Leah Barnard
Lexington
Summary
Pursuing a Management and Marketing degree at the University of Kentucky with direct experience in football operations, recruiting, and community impact. Currently serving in an expanded full-time recruiting operations role, coordinating official and unofficial visits, managing recruit communication, and supporting day-to-day logistics for a Division I football program. Passionate about community impact and player development initiatives that strengthen team culture and support athlete growth on and off the field. Detail-oriented, adaptable, and driven to grow into a long-term career in football operations at the collegiate or professional level.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Recruiting Operations Assistant
University of Kentucky Football
03.2026 - Current
- Took on an expanded, full-time recruiting operations role after a staff departure while continuing as a full-time student
- Coordinated official and unofficial visit itineraries, including schedules, meals, transportation, and on-campus logistics
- Worked closely with coaches and support staff to keep visit days organized and running smoothly
- Coordinated all recruiting communication logistics across internal systems and platforms, ensuring accuracy and timely delivery
- Managed recruiting operations tasks including database updates, expense tracking, and organizing visit-related information using Excel
- Served as a point of contact for recruits and families during visits, helping create a welcoming and professional experience
- Assisted with day-to-day recruiting operations and problem-solving in real time to support staff and visitors
Recruiting Student Worker
University of Kentucky Football
08.2023 - Current
- Supported logistics for official and unofficial visits, helping ensure organized and positive experiences
- Maintained recruiting database and tracked prospect information and communications
- Assisted with recruiting events such as junior days, camps, and game-day visits
- Provided administrative support for the recruiting team, managing scheduling, document preparation, and data entry to improve recruiting efficiency by 20%.
- Collaborate with recruiting staff to ensure all NCAA and conference compliance rules are properly executed.
- Served as a point of contact for recruits and families during visits, providing guidance, answering questions, and helping create a welcoming, professional recruiting environment.
Manager/Shift Lead
Firehouse Subs
10.2019 - 12.2024
- Supervised daily operations and trained a 10-person team to maintain performance and a positive work environment.
- Managed scheduling, inventory, and supply orders to support efficient business operations.
- Handled customer concerns, cash deposits, and reconciled $2,000+ in daily transactions with accuracy.
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration - Management & Marketing
University of Kentucky
05-2026
Skills
- Leadership and team management
- Event planning and coordination
- Communication and relationship building
- Operational support and logistics
- Community engagement support
- Multi-tasking in fast-paced environments
- Problem-solving and decision-making
- Data entry and database management
- Positive attitude
- Attention to detail
- Professional and friendly
- MS office
Timeline
Recruiting Operations Assistant
University of Kentucky Football
03.2026 - Current
Recruiting Student Worker
University of Kentucky Football
08.2023 - Current
Manager/Shift Lead
Firehouse Subs
10.2019 - 12.2024
Bachelor of Business Administration - Management & Marketing
University of Kentucky