< Previous108 @UKFootball D r. Eli Capilouto became the 12th Presi- dent of the University of Kentucky July 1, 2011. Under his leadership, Kentucky’s flag- ship and land grant research university has re-imagined what’s possible as the state’s most important institution for growth in ed- ucation, health care and economic and so- cial advances. In less than a decade, UK has grown from $2.7 billion to $5.1 billion in total operations, fueled by sustained and sig- nificant momentum in its missions of teach- ing, research, service and health care. One example of that growth—and re-imagination of what is possible for a pub- lic university—has been a more than $2.8 billion transformation of the campus, aimed squarely at expanding UK’s education, re- search, service and health care missions. Specifically, through partnerships with the private sector, increased philanthropy and effective financial management, UK is self-fi- nancing the vast majority of this aggressive development. Over the last ten years, the University has opened: n The $265 million Healthy Kentucky Re- search Building; n The $201 million Bill Gatton Student Center; n The $112 Jacobs Science Building (fi- nanced, in large part, through a $65 million partnership with UK Athletics); n The $65 million renovated and ex- panded Gatton College of Business and Eco- nomics building; n 20 new dining facilities; n 14 new residence halls, funded entire- ly with private equity; n A new $15 million home for the School of Art and Visual Studies; n A $126 million revitalized Kroger Field (funded solely by Athletics revenue); n Nearly $550 million since 2011 in the continued construction and fit-out of the new Chandler Hospital; and n A $56 million renovation and expan- sion of the J. David Rosenberg College of Law. This re-imagination and innovation of the campus has resulted in: n Continued growth in students to a re- cord level of more than 30,000 — central to our goal of fueling Kentucky’s future work- force needs; n Record retention and graduation rates, boosted by increases in the last five years alone of more than 5 percent; n Conferring more than 7,000 under- graduate, graduate and professional degrees in the last academic year, reflective of a re- cord graduation rate; n A commitment to our state’s health needs, with UK HealthCare treating more than 40,000 patients and being named the No. 1 hospital system in Kentucky for five consecutive years; n Continued acceleration of our research efforts with growth in research and contracts to $429.2 million in FY20 — much of it fo- cused on Kentucky’s most intractable chal- lenges, from opioid use disorders to cancer, heart disease and our country’s energy fu- ture; n A historic investment of $10 million to conduct research into racial inequities and inequality in health, justice, education and society and an investment of seed money to launch the multi-disciplinary Common- wealth Institute of Black Studies; n Remaining in a strong financial posi- tion, reflected by a strong and stable bond rating; and n Negotiating a transformative part- nership with the city of Lexington that will strengthen economic development, improve career prospects for our graduates and pro- vide better pedestrian safety. The progress on the campus is helping ensure an outstanding workforce for Ken- tucky, with dramatic increases in the num- ber of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) degrees. More than 77 percent of all UK graduates stay in Kentucky, with average earnings of more than 25 percent above the national average. UK is Kentucky’s indispensable econom- ic partner, with dozens of partnerships to provide research expertise to private busi- ness owners and internship opportunities for UK students; spending $5.5 billion with Ken- tucky companies since 2011; owning more than 600 patent assets; and employing more than 13,500 people, who pay more than $100 million in state and local taxes. A native of Montgomery, Alabama, Dr. Capilouto previously served as provost of the University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB) and dean of the UAB School of Pub- lic Health -- a period of remarkable growth and transformation at one of the leading aca- demic and health sciences institutions in the South. Dr. Capilouto holds several under- graduate and graduate degrees from schools within the University of Alabama system, a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (D.M.D.) 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. Eli Capilouto n President of the University of KentuckyWildly Possible Wildly Possible Now accepting applications for Fall 2022. applyuk.com There are moments when doors of opportunity open. Moments when barriers are broken. Moments when you are called to provide hope for someone in need. Moments when you harness something deep within you that you didn’t know existed. Moments when you’re drawn to a cause greater than yourself. Moments when champions are born. These are the moments when nothing else matters. Moments made possible at the University of Kentucky. This is who we are. This is what we do. WE ARE WHAT’S110 @UKFootball E ntering his 20th year as Director of Athletics at the University of Kentucky, Mitch Barnhart continues to add to his ac- complishments as one of the foremost lead- ers in collegiate athletics. The 2019 AD of the Year as selected by the SportsBusiness Journal, Barnhart’s acu- men was put to its strongest test in 2020- 21. As if it were not enough to guide UK through the severe challenges in health care, competition and finances caused by Covid-19, Barnhart also was Chair of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Committee, a task which required him to take a lead role in re-creating and executing the organiza- tion’s most prominent event in the midst of a pandemic. And, as he has done so often during his two decades at Kentucky, Barnhart rose to the occasion by drawing upon his wisdom, experience