What Does UK Athletics Do?

Total employees350
HeadquartersLexington
Founded1865

UK Athletics is the intercollegiate athletics department of the University of Kentucky (UK), a public land-grant research university in Lexington, Kentucky. Competing in the highly competitive Southeastern Conference (SEC) and NCAA Division I, the 'Wildcats' field 22 varsity sports programs. UK Athletics is renowned for its rich history of athletic success, particularly its dominant men's basketball program, and is committed to fostering academic achievement among its student-athletes, ensuring NCAA compliance, and engaging with the broader 'Big Blue Nation' (BBN) community. The department strives for comprehensive excellence, supporting student-athletes in their athletic, academic, and personal development.

Where Is UK Athletics's Headquarters?

UK Athletics officeUK Athletics officeUK Athletics officeUK Athletics office
*Images sourced via web search. Rights belong to original owners

HQ Function

Serves as the central administrative hub for all 22 intercollegiate athletic programs, managing operations, compliance, student-athlete academic services, marketing and promotions, fundraising (K Fund), media relations, and overall strategic direction for the University of Kentucky Wildcats.

Notable Features:

The Joe Craft Center features state-of-the-art practice facilities for men's and women's basketball, a modern strength and conditioning center, sports medicine facilities, the Center for Academic and Tutorial Services (CATS), administrative offices, and is connected to the historic Memorial Coliseum.

Work Culture:

A high-energy, results-oriented environment driven by the pursuit of excellence in collegiate athletics and academics. The culture emphasizes teamwork, dedication, strong work ethic, and a deep sense of pride in the University of Kentucky and its traditions. Collaboration between coaches, staff, and student-athletes is key.

HQ Significance:

The headquarters is pivotal for the strategic management and operational success of one of the nation's prominent NCAA Division I athletic programs. It supports over 500 student-athletes and plays a significant role in the university's brand, community engagement, and regional economic impact.

Values Reflected in HQ: The facility and its operations reflect UK Athletics' core values: student-athlete well-being and success (academic and athletic), integrity, passion, a pursuit of excellence, and a commitment to the Big Blue Nation.

Location:

While UK Athletics is primarily based on the University of Kentucky campus in Lexington, its influence and operations are national and extend internationally. The Wildcats compete across the United States in NCAA Division I and SEC events. The department actively recruits top student-athletes globally, contributing to a diverse international student body. The UK Athletics brand is recognized by a vast network of alumni, fans (Big Blue Nation), and media partners worldwide, supported by national television broadcasts and digital engagement.

Street Address:

Joe Craft Center, 338 Lexington Ave

City:

Lexington

State/Province:

Kentucky

Country:

USA

Where Else Does UK Athletics Operate Around the World?

No additional office locations available.

Buying Intent Signals for UK Athletics

Highperformr Signals uncover buying intent and give you clear insights to target the right accounts at the right time — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams close more deals, faster.

Notable news
Hiring actively
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
*Example signal, not calculated in real time

Who's Leading UK Athletics? Meet the Executive Team

As of April 2025, UK Athletics' leadership includes:

Mitch Barnhart - Director of Athletics
Marc Hill - Executive Associate Athletics Director / Chief Athletics Operations Officer
Sandy Bell - Executive Associate Athletics Director / SWA / Chief Revenue Officer
Jason Schlafer - Executive Associate Athletics Director / Chief of Staff & Administration
Rachel Baker - Executive Associate Athletics Director / Chief Creative Content Officer

Who's Investing in UK Athletics?

UK Athletics has been backed by several prominent investors over the years, including:

University of Kentucky General Fund
K Fund (Official Philanthropic Arm)
Southeastern Conference (SEC) Revenue Distributions
NCAA Revenue Distributions
Ticket Sales
Corporate Sponsorships and Partnerships
Media Rights Agreements
Licensing and Merchandising

What Leadership Changes Has UK Athletics Seen Recently?

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Exits0

In May 2024, UK Athletics announced a series of key internal promotions and title changes within its senior administrative team. These adjustments aimed to further streamline operations, enhance strategic focus areas such as revenue generation and content creation, and recognize the contributions of long-serving staff members. No major external executive hires or high-profile departures have been publicly announced in the past 12 months.

New Appointments:

Marc Hill, Marc Hill promoted to Executive Associate Athletics Director / Chief Athletics Operations Officer.
Sandy Bell, Sandy Bell promoted to Executive Associate Athletics Director / SWA / Chief Revenue Officer.
Jason Schlafer, Jason Schlafer promoted to Executive Associate Athletics Director / Chief of Staff & Administration.
Rachel Baker, Rachel Baker promoted to Executive Associate Athletics Director / Chief Creative Content Officer.

What Technology (Tech Stack) Is Used byUK Athletics?

Discover the tools UK Athletics uses. Highperformr reveals the technologies powering your target accounts — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams prioritize smarter and close faster.

UK Athletics Email Formats and Examples

UK Athletics, as part of the University of Kentucky, primarily utilizes the university's standard email system. The most common format for staff and faculty, including athletics personnel, is based on their first and last names.

[first].[last]@uky.edu

Format

firstname.lastname@uky.edu

Example

85%

Success rate

What's the Latest News About UK Athletics?

ukathletics.com • May 30, 2024

UK Athletics News: Kentucky Softball Places Four on CSC Academic All-District Team

Four members of the Kentucky softball team – Lauryn Borzilleri, Grace Lorsung, Margaret Tobias and Vanessa Nesby – have been named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team, recognizing their combined performances on the diamond and in the classroom....more

ukathletics.com • May 29, 2024

UK Athletics News: UK Signs Guard Trent Hardin Jr. to Men’s Basketball Roster

The Kentucky men’s basketball program has signed guard Trent Hardin Jr., head coach Mark Pope announced. Hardin Jr., a transfer from TCU, becomes the 11th player to join the Wildcats’ 2024-25 roster, bringing valuable experience and skill to the backcourt....more

ukathletics.com • May 2, 2024

UK Athletics News: Barnhart Announces Promotions, Title Changes in UK Athletics Administration

University of Kentucky Director of Athletics Mitch Barnhart announced a series of promotions and title changes within the athletics administration, effective immediately. The changes involve several key areas and personnel, including Marc Hill, Sandy Bell, Jason Schlafer, and Rachel Baker, aimed at enhancing departmental efficiency and strategic focus....more

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