Last week, I wrote an article stating that Kentucky AD Mitch Barnhart had announced on his Twitter a new contract would be given to softball coach Rachel Lawson.
Today in a press conference, the announcement was made official that Lawson signed the contract extension. Coach Lawson was given a new five-year contract worth a total of $727,500 and an opportunity for performance-based incentives.
Here is what Barnhart had to say about Lawson during the press conference ([URL=”http://www.ukathletics.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/061311aaa.html”]Source[/URL]):
[QUOTE]We are excited that Rachel will be a part of the Wildcat family for many years to come. She has done a remarkable job in building our softball program and creating a foundation for a successful future at the University of Kentucky.[/QUOTE]Lawson, who has led the UK softball team to school record 40-win season, three straight NCAA Tournament berths, and the school’s first Super Regional appearance this year, had to say this about receiving the extension:
[QUOTE]I want to thank UK and specifically Mitch Barnhart for providing me the opportunity to extend my career in a profession that I love at an incredible university. I also want to thank my coaching staff, my athletes and all of the other staff members that work daily with softball and who have created a winning mindset within the softball program.
Finally, I would like to thank all the men and women who work at UK and all the fans who came out and have supported the Wildcats in many ways throughout our program’s tenure and during Super Regionals. To see the massive amount of work that was put in to make the Supers a reality in Lexington and then to witness the fan support over the weekend was a highlight in my athletes’ lives and a moment I will never forget. I truly believe it is the people who create a winning tradition and because of this, I feel good about the future of the University of Kentucky softball program.[/QUOTE]It appears that our softball program will be in great hands for many years to come!