and – most of all – his steadfast dedication. Working alongside the NCAA staff, in the span of only two months, Barnhart and the tournament committee scrapped the time-tested format and invented a new pro- cedure by bringing all 68 teams to one lo- cation and supporting them with numerous health and safety protocols. As a result, all but one of the scheduled games was played and the mission was completed when Barn- hart handed the championship trophy to the victorious Baylor Bears. Meanwhile in Lexington, with assistance from the Southeastern Conference, UK HealthCare, and state and local officials, Barnhart kept the Wildcats on the prowl en route to one of the most successful years in UK Athletics history. The Kentucky football team was able to play all of its scheduled games and topped the campaign with a fifth-straight postsea- son appearance, and third-consecutive bowl victory, with a win over No. 23 North Carolina State in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. In February, the women’s swimming and diving team won its first SEC championship. A month later, UK rifle claimed its third NCAA championship. That was followed by another national crown, as the volleyball squad earned the NCAA title, the first by an SEC school in that sport. All totaled, UK finished 12th among 358 Division I teams in the 2021 Directors’ Cup national all-sports standings, the third-best finish in school history, the fourth year in a row in the top 20, and ninth in a row in the top 30. The national championships give UK a total of five during Barnhart’s term, joining men’s basketball in 2012 and rifle in 2011 and ’18. The growth of UK Athletics began earn- ing national recognition for Barnhart in 2015, when he was named one of four Di- vision I Athletics Directors of the Year by NACDA. He also was one of four finalists for 2015 Athletics Director of the Year as chosen by the SportsBusiness Journal and he received the Sports Business Award from the Bluegrass Sports Commission that year. Four years after his first nomination by the SportsBusiness Journal, Barnhart was named 2019 Athletic Director of the Year, but he has always been more interested in the achievements of UK student-athletes than his own. On that count, UK has had plenty to celebrate. In the last year alone, Mary Tucker (rifle) Madison Lilley (volleyball) and Liam Draxl (men’s tennis) were named National Athlete of the Year in their sports. In addition, Lilley was voted SEC Female Athlete of the Year, covering all sports. Asia Seidt of swimming was named the NCAA Woman of the Year for her combination of academic and athlet- ic accomplishments. A school-record total of 20 Wildcat athletes and coaches partici- pated in the Tokyo Olympics, including sev- eral medalists. Off-the-field performance also is im- portant to Barnhart. As a group, UK stu- dent-athletes have a achieved a 3.0 grade- point average for 18 consecutive semesters. Community service has risen to more than 4,000 hours annually and includes outreach to the Lexington area, the Commonwealth of Kentucky and as far away as Ethiopia, the Dominican Republic and Panama. Stu- dent-athletes are prepared for life after UK through “The Kentucky Road” program, equipping them with professional skills and helping them identify and pursue internship and work opportunities while continuing to provide the academic support that has made UK Athletics a national trendsetter. A steadfast believer in the transforma- tional power of college athletics, Barnhart is influential on the national level. Already having served on numerous committees and boards for the NCAA and the National As- sociation of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), including his five-year term on the Men’s Basketball Tournament Commit- tee, he will stay on the national stage as a new member of the College Football Playoff Committee. Barnhart is a native of Kansas City, Kansas. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Ottawa University (Kansas) in 1981 and a master’s in sports administration from Ohio University. Barnhart and his wife, Connie, have three children and four grandchildren. Mitch Barnhart n Athletics Director of the University of Kentucky@UKSportsNetwork 111 Kroger Field First Game n Sept. 15, 1973 (UK 31, Virginia Tech 26) Largest Crowd Since 2015 Renovation n 63,543, 2018 (UK 17, Georgia 34) Kroger Field Record n 171-137 (.555), 35-21 (.625) under Mark Stoops Field Name n C.M. Newton Grounds in honor of the former UK Director of Athletics Seating Capacity n 61,000, including the Kroger Field Suites. n UK announced its first sellout since 2010 when 62,933 fans attended the season opener vs. Louisiana Lafayette on Sept. 5, 2015. Attendance n Since the 1999 expansion, UK has averaged 60,261 fans per game and ranked in the nation’s top 30 teams in attendance in 16 of the last 18 seasons. Both the single game and season attendance record has been broken in recent years. *Note: Kroger Field capacity was limited to 12,000 fans per game in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions Playing Field n UK switched from natural grass to synthetic turf for the 2015 season. Other SEC schools with a turf surface are: Arkansas, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Missouri. n The end zones and team sideline areas feature a checkerboard pattern in alternating shades of blue. It was designed to mimic the pattern of Secretariat’s silks, which has been part of the football uniforms for five seasons. The school’s new interlocking “UK” logo is positioned in the center of the field. Video Boards n Video boards by Daktronics measuring at 39 by 79 feet, each, bring a total of 6,162 square feet of video capability. The video boards put UK among the nation’s leaders in video square footage. The interior seating bowl also has LED ribbon boards. Sound System n Sportsound system delivers pounding bass energy, smooth mid- and high-range frequencies, and high-impact entertainment. Components of the sound system include a main speaker cluster behind the end zone, under-balcony speakers and concourse speakers. 