1 - University of Kentucky Athletics

Academic Priority
Ohio Casualty Center for Academic and Tutorial Services (CATS)
The University of Kentucky has made a commitment
to put the student-athlete at the
heart of the program.
The cornerstone of that commitment lies in
the academic success of the University’s studentathletes.
And at UK, that success stems from the
resources within the Ohio Casualty Group’s Center
for Academic and Tutorial Services (CATS).
“We have the best academic center in the
nation,” UK Coach Matthew Mitchell said. “The
thing I love about CATS is that we have dedicated
people who care about the athletes as people and
care about their well being. When you have that
kind of dedication and that matches up with the
strong work-ethic that people have in CATS then
special things happen. We have countless numbers
of success stories not only in women’s basketball,
but athletics department-wide of how CATS has
Last season, the Wildcats led the nation in current players who earned a bachelor’s degree as
three members of the 2006-07 UK Hoops team graduated (from left) prior to their senior season:
Nastassia Alcius, Jennifer Humphrey and Jenny Pfeiffer.
helped our athletes plan for the future and be successful.”
As a former high school teacher, Mitchell
understands the commitment the Center makes to
each of his basketball players. He received his bachelor’s
degree in marketing from Mississippi State.
“For women’s basketball players, academics is
crucial because there’s no pot of gold at the end of
their athletic rainbow,” Mitchell said. “Some of
our players can move on and make a very nice living
and see some different parts of the world by
playing professionally, but nobody’s going to
become set financially. That makes it unique for
women’s college basketball in that our students
really have to focus on their academics and they
have to make themselves valuable academically.
It’s the ticket to a successful financial future.”
In the last four seasons,
100 percent of the players
completing their eligibility
(13) also left
with their degree.
19 • 2007-08 Women’s Basketball
The center was constructed in 1981 as the first
academic support unit in college athletics. Its mission
was simple — to enhance the student-athletes’
academic standing, to assist them in meeting
their degree requirements and to prepare them for
life after college.
The $2.4 million facility, which operates on a
$1.5 million annual budget, is located in Memorial
Coliseum and was dedicated on Sept. 18, 1998.
It includes:
• 20,000 square feet of space, more than double
the size of the former facility;
• a computer room housing 35 computers;
• a study area which accommodates 90-100
people;
• 24 tutoring rooms;
• a career development and life skills
resource center;
• headquarters for a community outreach
program;
• offices for an ever-growing staff.
The full-time staff of 11 includes
Bob Bradley, Associate Athletics Director for Student
Services; Barb Deniston, director of academic
services; Mike Haley, director of advising
services; four academic counselors; a life skills
coordinator, two staff associates. CATS also
employs seven graduate assistants and numerous
tutors, both from the University and the surrounding
community. UK has budgeted more