UK’s Kevin Saal Named Director of Athletics at Murray State
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The steadily growing athletics director tree of Mitch Barnhart has added another branch.
Kevin Saal, Executive Associate Director of Athletics at the University of Kentucky, has been named Director of Athletics at Murray State University, becoming the sixth current Division I AD who has worked at UK under Barnhart.
Saal’s new position was confirmed Friday and he begins his new responsibility immediately. He joins Greg Byrne of Alabama, Mississippi State’s John Cohen, Mark Coyle at Minnesota, Oregon’s Rob Mullens, and Scott Stricklin at Florida on the Barnhart AD tree.
“I am very happy for Kevin, (wife) Jennifer, (children) Jacob and Alex for this next step on their journey,” Barnhart said. “Kevin is an amazing, incredibly talented leader with the capacity to make people around him better every day. I’m thankful for what he’s done here and excited that part of our UK family will stay in the Commonwealth of Kentucky as we watch him grow the program at Murray State.
“On a personal note, Connie and I – albeit happy for the Saals and Murray State – will certainly miss them as they have come to be part of our family over the last 12 years.”
Saal has been at UK since 2007, beginning as an Event Coordinator in the Event Management Office. Known for a diligent work ethic and efficiency, he was promoted to Assistant AD, Associate AD and Senior Associate AD. In his final role as Executive Associate AD, Saal has overseen events and championships operations, worked with capital projects and facilities construction, assisted with budgeting and revenue development and been the primary sport administrator for the baseball and men’s soccer teams.
“The opportunity to lead the athletics department at Murray State University would not be possible without the unique and special professional and personal mentoring we’ve received from Mitch and Connie Barnhart, our student-athletes, coaches and staff,” Saal said. “What Mitch and Connie have developed in Lexington goes far beyond facilities, financial resources, rankings or wins/losses. They have created the truest sense of the word ‘family.’ Our goal will be to foster a similar culture while serving Murray State University. Sincere thanks to Mitch and Connie for the opportunity to serve the University of Kentucky.”
Saal began his journey in collegiate athletics administration as an Event Coordinator at Kansas State. He became Director of Operations at Missouri-Kansas City before moving to UK. He is a graduate of Texas Christian University, where he was a member of the swimming and diving team, and completed his master’s degree at the University of Kansas.
