< Previousn Record graduation rates and bold goals for continued growth, guided by our strategic plan n More than 8,000 degrees and 1,700 certificates awarded in the last academic year n Campus community with students from all 120 Kentucky counties, all 50 states and more than 100 countries n More than $7 billion in campus transformation, much of it financed in collaboration with private and public partners, focused on student living and learning communities, modern research laboratories, innovative teaching and learning spaces and one of the fastest growing academic medical centers in the country n A nearly $8.6 billion enterprise, UK is the region’s largest employer n The $527 million UK spent on research and development in FY24 generated $937 million in economic activity across the state, supporting more than 4,700 jobs throughout Kentucky n UK students compete successfully for prestigious scholarships and awards, such as the Fulbright, Astronaut, Truman, Goldwater, Marshall, Udall, Rhodes and Gates Cambridge n The hospitals and clinics of UK HealthCare provide advanced subspecialty care for the most critically injured and ill patients from Kentucky and beyond. UK HealthCare is also home to the state’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer center and the region’s only Level 1 trauma center. 32 n @UKFootball University of Kentucky n The Commonwealth’s Flagship Institution KENTUCKY FOOTBALLLEARN MORE AT UKY.EDU In Every Community. For Every Kentuckian. At the University of Kentucky, we don’t just show up on game day. We show up every day…for farmers, for families, for patients in our hospitals and for students chasing bold dreams. We are advancing agriculture and healthcare, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship and expanding opportunities for Kentuckians so they become healthier, wealthier and wiser. We are the University of, for and with Kentucky. And we’re advancing Kentucky together. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY UNIVERSITYD r. Eli Capilouto became the 12th Pres- ident of the University of Kentucky on July 1, 2011. Under his leadership, the Commonwealth’s flagship and land grant research university has grown from $2.7 billion to $8.6 billion in total operations and has gained significant momentum in ad- vancing Kentucky — the institution’s singu- lar yet multifaceted mission. President Capilouto has led a more than $7.3 billion transformation of the campus, aimed at enriching the living-learning ex- perience of UK’s students, ensuring their success; strengthening the university’s re- search infrastructure dedicated to solving Kentucky’s most intractable health and economic challenges; and expanding UK HealthCare’s capacity to teach, heal and serve. Through partnerships with the pri- vate sector, increased philanthropy and effective financial management, UK is self-financing much of this aggressive in- frastructure development with the purpose of equipping the next generation of leaders who will impact our Commonwealth and world for the better. Under his leadership, the university has experienced historic student suc- cess; enhanced care of our people; unri- valed ingenuity; greater trust, transparen- cy and accountability; and one communi- ty made up of many people. The progress on campus is resulting in a high-quality workforce and improved well-being for the Commonwealth UK has served for more than 160 years — all essential to ad- vancing Kentucky. A native of Montgomery, Alabama, Dr. Capilouto previously served as provost of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and dean of the UAB School of Pub- lic Health — a period of remarkable growth and transformation at one of the leading academic and health sciences institutions in the South. Dr. Capilouto holds several undergraduate and graduate degrees from schools within the University of Alabama system, a Doctorate of Dental Medicine from UAB and a Doctorate in Health Policy and Management from Harvard University. He and his wife, Dr. Mary Lynne Capilouto (D.M.D.), a former Dean of the UAB School of Dentistry, have one daughter. KENTUCKY FOOTBALL Eli Capilouto n President of the University of Kentucky 34 n @UKFootballDRUM ROLL PLEASE… • SAVE $200 OFF THE REGULAR LIFE MEMBERSHIP RATE. • AFFORDABLE MONTHLY OR ANNUAL PAYMENT PLANS. • ACCESS TO EXCLUSIVE PERKS, UK ATHLETICS TICKETS, DISCOUNTS, CAREER SUPPORT AND MORE. • STAY IN TUNE WITH BIG BLUE NATION — FOR LIFE. INTRODUCING THE NEW RECENT GRADUATE* LIFE MEMBERSHIP! Whether you’re the one whose recently turned the tassel or you’re looking for a grad gift that strikes the right chord, this is music to any Wildcat’s ears! *Recent Graduate: those who have completed their first UK degree in the last five years. SAVE $200! A GREAT GIFT FOR GRADS! DON’T MISS THIS SPECIAL GIFT! Join as a New Recent Graduate Life Member by Nov. 30 and receive a limited-edition UK Alumni umbrella — perfect for rain or shine! Be sure to use promo code: WM26AY. Don’t miss your cue — this offer marches away soon! Scan the QR code or visit www.ukalumni.net/membership and join today! N ow in his 24th year as Director of Ath- letics at the University of Kentucky, Mitch Barnhart’s impact spans the past, present, and future of UK Athletics while reaching across the entire landscape of col- lege sports. Massive changes are underway in col- lege athletics, and Barnhart is once again helping lead the way. He is one of 10 athlet- ics