A recent ranking put Kentucky’s Mitch Barnhart among the Southeastern Conference’s worst athletic directors, something that Allison Tamme  — the wife of former UK all-SEC tight end Jacob Tamme — certainly did not agree with.

“Mr. Barnhart is an incredible man of integrity, compassion, heart and intelligence. He invites one of our Swings for Soldiers families into his (football stadium) suite every year with his own family and treats them like they are also,” Tamme said. “ I could write a novel about all of the wonderful things he has done in the 17 years we have known him, but I will stop there.”

Allison and Jacob Tamme have raised over $1 million dollars to build homes for wounded military personnel with Swings for Soldiers, a golf scramble/charity auction that is annually held in July. Barnhart has been a regular participant in the event, as well as a supporter of those the event has helped as Tamme noted.

Allison said COVID-19 has forced plans to be altered for this year’s event.

“Right now we have a tentative date, nothing is set in stone yet pending COVID,” Allison Tamme said. “Hoping to make an announcement soon.”