The University of Kentucky’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) has announced Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass as its Community Partner of Choice for the upcoming academic year, solidifying a relationship built on service, mentorship, and making a lasting impact in the lives of youth across the region.
This decision represents more than just a partnership. It’s a meaningful alignment between two organizations deeply committed to empowering individuals, fostering leadership, and building stronger communities. For UK SAAC, which represents student-athletes across the university’s 22 varsity teams, service is not just an extracurricular commitment—it’s a core value. Selecting Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass as the featured nonprofit partner signals a strong desire to use that value to enact real change in the lives of local children who benefit from mentorship, guidance, and positive role models.
Throughout the year, UK’s student-athletes will be involved in a variety of hands-on outreach efforts with Big Brothers Big Sisters, ranging from mentoring sessions and school visits to hosting campus events that give young people exposure to higher education and athletics. The goal, according to SAAC representatives, is to develop authentic, sustainable relationships—not only between individual student-athletes and mentees, but between the university and the broader Lexington community.
“We’re thrilled to work with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass,” said a UK SAAC spokesperson. “This is a partnership that aligns perfectly with our mission as student-athletes to lead by example and give back to the community that supports us. We want to be more than athletes—we want to be mentors, friends, and a source of hope for kids who deserve every opportunity to thrive.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass is an affiliate of the national Big Brothers Big Sisters organization, which has provided one-on-one mentoring relationships to youth for over a century. Their local chapter has touched the lives of thousands of children across central Kentucky, pairing “Bigs” and “Littles” in partnerships that can change the trajectory of a young person’s life. These relationships have been proven to increase confidence, improve academic performance, and reduce risky behaviors in mentees, all while instilling a sense of belonging and purpose.
For Big Brothers Big Sisters, the collaboration with UK SAAC represents an opportunity to tap into a pool of dedicated, enthusiastic role models whose influence extends far beyond the playing field. Student-athletes, by virtue of their platform, discipline, and visibility, are uniquely positioned to serve as mentors who can inspire kids to dream bigger, stay focused, and push through adversity.
“Partnering with the UK student-athletes is incredibly powerful for the youth we serve,” said a representative from Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass. “These student-athletes have worked hard to reach the highest levels of both academics and athletics. They embody the kind of perseverance, accountability, and leadership that we want our Littles to see up close. This partnership helps make that possible.”
This isn’t the first time UK’s SAAC has emphasized community service as a pillar of its mission. Each year, the committee selects a nonprofit organization to collaborate with throughout the academic calendar. Past partnerships have included work with organizations focused on health, hunger, education, and youth development. These initiatives typically involve a combination of fundraising efforts, volunteer hours, and community events. The emphasis is always on consistency, visibility, and impact—values that make Big Brothers Big Sisters a natural fit.
The selection process, according to SAAC members, was thoughtful and intentional. It involved presentations from several community organizations, followed by discussions and a committee vote. Big Brothers Big Sisters stood out not only for its long-standing legacy, but also for the clear synergy between its mission and the student-athlete experience.
At the heart of that synergy is the concept of mentorship. Every student-athlete knows what it means to be guided—whether by a coach, a teammate, a parent, or a teacher. Many cite mentors as the reason they were able to reach college athletics in the first place. Now, they have the chance to pay that forward.
“Being a mentor is about showing up for someone, believing in them, and helping them see possibilities they may not have considered,” said one UK student-athlete. “That’s what my mentors did for me. That’s what I want to do for these kids.”
Student-athletes plan to participate in one-on-one and group mentoring events throughout the year, often in collaboration with existing Big Brothers Big Sisters programs. Many will visit local schools, participate in recreational outings, or host Littles for campus experiences—including practices, games, or behind-the-scenes tours of UK athletic facilities. In doing so, they hope to offer a glimpse of life as a college student, an athlete, and most importantly, a mentor who cares.
The benefits of the partnership flow both ways. For student-athletes, volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters offers a chance to grow in empathy, communication, and leadership. It builds connections that transcend the structure of their sports. It reminds them of the power of service, especially when time is limited and stakes are high. For many, the relationship will last far beyond the final whistle of their athletic careers.
