"Thanks also to the hundreds of UK fans, supporters, and friends that have been a part of our lives and helped me to do the very best job I could. You are what made this job and this program special."

-- Larry Ivy, former UK athletics director

March 5, 2002 (Lexington, Ky.) -- It is with heavy heart and mixed emotions that I announce my retirement from the University of Kentucky and my position as Athletics Director. My resignation as Athletics Director is effective immediately.

I have decided to retire for a number of reasons, but most importantly it is just time for me to take a different direction with my life and career. I have devoted more than thirty years, most of my working life, to UK and the Athletics Department. It has truly been a labor of love and I cherish the friendships and the memories.

However, all things must end. While most of my career has been focused on the university, there are other things and other business ventures I would like to pursue. I believe now is the best time to follow those interests. And frankly, while this Athletics Department has experienced tremendous success and played an important role in the university during my time here, given all the circumstances that exist today, I believe it is in the best interest of the department, the university, and certainly my family, for me to retire and move to the next phase of my career. Dorene and I are looking forward to spending more time together and pursuing other business ventures together.

Dorene and I want to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who has supported us over the years and especially during the more recent trying times. We both have a deep love for Kentucky and the university. We are glad to have been a part of it and will continue to "bleed blue." We wish Dr. Todd the best as he leads our university into the future. We wish only the best for Kentucky Athletics. We thank everyone in the UK Athletics Department for the splendid job they do and we will miss working with all of them.

Thanks also to the hundreds of UK fans, supporters, and friends that have been a part of our lives and helped me to do the very best job I could. You are what made this job and this program special.