Jerry Tipton on UK basketball

Former All-American Mike Pratt has joined UK’s fund-raising effort.

Here’s the UK news release:

Former Kentucky basketball All-American Mike Pratt has joined the University of Kentucky’s Louisville/Jefferson County office as the athletic department’s Director of Major Gifts. UK opened its first full-time office in Louisville/Jefferson County last week, a move that establishes an office in the state’s largest city and economic engine, where many of the Commonwealth’s largest businesses are headquartered and where UK recruits many of its best students.

            “This opportunity couldn’t have come along at a better time for me,” Pratt said. “I look forward to assisting UK Athletics in getting even better exposure in metro Louisville.”

            Pratt, who lettered three years (1968-70) for Adolph Rupp, has spent the last seven years as radio analyst for Wildcat games on the Big Blue Sports Network. He will continue in that role in addition to his new fundraising responsibilities.

            “Mike Pratt is a respected member of the Wildcat Family who has extensive contact throughout Louisville and surrounding areas,” Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart said. “We’re excited about the possibilities Mike brings to our athletic and K Fund development efforts.”

            The UK office in Jefferson County, located at 714 West Main Street in the heart of Louisville’s revitalized arts and business district, houses space for full-time university officials in development, admissions, athletics and IMG College, the school’s sports marketing partner. The offices also provide ample space for alumni, admissions, corporate partnerships and development meetings and events.

            During the university’s recent $1 billion capital campaign, Jefferson County accounted for more than $52 million in gifts from more than 10,000 people. That’s second only to Lexington/Fayette County. Nearly 25,000 UK alumni live in Jefferson County as well as nearly 3,000 current students – roughly 10 percent of the entire student population at the university. Jefferson County is home of many of the state’s best schools and students as well as being the most diverse population in the Commonwealth.