“Serving as a Big really opens your eyes,” said another UK athlete. “It helps you step outside of your own experience and see the world through someone else’s. These kids have dreams, fears, questions—just like we do. If we can help guide them, encourage them, and just be there for them, that’s something bigger than sports.”
That perspective resonates with the broader mission of UK Athletics, which has long emphasized the development of well-rounded student-athletes who excel not only in competition, but in academics, service, and leadership. SAAC plays a key role in that development, offering athletes a platform to advocate for themselves, support each other, and lead campus-wide initiatives that reflect their values.
This year, that initiative will take shape in the form of a calendar packed with service events, fundraising drives, and mentorship milestones. From welcome events that introduce Littles to their Bigs, to collaborative efforts with other student groups and community partners, the aim is to create a culture of involvement that elevates everyone involved.
Additionally, the partnership will highlight the importance of diversity, inclusion, and equity—core principles for both UK SAAC and Big Brothers Big Sisters. The organization’s work often centers on serving youth from underserved communities, and the presence of a diverse group of student-athletes as mentors helps reinforce the message that every child deserves to be seen, heard, and supported.
Looking ahead, both organizations hope that the collaboration will extend beyond a single year. The vision is long-term: build a model for university-athlete and nonprofit engagement that can be replicated, expanded, and refined in the years to come. With the right infrastructure and commitment, this partnership could pave the way for deeper, institutionalized service work that becomes a permanent part of the student-athlete journey at Kentucky.
Already, the excitement is palpable. SAAC members are buzzing with ideas, organizing kickoff events, and making plans for how to maximize their impact. Big Brothers Big Sisters is preparing to welcome a wave of new mentors who bring energy, enthusiasm, and a genuine desire to help. For the Littles, this means more opportunities to connect with trusted role models who are committed to showing up and making a difference.
Ultimately, the partnership between UK SAAC and Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass is a story of purpose aligning with potential. It’s about what happens when young leaders decide to use their platform for good, and when a community organization opens its arms to new allies. Together, they’re proving that mentorship isn’t just a concept—it’s a call to action. One that student-athletes across the University of Kentucky are ready to answer with heart, hustle, and a profound belief in the power of giving back.
of Choice for the upcoming academic year, solidifying a relationship built on service, mentorship, and making a lasting impact in the lives of youth across the region.
This decision represents more than just a partnership. It’s a meaningful alignment between two organizations deeply committed to empowering individuals, fostering leadership, and building stronger communities. For UK SAAC, which represents student-athletes across the university’s 22 varsity teams, service is not just an extracurricular commitment—it’s a core value. Selecting Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass as the featured nonprofit partner signals a strong desire to use that value to enact real change in the lives of local children who benefit from mentorship, guidance, and positive role models.
Throughout the year, UK’s student-athletes will be involved in a variety of hands-on outreach efforts with Big Brothers Big Sisters, ranging from mentoring sessions and school visits to hosting campus events that give young people exposure to higher education and athletics. The goal, according to SAAC representatives, is to develop authentic, sustainable relationships—not only between individual student-athletes and mentees, but between the university and the broader Lexington community.
“We’re thrilled to work with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass,” said a UK SAAC spokesperson. “This is a partnership that aligns perfectly with our mission as student-athletes to lead by example and give back to the community that supports us. We want to be more than athletes—we want to be mentors, friends, and a source of hope for kids who deserve every opportunity to thrive.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass is an affiliate of the national Big Brothers Big Sisters organization, which has provided one-on-one mentoring relationships to youth for over a century. Their local chapter has touched the lives of thousands of children across central Kentucky, pairing “Bigs” and “Littles” in partnerships that can change the trajectory of a young person’s life. These relationships have been proven to increase confidence, improve academic performance, and reduce risky behaviors in mentees, all while instilling a sense of belonging and purpose.
For Big Brothers Big Sisters, the collaboration with UK SAAC represents an opportunity to tap into a pool of dedicated, enthusiastic role models whose influence extends far beyond the playing field. Student-athletes, by virtue of their platform, discipline, and visibility, are uniquely positioned to serve as mentors who can inspire kids to dream bigger, stay focused, and push through adversity.