directors on the Settlement Implementa- tion Committee, guiding the national rollout of the House case settlement. “Ten years of work in ten months,” he says with a wry grin. This isn’t Barnhart’s first national leader- ship role in tumultuous times. In 2020–21, he chaired the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tour- nament Committee. With the 2020 tourna- ment canceled due to COVID-19, losing another landmark event would have jeop- ardized the NCAA’s primary revenue source and its championship operations across Di- visions I, II, and III. Working with the NCAA staff, Barnhart and his committee reorganized the massive event in just three months. The first-of-its-kind arrangement preserved one of America’s most cherished sporting events and kept the NCAA financially afloat, in addition to providing mil- lions of dollars to participating schools. At Kentucky, Barnhart is also shaping the future. UK Athletics is transitioning to Champions Blue LLC, a new business struc- ture enabling more agile financial opportu- nities. It’s being hailed as a groundbreaking model in college athletics. Barnhart’s 23-plus years at UK make him the second-longest serving AD among Pow- er 4 schools. With Oklahoma’s Joe Castigli- one set to retire, Barnhart will soon become the longest-tenured Power 4 AD. Barnhart has a long history of nation- al service. In addition to his five-year term on the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Committee, he served on the College Foot- ball Playoff Committee—one of only four people to serve as men's basketball chair and also on the football committee. Barnhart’s national influence extends through his “AD tree” – seven former staffers have become Division I athletics directors. Under Barnhart’s leadership, UK Ath- letics placed in the top 20 of the NACDA Directors’ Cup all-sports standings from 2017–23 (excluding 2020). The program’s nine best finishes have all come during his tenure, including a school-record ninth place in 2021–22, driven by a national title in rifle, an NCAA runner-up finish in men’s tennis, and third-place finishes in women’s indoor and outdoor track and field. UK has earned six NCAA championships under Barnhart: men’s basketball (2012), volleyball (2020), and rifle (2011, 2018, 2021, 2022). The Wildcats also have won 60 regular-season and tournament conference titles, including first-time championships in baseball, women’s tennis, men’s golf, STUNT, and women’s swimming and diving. Since 2020, five Wildcats have been named National Athlete of the Year in their sport. Asia Seidt of swimming and diving re- ceived the NCAA Woman of the Year award for her excellence in athletics, academics, and community service. Numerous other Wildcats have earned national honors for their achievements on the field, in the class- room, and in the community. UK athletes have also been recognized as SEC Male and Female Athlete of the Year, SEC Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and SEC Male and Female Community Service Leaders of the Year. On the international stage, UK athletes made a major impact at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Eleven Wildcats earned 13 med- als—including nine golds—tying for third among colleges for most medals won by Team USA athletes. Barnhart’s success has earned him per- sonal accolades. In 2022, he was inducted into the (State of) Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame and received the John L. Toner Award from the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame for excellence in ath- letics administration. These honors add to a growing list of ac- colades, including being named the 2019 Division I AD of the Year by SportsBusiness Journal. Since arriving at UK in 2002, Barnhart has emphasized academic achievement and community engagement. The depart- ment first reached a 3.0 GPA in spring 2010 and has maintained that standard for 26 consecutive semesters. Wildcats con- tribute up to 4,000 hours of community service annually, with outreach extending to Ethiopia, the Dominican Republic, and Panama. Barnhart’s personal life reflects his com- mitment to growth and service. He is an avid mountain climber, has completed tan- dem parachute jumps with the Army Gold- en Knights, participated in mission trips, and serves on the national advisory board of K-Love Radio. A native of Kansas City, Kansas, Barnhart and his wife, Connie, have three children and seven grandchildren. KENTUCKY FOOTBALL Mitch Barnhart n Director of Athletics n University of Kentucky 36 n @UKFootballF rom UK’s first All-American, Clyde John- son, to its most recent, Lynn Bowden Jr. and Max Duffy; from Professor A.M. Miller to Coach Mark Stoops; from old Stoll Field to Commonwealth Stadium to Kroger Field; from the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association to the Southeastern Confer- ence; and with all the ensuing changes, Kentucky football holds a unique and sto- ried tradition that began in 1881. UK football holds a captivating list of firsts: UK was the first Southeastern Confer- ence team to introduce football, which it did in 1881; UK played in the first and only Great Lakes Bowl in 1947, defeating Villanova, 24- 14; Kentucky tackle Bob Gain was awarded the 1950 Outland Trophy, making him the first player from the SEC to claim the honor; Josh Allen was the first UK player to win the National Defensive Player of the Year when he received the