1. 63,543 Georgia 2018 2. 63,407 Auburn 2015 3. 63,380 EKU 2015 4. 63,081 South Carolina 2018 5. 63,076 Florida 2019 * Since 2015 Renovation 1973 When first constructed in 1973 as Commonwealth Stadium, Kroger Field had a capacity of 57,800 and was completed at a cost of $12 million by the firm of Huber, Hunt and Nichols. The stadium and parking areas rest on an 86-acre plot that was once part of the UK Experimental Station Farm Grounds. The stadium was officially opened on Sept. 15, 1973, as the Wildcats moved into their new home after spending 48 years at Stoll Field/McLean Stadium across from Memorial Coliseum. Kentucky defeated Virginia Tech in the stadium opener, 31-26, as quarterback Ernie Lewis ran for two touchdowns and threw for another TD to lead the Wildcats. 1999 The stadium was expanded in 1999. Both end zones were enclosed, along with the construction of 40 suites, 10 in each corner of the stadium. The project was handled by HNTB of Kansas City, Mo., and Turner Construction of Cincinnati, Ohio. A total of $27.6 million was allocated for the expansion, which also included the original Mitsubishi Diamond Vision video boards, new scoreboards and additional restrooms and concession stands. The attendance capacity was 67,942 in 2012. 2015 Kroger Field was transformed into a state-of-the-art facility after a $120-million reinvention which was completed prior to the 2015 season. The project was also handled by HNTB. The outside of the stadium underwent a dramatic external facelift, receiving a modern look, but one that remained uniquely Kentucky. Inside, the capacity of Kroger Field was reduced over the course of the two-year project to approximately 61,000, but the value of all remaining seats were increased, from the top of the upper deck to front-row seats at midfield. Concourses were revamped and widened throughout the stadium with improved concessions, restrooms and security. Players and coaches reaped the benefits of the new Kroger Field as well, as home-team facilities were built, while a new multi-purpose recruiting room hosts future Wildcats on their on-campus visits. Kroger Field Quick Facts Top Home Attendances112 @UKFootball Kroger Field KENTUCKY FOOTBALL ATTENDANCE IN KROGER FIELD Former Kentucky linebacker Terry Clayton, who is deaf, could not hear the roar of the crowd at Kroger Field. “But,” Clayton said, “I can feel the rumble!” Year ..............G ..................Total ......Avg./Game 1973.............5 .............250,055 .............50,011 1974.............6 .............328,785 .............54,797 1975.............6 .............341,204 .............56,867 1976.............7 .............393,483 .............56,211 1977.............5 .............288,990 .............57,798 1978.............6 .............346,341 .............57,723 1979.............5 .............289,042 .............57,808 1980.............7 .............392,898 .............56,128 1981.............6 .............334,837 .............55,809 1982.............6 .............329,207 .............54,867 1983.............7 .............395,365 .............56,480 1984.............7 .............387,959 .............55,422 1985.............7 .............398,788 .............56,969 1986.............7 .............384,802 .............54,971 1987.............6 .............331,923 .............55,321 1988.............7 .............337,972 .............48,292 1989.............7 .............374,248 .............53,464 1990.............6 .............332,840 .............55,473 Year ..............G ..................Total ......Avg./Game 1991.............6 .............327,250 .............54,542 1992.............6 .............324,875 .............54,146 1993.............6 .............318,178 .............53,030 1994.............7 .............352,012 .............50,287 1995.............6 .............299,772 .............49,446 1996.............6 .............243,884 .............40,647 1997.............6 .............354,662 .............59,110 1998.............6 .............346,422 .............57,737 1999.............6 .............406,536 .............67,756 2000.............6 .............392,772 .............65,462 2001.............6 .............380,881 .............63,480 2002.............7 .............449,084 .............64,155 2003.............7 .............454,457 .............64,922 2004.............6 .............374,002 .............62,334 2005.............6 .............374,697 .............62,450 2006.............7 .............401,307 .............57,330 2007.............8 .............550,588 .............68,824 2008.............7 .............486,038 .............69,434 Year ..............G ..................Total ......Avg./Game 2009.............7 .............487,156 .............69,594 2010.............7 .............462,488 .............66,070 2011.............7 .............420,052 .............60,007 2012.............7 .............347,838 .............49,691 2013.............7 .............416,303 .............59,472 2014.............7 .............403,002 .............57,571 2015.............8 .............490,361 .............61,295 2016.............7 .............370,500 .............58,038 2017.............7 .............395,276 .............56,468 2018.............7 .............385,820 .............55,117 2019.............8 .............425,023 .............53,128 2020* ...........5 ...............60,000 .............12,000 Total ...........312 ......17,776,258 .............56,975 Since 1999 .150 ........9,039,181 .............60,261 (Note: stadium was expanded in 1999) * Kroger Field capacity was limited to 12,000 in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictionsBig Blue Nation doesn’t back down from a challenge. 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