CLIFFORD O. HAGAN
Athetics Director
The University of Kentucky athletic wheels of progress continue to move forward under the direction of Cliff Hagan, who has under his command a total of 16 sports ranging from men's basketball and football in Level I, to women's basketball in Level II, and a baker's dozen sports in Level III.
Hagan has seen and overseen vast improvements in all phases of the UK athletics program since he returned to his alma mater as assistant athletics director in 1972.
One of his first tasks under former athletics director Harry Lancaster was to create and implement the Blue & White Fund for 57,000-seat Commonwealth Stadium and later for 23,000-seat Rupp Arena, which has provided the additional financial support that has moved the athletics program into a first class operation.
Since taking over as athletics director in July, 1975, Hagan has instituted a program highlighted by vast physical improvements, colorful game plans and a pleasing overall presentation of University athletics.
The most recent physical improvements include installation of a new basketball office complex in Memorial Coliseum, expansion of the training facilities and addition of a beautiful players' lounge at Shively Sports Center, new carpeting in the stadium football offices, re-arrangement of the baseball fences and a new surface for the running track and a general facelift to Alumni gymnasium.
Merger of the men's and women's program at UK, begun in July 1978, has been an orderly procedure under Hagan, whose priorities included funding six additional teams and creating new office space and facilities for the women's coaches and administrative staff.
Wildcat athletics have fared well during Hagan's tenure, with the basketball team winning the 1978 national championship, and the football team winning a conference co-championship and the Peach Bowl in 1976 and finishing 10-1 in 1977. The basketball team also annexed an NIT title while the wrestling and rifle teams were winning conference championships and the baseball team a divisional title.
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