After nearly three decades of service to the University of Kentucky, Executive Associate Athletics Director for Sports Medicine and Performance Jim Madaleno is set to call it a career.
Madaleno, who has been a cornerstone of UK Athletics since 1997, will officially retire on Monday, August 18. He leaves behind a legacy as the longest-serving head athletic trainer in program history, having guided sports medicine and student-athlete health through a period of major growth and change.
Courtney Jones, the Senior Athletic Trainer for UK women’s basketball and rifle, will succeed him in the role.
Madaleno first arrived in Lexington nearly 30 years ago as head athletics trainer, primarily serving the football program before stepping into broader leadership roles. He climbed the ranks to Director of Sports Medicine in 2004, then transitioned in 2015 to oversee an ever-expanding health and performance division for all Wildcat athletes. By 2018, he was promoted to Executive Associate AD, taking charge of not just training and rehab, but also strength and conditioning, nutrition, sports science, and mental health services.
“Jim Madaleno’s effect on the sports medicine field has reached far beyond our student-athletes, as he has made significant impact on our University, in the Southeastern Conference and nationally,” Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart said in a release. “While his accomplishments are many, and his legacy will have influence for years to come, Jim’s focus always has been the well-being of the student-athletes entrusted to his care.”
Madaleno’s impact stretched well beyond the sidelines. Working alongside UK HealthCare, he was instrumental in launching a master’s program in athletic training that has produced dozens of certified trainers, benefitting both UK and schools across Kentucky. His mentorship tree is extensive, with former students and assistants now holding top athletic trainer jobs across the NFL and SEC — including his son, Ryan, who is Georgia football’s head trainer.
The industry has recognized his leadership plenty of times over the years. In 2018, he earned the SEC Sports Medicine Committee’s Chris Patrick Award, followed by the conference’s Michael L. Slive Distinguished Service Award for his role on the SEC’s COVID-19 medical task force. He also received the inaugural James R. Andrews Award in 2024 for his lifetime dedication to sports medicine in the SEC footprint.
“It’s hard to believe that I’ve served 28 years as the head athletic trainer at Kentucky since it feels like I got here yesterday,” Madaleno said. “The thing I’m going to miss the most is the day-to-day interaction with the young professionals on my staff, along with the student-athletes — not just their injuries, but their life lessons, their concerns, and the personal things that make up their daily lives.”
Madaleno’s career began long before Lexington. A Dearborn, Michigan native, he cut his teeth at Michigan State and Florida State before stops at Valdosta State, the New York Giants — where he was on staff for their 1987 Super Bowl win — and the Hughston Sports Medicine Clinic. He returned to Valdosta in 1989 before officially joining UK in 1997.
Now, fittingly, one of his own mentees will take the reins. Jones, with 24 years of experience in the field including the last 16 at Kentucky, has long been a respected figure across the athletic department. She has worked with women’s basketball since arriving in Lexington, helped lead the rifle program, and overseen health and care initiatives across all women’s sports.
“Our sports medicine and performance program is a vital part of UK Athletics and we are excited for Courtney to handle this role,” Barnhart said. “She has demonstrated consistent excellence in a variety of responsibilities, with professional expertise and personal care for our student-athletes.”
Jones’ background includes stops at Barton College and Northwestern before coming to UK. A Purdue alum with a master’s degree from Kentucky, she also brings added specializations in strength and conditioning and soft tissue therapy.
“I am thrilled with the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of my mentor, Jim Madaleno,” Jones said. “The University of Kentucky is such a special place to me, and I am honored to be able to continue to serve our student-athlete population in this next chapter of my time here.”
