Conference play, but the wonder. The Wildcats would be over- Cats, of course, responded. Their signature wins came whelmingly young, with freshmen and against top-five opponents Florida and Texas A&M, sophomores comprising more than with UK taking two of three from the Aggies on Se- two-thirds of the roster. The best pitcher nior Weekend. That came just a week after Kentucky in school history – Kelsey Nunley – was gone, along completed a sweep at Missouri by rallying from an owith five classmates who made up the most decorated 8-3 deficit in the final two innings of the series finale.

class UK had ever seen. All that added up to a No. 14 overall seed in the UK ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT It was no surprise, then, that head coach Rachel NCAA Tournament, where the Cats would sweep Lawson was asked at media day: Would 2017 be a through the Lexington Regional by allowing just two rebuilding year? It was also no surprise that she and runs over three games. Then it was on to the pro- her team answered with an emphatic no, both that gram’s fifth Super Regional trip in seven years, this day and throughout the season. one taking UK to the West Coast to face third-seeded Facing a challenging schedule, the Cats found Oregon. The Cats would fall short of their goal to their feet quickly. Meagan Prince emerged as UK’s reach the Women’s College World Series, but once ace in her senior season, while shortstop Katie Reed again it was no surprise Lawson immediately started developed into a bona fide star as a sophomore in be- thinking about how she would take here team there coming the program’s third All-American. Kentucky in 2018.

Meagan Prince established herself as Kentucky’s ace during her senior year. She had a 21-9 record on the season and added five saves.

UK IN THE POSTSEASON UNDER COACH LAWSON (2008-17)

2009 NCAA Regional 2014 College World Series 2010 NCAA Regional 2015 NCAA Super Regional 2011 NCAA Super Regional 2016 NCAA Regional 2012 NCAA Regional 2017 NCAA Super Regional 2013 NCAA Super Regional

27 28 UK ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT Championships. the all-around at NCAA All-America honors in on bars and second-team team All-America status first- and claimed titles Kentucky 19event with of the Year, led Korth The SEC season. Freshman freshman throughout her Mollie dazzled Korth T elite TEAMS. themselves among thenation’s Wildcats’ goal ofestablishing significant strides toward the gymnastics programtook Records fellastheKentucky the firstthe ever,time Kentucky downtook perenniallypowerthe four-timewhen national champion Alabama came to town. For came on amemorable winter night inMemorial Coliseum highest scores meet inschool history. The highest all them of ning to happen. piecesallow into those to fall place. potential. And perhaps most of it all, would patience take to unwaveringtake dedication for athletes those to realize their

The Wildcats had a record-setting year, registeringthe four If was any 2017season the indication, that exactly - is begin ransforming Kentucky the program gymnastics to attract elite athletes fit who that culture. It would It would arelentless take effort the on trail recruiting build kind of the culture that would required. be Itbeginning. was going to asteady take hand to process. Tim that Garrison knew from very the into anational power was always going a to be - UK ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT

Sophomores Sidney Dukes (near left) and Alex Hyland (below) followed up strong freshman seasons by emerging as team leaders in 2017. Hyland also qualified for NCAA Championships for the second straight year.

The 2017 season had statement wins, record setting scores, and all-time program high national rankings resulting in our first-ever “appearance as a two seed at NCAA Regionals. – UK Head Gymnastics Coach Tim Garrison ful Crimson Tide with a score of 197.475. Though the performance was extraordinary and unprecedented, the formula the Cats used was the same one that worked all season. With a strong group of all-arounders complemented by willing role play- ” ers, UK clinched a regional berth with the highest re- gional qualifying score in school history. There, a pair of Wildcats – freshman Mollie Korth and sophomore Alex Hyland – each qualified for NCAA Champion- ships in the all-around. Korth put an exclamation mark on her outstand- ing debut season by earning first-team All-America honors on bars and second-team All-America recog- nition in the all-around. Her 9.925 score on bars was the highest score ever for a UK gymnast at NCAA Championships, suggesting an even brighter future for the Cambridge, Wisconsin, native. As a team, UK set another school record by was a positive step for the program, but one that left scoring 196.200 at regionals. Kentucky, however, fell the Cats hungry to take the next one. With a roster just short of qualifying for NCAA Championships featuring 13 freshmen and sophomores among its 16 in finishing third at the NCAA Seattle Regional. It athletes, they seem primed to take it. 29 GOVERNOR’S CUP COMES HOME

Big Blue Madness (top) was the annual spectacle it always is, with Wildcat swooping in from the rafters and Michael Buffer introducing the men’s basketball team. One of the games of the year for UK, without a doubt, was the Wildcats’ thrilling upset of Louisville, which they can be seen celebrating above. The highlight of the cross country season was a 33rd-place performance by Katy Kunc at nationals, earning her All-America honors.