Bednarik Award, the Nagur- ski Award and the Lott Trophy in 2018; the Wildcats’ Nat Northington was the first Af- rican-American player to sign with a South- eastern Conference institution and the first to play in a league contest – vs. Ole Miss in 1967, and in 1969 Wilbur Hackett became the first African-American captain for any SEC team. Then, in 1989, UK became the first SEC school to win the coveted College Football Association Academic Achieve- ment Award for highest graduation rate. In 130 seasons, Kentucky has participat- ed in 1,305 contests. UK football has won one national championship, two Southeast- ern Conference championships and ap- peared in 20 bowls. UK football has had 17 National Football League first-round draft choices, one Bed- narik Trophy winner, one Nagurski Trophy winner, one Lott Trophy winner, one Outland Trophy winner, one Hornung Award winner, one Ray Guy Award winner, one Wuerffel Trophy winner, 29 first-team All-Americans (selected 33 times), 20 Academic All-Amer- icans (selected 25 times), 86 first-team All-SEC players (selected 112 times), 700 Academic All-SEC selections and one SEC Defensive Player of the Year. Kentucky football got its start on Nov. 12, 1881. Kentucky, known in those days as A&M College, Kentucky State College and/or State University of Kentucky, defeated Ken- tucky University by the clumsy score of 7 1/4 to 1. The game of football resembled more of a rugby form and the scoring procedure is still unclear. Though football came to Ken- tucky in 1881, it quickly vanished after the three-game season. UK finished 1-2 in the inaugural campaign, but the lid was shut on UK football for the next nine seasons. Football returned to the University of Kentucky in 1891, when UK defeated Georgetown College, 8-2, on April 10, 1891. The sport would not again be interrupted un- til the 1943 season because of World War II. The first known head football coach at Kentucky was Professor A.M. Miller, who the students asked to coach despite his ad- mitted limited knowledge of the game. Mill- er began the 1892 season, then graciously stepped aside later in the year for John A. Thompson, who had more experience with the sport. Some successful years in the early 1900s dot the UK record book. Kentucky finished 7-1 in 1903 under Coach C.A. Wright; 9-1 in 1904 under Coach F.E. Schact; 9-1-1 in 1907 with Coach J. White Guyn, and 9-1 in 1909 under E.R. Sweetland. The greatest UK team of that era was the 1898 squad, known simply to Kentuckians as “The Immortals.” To this day, the Immor- tals remain the only undefeated, untied, and unscored upon team in UK football history. The Immortals were coached by W.R. Bass and ended the year a perfect 7-0-0, despite an average weight of 147 pounds per player. Victories came easily for this squad, as the Immortals raced by Kentucky University (18- 0), Georgetown (28-0), Company H of the 8th Massachusetts (59-0), Louisville Athletic Club (16-0), Centre (6-0), 160th Indiana (17- 0) and Newcastle Athletic Club (36-0). Besides Bass, two of the most success- ful coaches in the early stages of UK football were E.R. Sweetland and Harry Gamage. Sweetland compiled a 23-5 mark in three seasons (1909-10, 12). His best year was 9-1 in ’09. Gamage took the reins of the UK pro- gram in 1927 and remained until following the 1933 campaign. In between, Gamage led the Wildcats to a combined 32-25-5 re- cord. His best season was 6-1-1 in ’29. One of Gamage’s brightest moments came during the 1930 season. During the 57-0 blanking of Maryville, UK running back Shipwreck Kelly rushed for a school-record 280 yards in leading the Cats. More than a decade after Gamage had left UK, a young man by the name of Paul “Bear” Bryant arrived on the scene at Lex- ington in 1946. Bryant quickly grabbed the UK program by the collar and turned the Cats into a national power. Bryant took UK to eight consecutive win- ning seasons (1946-53) and helped the Wild- cats claim their first national championship and Southeastern Conference champion- ship in 1950. He also sent UK squads to four bowl games which included the 1947 Great Lakes Bowl, 1950 Orange Bowl, 1951 Sugar Bowl, and the 1952 Cotton Bowl. The biggest win in UK football history came under Bryant. After leading Kentucky to its first SEC title and a 10-1 regular-sea- son record, UK found itself matched with defending national champion Oklahoma in the 1951 Sugar Bowl. The Wildcats scored early and held off the Sooners, 13-7, break- Walt Yowarsky was named MVP of the 1951 Sugar Bowl. Coach Bear Bryant guided Kentucky to eight consecutive winning seasons and four bowl games from 1946-53. KENTUCKY FOOTBALL 38 n @UKFootball Kentucky TraditionKentucky Mobile contributes to UK every time you pay your bill. Learn more at kentuckymobile.com Support the Wildcats by switching to Kentucky Mobile Introducing the only wireless plan that gives back to the University of Kentucky and UK Athletics. We turn your monthly plan into a powerful show of Kentucky pride. Real Impact Up to 7% of your monthly bill goes directly to University of Kentucky. Exclusive Perks One-of-a-kind game-day perks and experiences. Great Value Fan plans start at just $20/month, with special faculty, staff, and student rates as low as $15/month. Premium Coverage Unlimited talk, text, and data on the T-Mobile 5G network. No Hassle No contracts, no hidden fees. Bring your phone, keep your number or get a new one. Switching is easy.Next >