University of Kentucky celebrates Mitch Barnhart’s 24-year leadership of UK Athletics

LEXINGTON, KY. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Mitch Barnhart is being honored by the University of Kentucky Athletics community as he celebrates the conclusion of his 24-year tenure as athletics director.

During his time leading the program, UK athletics saw significant growth and national success across several sports.

Barnhart reflected on his decades-long career in college athletics and the relationships he built along the way.

“What we do in college athletics, it is about relationships and it is about special, special people,” Barnhart said. “When you’ve been in it four and a half decades like I have been, those relationships are incredibly beautiful, and I’m thankful for that.”

Although stepping down from his role as athletics director, Barnhart will continue working with the university in a new position as Executive in Residence for the UK Sports and Workforce Initiative.