JACOBS SCIENCE BUILDING OPENS

UK Athletics welcomed a decorated Hall of Fame Class in the fall: (football), Chuck Hayes (men’s basketball), James Johnson (wrestling), Molly Johnson-Belcher (softball), Bernadette Madigan Dugan (track/cross country) and Wesley Woodyard (football) 30 UK ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT

KENTUCKY ATHLETICS MADE HUGE STRIDES ON MANY FRONTS IN 2016-17 IN ITS ONGOING QUEST TO GO FROM GREAT TO ELITE.

Paul Sime (above) was NEW STADIUM ON THE HORIZON the 2017 Arthur Ashe Jr. Male Sports Scholar of the Year. The politi- cal science major was a four-year starter on the men’s soccer team and graduated with a 4.0 grade point average.

The two words I think about when I think about this stadium are commitment and investment. – UK BASEBALL COACH NICK MINGIONE ON ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEW STADIUM CONSTRUCTION

“ he UK baseball team – which completed A NEW ERA BEGINS a historic 2017 season playing in the nearly Ian Carry was named 40-year-old Stadium – will women’s soccer head coach move into its new home in fall 2018. in November after four years After years of planning and even more as an assistant. years of hoping, construction on the new stadium began in March 2017 with a Tgroundbreaking ceremony. Located off Alumni Drive next to UK’s softball, soccer and baseball facilities, the stadium will feature amenities of the highest quality for student-athletes and fans alike. 31 32 UK ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT T

the cheersthe inrather than leading them. lina at Rupp Arena, cheerleading the team soaked men’sthe team’s basketball game vs. South Caro - tribute. receivedthey At adeserved halftime of 22nd time.ed Wildcats won national the title for an unprecedent- hardwarethe for second the straight the season, 97.8 out of apossible 100points. Bringing home

When cheerleaders the returned to Lexington, disappoint center take they when stage. role,porting but Wildcats the rarely spends most of year the inasup- he Kentucky cheerleading team national championship yet again in January, anear-perfect tallying score of The UK cheerleaders wonthe signed this contract spring. extensions come after JohnCalipari and Mark Stoops in be hands good forprograms will years to men’s and football basketball theOn coaching front, UK’s CHEERLEADING WINS22 200-yard butterfly. the in nationals for qualified Higgins Indoor Championships. Kyle swimmer Senior captured silver in the at dash 60-meter NCAA jump and Javianne Oliver (near middle) left, top)won a gold left, medal in the indoorlong Year honors, while Sha’Keela (near Saunders team,volleyball winning SEC Freshman of the (farhad left) an impressivedebut for the by UKathletes.performances Leah Edmond It ayear of was outstanding individual ND NATIONALTITLE 2017 FOOTBALLSIGNINGDAY Below, the Kentucky football team welcomed yet another strong recruiting class on Signing Day and the Big Blue Nation was able to follow along every step of the way through a live stream aired from the war room at the Recruit- ing Room at Kroger Field. The class was ranked 26th nationally according to Rivals. UK ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT

2017 FOOTBALL SIGNING DAY

he UK women’s basketball team had one It’s been a long year, culminating of its smaller senior classes in recent years in 2016-17, but it was one of the most memorable groups the program with this class here today that’s has ever seen due to the contributions of Makayla Epps and Evelyn going to represent this university Akhator. Epps has always been TKentucky through and through, becoming one of “the right way. The fans are going to the greatest Wildcats in program history for her home-state school. Akhator, meanwhile, spent only two years in Lexington after growing up be very proud of this group. in Lagos, Nigeria. Nonetheless, they left UK the same way, having poured everything they had – UK Head Football Coach Mark Stoops into their team and school. Wildcat student” athletes combined to serve 4,055 hours in the community in 2016-17, volunteering their time in Lexington and far beyond the Commonwealth’s borders.

33 34 UK ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT T arrival forarrival semester. fall the PartnerGrocery of Move-In helping their to ease partnership, with Kroger’s presence at Official the improve playing fields andfacilities. formed communities to select to receive grants to UK Sports and Campus Marketing has been representatives from UKAthletics, Kroger, and Jarmon,RachelLawson,coach head softball and alumnifootball Freddie Maggard and Jeremy already up and as running, acommittee featuring partnershipthe is already fruit. bearing committed to interweaving themselves. Early on, agreement is way the two iconic brands have common but insports, what differentiatesthis university. Naming rights agreements are Commonwealth of Kentucky and its flagship May, borne out of ashared commitment to the announced comprehensive their partnership in Campus Marketing –aJMISports property –

