LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) 鈥� Mitch Barnhart, the longest-serving athletic director in , will retire in June and take on a new role with Kentucky, university President Eli Capilouto announced on Tuesday.
鈥淢itch Barnhart has led University of Kentucky athletics for nearly a quarter-century,鈥� Capilouto said in a statement released by the university. Capilouto said he had 鈥渁 profound mix of emotions鈥� to announce Barnhart’s retirement.
鈥淢itch often speaks of the idea that our goal at UK is for student-athletes to place championship rings on their fingers and diplomas in their hands,” Capilouto said. “Those aren鈥檛 mere words. They are aspirations that he continually has helped our program, our people and our students meet.鈥�
Barnhart, 66, was named Kentucky鈥檚 10th athletic director in 2002, succeeding Larry Ivy. Kentucky won six NCAA championships under Barnhart, including in 2012. Barnhart previously served as athletic director at Oregon State from 1998 to 2002.
Capilouto said Barnhart has agreed to “another new and exciting chapter鈥� as the the first executive-in-residence of the UK Sport and Workforce Initiative.
鈥淚鈥檓 not sure there鈥檚 ever a finish line for leaders,鈥� Barnhart said. 鈥淵ou get to a spot where you finish one job and the next one starts and then the next task and the next task and the next task. At some point you have to say the baton is someone else鈥檚 to carry.
鈥淚鈥檓 so thankful that Dr. Capilouto is providing a 鈥榳hat鈥檚 next鈥� after leaving this position and we can have an impact another way. It will matter to the university, it will matter to our department, it will matter to Kentucky. I鈥檓 super appreciative of this opportunity. My love for this place is overflowing.鈥�
A native of Kansas City, Kansas, Barnhart earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree from Ottawa University in Kansas and a master鈥檚 degree in sports administration from Ohio University.
Barnhart is the second-longest serving athletic director among Power Four schools, behind Oklahoma鈥檚 who plans to retire in 2028 after 27 years.
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