All articles tagged with #university of kentucky
The University of Kentucky announced the death of Nic 'Happy' Smith, a redshirt freshman defensive lineman from Longville, Georgia. Smith was a sophomore in the Community Leadership and Development program and redshirted last season. UK coach Will Stein expressed heartbreak and said the team will support one another as they honor his memory, with resources available through the Office for Student Success.
UK athletic director Mitch Barnhart has withdrawn from a proposed $950,000-per-year executive role in UK Sport and Workforce Initiative after backlash from Gov. Beshear and others; with his June retirement as athletic director approaching, the university will finalize departure terms funded by private sources.
Mitch Barnhart announced his retirement as UK’s athletic director but will take a new Executive in Residence role for the UK Sports and Workforce Initiative at a $950,000 annual salary through 2030, drawing booster and Governor Beshear scrutiny over duties and governance as a board meeting approaches.
Mitch Barnhart will retire as the University of Kentucky's athletics director on June 30 and will not take the proposed Executive in Residence post for the UK Sports and Workforce Initiative, a position that would have paid about $950,000 annually through 2030 funded by private sources; the plan was officially reversed on Thursday amid criticism from Gov. Beshear and others, with UK President Capilouto saying the focus should stay on students and the Commonwealth.
Former University of Kentucky cheerleader Laken Snelling pleaded not guilty to charges tied to the death of her newborn, including manslaughter, tampering with evidence, concealment of birth, and abuse of a corpse. The infant was born alive and died of asphyxiation; Snelling has been under house arrest since September 2025, with a May 14 pre-trial hearing and a June 12 status hearing scheduled.
A University of Kentucky booster sent a letter to President Eli Capilouto criticizing Mitch Barnhart’s newly created Executive in Residence post for the UK Sports and Workforce Initiative, calling the role inappropriate, costly, and lacking a formal job description, and demanding its reversal. The letter argues the deal could undervalue athletes and smaller programs, raises concerns about governance and transparency, and signals escalating internal backlash within UK leadership and donor circles.
A University of Kentucky athlete, Laken Ashlee Snelling, was charged after police found her dead infant hidden in a closet, leading to allegations of corpse abuse and evidence tampering, with the infant's cause of death pending autopsy results.
Buffalo Bills first-round pick Maxwell Hairston has been sued for sexual assault related to an incident in 2021 at the University of Kentucky, though he was not criminally charged and the team conducted a thorough investigation before drafting him.
Reed Sheppard, a freshman basketball star at the University of Kentucky, has declared for the 2024 NBA Draft after just one season with the Wildcats. Sheppard, expected to be a lottery pick, expressed gratitude for his time at Kentucky and aims to continue representing the school in the NBA. Despite a first-round exit in the NCAA Tournament, Sheppard's impressive performance has garnered attention as he looks forward to the next chapter in his basketball career.
Reed Sheppard, the national freshman of the year at the University of Kentucky, has announced his decision to declare for the NBA Draft, forgoing the remainder of his college eligibility. Despite not starting a game for Kentucky, Sheppard earned national accolades and is projected as a top 8 draft pick. His decision, which was highly anticipated, comes after much consideration and support from his family and fans.
University of Kentucky's new head coach Mark Pope is holding his first news conference after being announced as the successor to former head coach John Calipari, following a highly publicized search for a new coach. Pope, a member of Kentucky's 1996 national championship team, previously served as the head coach at BYU and Utah Valley, and the news conference is streaming live on the UK Athletics website.
New Kentucky Basketball head coach Mark Pope sent a pre-recorded phone call to University of Kentucky students, expressing his love for the school and excitement to lead the program. His introductory press conference will be held on Sunday afternoon, with limited free parking and concession options available at Rupp Arena. Fans can watch the event on SEC Network+ or UKAthletics.com, or listen on KSR affiliates, including 630 WLAP, with a postgame call-in show hosted by Matt Jones.
Former Kentucky swimmers file a federal Title IX lawsuit against the University of Kentucky, alleging that the school and its officials were indifferent to reports of sexual abuse by a former swim coach, allowing him to create a toxic and sexually hostile environment within the program. The lawsuit accuses the coach of committing sexual assaults and violent rapes against young female coaches and athletes, and alleges that the university failed to properly address warnings and reports of the coach's behavior. The plaintiffs seek compensatory and punitive damages, as well as institutional reform.
Former University of Kentucky head swimming coach Lars Jorgensen is accused of sexual assault and harassment by former swimmers and staff members. Allegations include rape, sending explicit photos, and creating a toxic environment within the swim program. Kentucky is accused of complicity and deliberate indifference, with multiple instances of being made aware of Jorgensen's misconduct. Two former team members have filed a lawsuit against Jorgensen, Kentucky, and athletic officials. Jorgensen denies the allegations, and the U.S. Center for SafeSport is investigating.
The University of Kentucky issued a warning after realizing that their campus libraries had been distributing eclipse glasses that were not approved for safe use, prompting a call for students and others to dispose of them immediately. The glasses, made by the company Biniki, falsely claimed approval by the American Astronomical Society. Looking at an eclipse without proper protection can cause solar retinopathy, leading to permanent eye damage, so it's crucial to ensure that eclipse glasses are labeled "ISO 12312-2" and pass a light test before use.