UK students have benefitedfrom also the The KrogerCommunity Fields Program is the mostthe impactful. nership with Kroger, but it is far from Universitythe of Kentucky’s part change is most the visible example of of Kentucky denoting football name the he signage on outside the of home the UK, Kroger, and UKSports and COMPREHENSIVE PARTNERSHIP WITHKROGER (men’s Isabelle Johansson (women’s golf), golf), Sutjiadi (women’s tennis) each their led teams Fromright to below, left Cooper Musselman Will Bushamuka (men’s tennis) and Aldila to NCAA play during the spring season. EVERY UK TEAM once again tallied passing Academic Progress Rate scores, led by four teams that received national recognition for their high marks. UK ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT

Football center Jon Toth (middle left) and swimmer Danielle Galyer, pictured with Deputy Athletics Director DeWayne Peevy (far left) and hile most college students K Fund donor Vickie Bell (far right) took home headed home for the sum- Mr. and Miss Wildcat honors at the annual mer, members of UK’s CATSPY Awards this spring. track and field, softball, and baseball teams enjoyed staying in Lexington a little longer this May and June. WOver the course of three consecutive weeks, the University of Kentucky hosted three consecutive NCAA regional events. First came softball, with the 14th-seeded Wild- cats enjoying home-field advantage and sweeping through the weekend and into super regionals. Next was track and field, as UK hosted the NCAA East Preliminary Round for the first time and used the event as a springboard into the nation- al-championship meet. Finally, the baseball team earned a regional bid and clinched its first-ever super-regional trip on its home field.

FORMER UK AD C.M. NEWTON HONORED his summer, C.M. Newton was inducted into the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics Hall of Fame. Decades after his playing career as a member of UK’s men’s basketball and Tbaseball teams, Newton ushered UK Athletics into the 21st century as athletics director. The 1999 Athletics Director of the Year was at UK for men’s basketball’s 1996 and 1998 national championships and his term was marked by facility expansion and revenue growth. 35 36 UK ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT

$136.9M – T and interns. UKAthletics contributes also $1.7million annually scholarships, which includes student-athletes, trainers, managers in-state full the and out-of-state tuition rates for 340of all its ate without help the of any university or state funds, it pays also of university the it represents. Not only UKAthletics does oper into and contributing positively to overall the academic mission ticket and sales trademark anew licensing agreement. and scholarshiping salary costs and revenue added coming from last year, with additional coming expenses mostly due to increas - marks an increase of alittle more than $4million compared to revenue and ledgers expense each totaling $136.9 million. That UK Athletics’ 2017-18revenue $4 million compared the with increase by a little more than more little a by increase and expenses are to and expected expenses

UK Athletics takes seriously also its commitment to fitting

previous fiscal year. fiscal previous budget for year, 2017-18fiscal the with projected financial stewardship, effectiveoperations and Athletics Department. UKAthletics relies on sound has to go along way for University the of Kentucky innovative revenue generation to make that happen. o achieve its many dollar goals, each and every UK Athletics again will operate with abalanced 17-18 OPERATINGEXPENSES Building Singletary Assessment 2.7% 0.1% 0.4% 0.7% 2.4% 12.9% Scholarships Robinson 0.5% 1.5% 6.6%

Scholarships Jacobs Science Transfer for Scholarships Transfer for for Scholarships President’s Office Transfer to Other Services Transfer for Service Transfer for Postseason Debt Service Transfer for

Sports Services Sports 7.0% 4.9% 7.8% 3.6% 13.3% 14.1% 1.8% 4.3% 5.4%

Men’s Basketball Basketball Women’s Camps Other Men’s Football Support Support Ops External Admin Support Other Women’s

- Barnhart has served as athletics director. has served Barnhart more than $150million to university the 15 years inthe Mitch ing indirect and direct contributions, UKAthletics has delivered $500,000 inannual radio advertising to university. the Combin- than $150million inrevenue through its licensing program and on anational stage acrossproviding also while 22sports more as “front the serves porch” for university the by representing UK opened last fall. onebecame of of best the its United kind inthe States it when two-thirds of $100-plus the million building, which immediately such payment is made, UKAthletics have will paid for nearly Donnew &Cathy Jacobs Building. By Science last the time the contributes annually toward payments debt funding service the ment’s on-campus commitment, however, is $3.7million the it Fee of $1.9million. Perhaps example best the of- depart the department and pays an annual University Assessment Service for academic scholarships for students not affiliated the with $136.9M – As President Capilouto Eli oftensays, UK also Athletics University funds no State appropriations or KENTUCKY Athletics receives 17-18 OPERATINGRevenuES Sports Sports 0.4% 27.1% 2.7% 0.1% 0.7% 20.3% 13.3% 2.6% 2.7% Other

Camps Other Women’s Other Men’s Licensing Football K Fund12.9%

23.9% 0.2% 0.3% 21.0% Rights 7.8% Contractual

Activity Fees Basketball Student Women’s Multimedia Men’s Basketball The Kentucky baseball team, whose story appears on page 14, put a fitting cap on a record-setting season in UK Athletics by advancing to super regionals for the first time in program history in June.