May 26, 2011
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Chris Woolard has been hired as associate athletics director of basketball operations as announced by University of Kentucky Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart on Thursday.
“I’m excited to have Chris on board as a member of our senior staff,” Barnhart said. “He brings a wealth of experience at both the school and conference levels and is a bright star in athletics administration.”
“The University of Kentucky is unique in that you really need someone like Chris who has experience at the highest level to be a part of our men’s basketball program,” UK head coach John Calipari said. “He will be involved with all aspects of our program and will have an active role as a liaison for me personally in regards to our campus and the Commonwealth. We have had a strong working relationship in the past and I look forward to our future at UK.”
Woolard served as associate commissioner for sports services at the Conference USA office since August of 2008, after joining C-USA in July of 2004. In that role his responsibilities focused extensively on men’s basketball as administrator and tournament director for the annual men’s basketball championship.
“Chris is a very talented administrator and has a bright future in intercollegiate athletics,” Conference USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky said. “He will do a great job at Kentucky.”
“I’m grateful to Mitch Barnhart and the University of Kentucky for this opportunity,” Woolard said. “I’ll be able to work with one of the most well respected athletic directors in America, and one of the top basketball coaches and a future hall of famer in John Calipari. Working with C-USA basketball and at Murray State, I realize the passion that Kentucky fans have and I am excited to be a part of the Big Blue Nation. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Britton Banowsky for the opportunities he provided me during my time as associate commissioner at Conference USA.”
Prior to joining Conference USA, Woolard spent a year in private business after working eight years in the college basketball coaching ranks. He was an integral part of a highly successful Murray State men’s basketball team from 1997-2003, serving as an assistant coach.
During Woolard’s time at MSU, the Racers won three conference championships and made three NCAA appearances. At Murray State, he was responsible for recruiting, on-floor coaching, providing detailed opponent scouting reports and administrative duties such as academics, compliance, budget, scheduling, summer camps and team travel.