“Partnering with the UK student-athletes is incredibly powerful for the youth we serve,” said a representative from Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass. “These student-athletes have worked hard to reach the highest levels of both academics and athletics. They embody the kind of perseverance, accountability, and leadership that we want our Littles to see up close. This partnership helps make that possible.”
This isn’t the first time UK’s SAAC has emphasized community service as a pillar of its mission. Each year, the committee selects a nonprofit organization to collaborate with throughout the academic calendar. Past partnerships have included work with organizations focused on health, hunger, education, and youth development. These initiatives typically involve a combination of fundraising efforts, volunteer hours, and community events. The emphasis is always on consistency, visibility, and impact—values that make Big Brothers Big Sisters a natural fit.
The selection process, according to SAAC members, was thoughtful and intentional. It involved presentations from several community organizations, followed by discussions and a committee vote. Big Brothers Big Sisters stood out not only for its long-standing legacy, but also for the clear synergy between its mission and the student-athlete experience.
At the heart of that synergy is the concept of mentorship. Every student-athlete knows what it means to be guided—whether by a coach, a teammate, a parent, or a teacher. Many cite mentors as the reason they were able to reach college athletics in the first place. Now, they have the chance to pay that forward.
“Being a mentor is about showing up for someone, believing in them, and helping them see possibilities they may not have considered,” said one UK student-athlete. “That’s what my mentors did for me. That’s what I want to do for these kids.”
Student-athletes plan to participate in one-on-one and group mentoring events throughout the year, often in collaboration with existing Big Brothers Big Sisters programs. Many will visit local schools, participate in recreational outings, or host Littles for campus experiences—including practices, games, or behind-the-scenes tours of UK athletic facilities. In doing so, they hope to offer a glimpse of life as a college student, an athlete, and most importantly, a mentor who cares.
The benefits of the partnership flow both ways. For student-athletes, volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters offers a chance to grow in empathy, communication, and leadership. It builds connections that transcend the structure of their sports. It reminds them of the power of service, especially when time is limited and stakes are high. For many, the relationship will last far beyond the final whistle of their athletic careers.
“Serving as a Big really opens your eyes,” said another UK athlete. “It helps you step outside of your own experience and see the world through someone else’s. These kids have dreams, fears, questions—just like we do. If we can help guide them, encourage them, and just be there for them, that’s something bigger than sports.”
That perspective resonates with the broader mission of UK Athletics, which has long emphasized the development of well-rounded student-athletes who excel not only in competition, but in academics, service, and leadership. SAAC plays a key role in that development, offering athletes a platform to advocate for themselves, support each other, and lead campus-wide initiatives that reflect their values.
This year, that initiative will take shape in the form of a calendar packed with service events, fundraising drives, and mentorship milestones. From welcome events that introduce Littles to their Bigs, to collaborative efforts with other student groups and community partners, the aim is to create a culture of involvement that elevates everyone involved.
Additionally, the partnership will highlight the importance of diversity, inclusion, and equity—core principles for both UK SAAC and Big Brothers Big Sisters. The organization’s work often centers on serving youth from underserved communities, and the presence of a diverse group of student-athletes as mentors helps reinforce the message that every child deserves to be seen, heard, and supported.
Looking ahead, both organizations hope that the collaboration will extend beyond a single year. The vision is long-term: build a model for university-athlete and nonprofit engagement that can be replicated, expanded, and refined in the years to come. With the right infrastructure and commitment, this partnership could pave the way for deeper, institutionalized service work that becomes a permanent part of the student-athlete journey at Kentucky.
Already, the excitement is palpable. SAAC members are buzzing with ideas, organizing kickoff events, and making plans for how to maximize their impact. Big Brothers Big Sisters is preparing to welcome a wave of new mentors who bring energy, enthusiasm, and a genuine desire to help. For the Littles, this means more opportunities to connect with trusted role models who are committed to showing up and making a difference.
Ultimately, the partnership between UK SAAC and Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass is a story of purpose aligning with potential. It’s about what happens when young leaders decide to use their platform for good, and when a community organization opens its arms to new allies. Together, they’re proving that mentorship isn’t just a concept—it’s a call to action. One that student-athletes across the University of Kentucky are ready to answer with heart, hustle, and a profound belief in the power of giving back.