LEXINGTON, Ky. — University of Kentucky Athletics has received a generous $50,000 donation from Republic Bank that will go toward a baseball facility project.
Among the capital projects UK is considering for its baseball program is a new stadium.
Republic Bank Chairman and CEO Steve Trager, an active supporter of UK Athletics, is a fixture in the community, pledging Republic Bank?s support of the Wildcat baseball program. Through this gift and others, UK will be able to provide a first-class experience for all student-athletes, coaches and fans.
“As the largest Kentucky-owned financial institution, our customers can count on Republic Bank to be there for them, the community and the University of Kentucky for many years to come,? Trager said. ?We are proud and delighted to contribute to the incredible excitement that John Cohen has created around UK baseball”.
On Friday, before No. 17 Kentucky?s series-opener with No. 24 Florida, Trager will be on hand to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
?We are extremely excited to receive support from Republic Bank for the baseball program,? Kentucky head coach John Cohen said. ?One of the keys to competing in the Southeastern Conference is to have support from the community and Republic Bank has stepped to the forefront in support of the baseball program. This gift is a great step forward in our quest to become one of the nation?s elite baseball programs.?
After claiming the most wins in a two-year period in the 103-year history of the program, Kentucky has rolled to another hot start, claiming 28 wins to open 2008 and soaring as high as No. 2 in the nation.
One of the cornerstones of UK?s rise among the college baseball elite is a commitment to the program from the UK Administration, which has necessary steps to ensure that the program has the resources to succeed in the best college baseball conference in collegiate baseball.
?We are grateful for Republic Bank?s donation to the baseball program,? Kentucky athletics director Mitch Barnhart said. ?Republic Bank has been a vital part of the Kentucky athletics community and their support of the baseball program plays an essential role in offering a first-class operation for student-athletes and fans. Coach Cohen has done an amazing job building a program that competes for championships, both at the conference and national levels.?
Republic Bank has 40 banking centers, 34 throughout the state of Kentucky, as well as three in Indiana and three in Florida.
