Jim Host

Biography

Jim Host formed Host Communications in 1971, which, over a period of years, handled all sports media rights for the University of Kentucky and other schools, including Notre Dame, Michigan, Texas, Florida State and Alabama. Host Communications was the exclusive media rights holder for everything except television for the NCAA from 1976 to 2003.

Host served two terms as a cabinet head in the Kentucky state government. He served as commissioner of public information and Parks from 1967 to 1971 and as secretary of commerce from 2003 to 2006.

Host also recently published a book through the University Press of Kentucky called “Changing the Game, The History of College Sports Marketing”.

He has been named to several awards, including the UK Athletics Hall of Fame, the UK Alumni Hall of Leaders and the College Basketball Hall of Fame. Host has served as a member of the board or as an executive committee member of 74 civic groups or associations, serving as chairman or president for 18 of those groups.

In 1959, Host graduated with a degree in Radio Arts when it was part of the College of Arts and Sciences.