Cliff Hagan, UK athletics legend known as a Wildcat figure, dies at 94

Cliff Hagan, described by WLKY as a University of Kentucky athletics legend and “Wildcat” figure, has died at age 94, the outlet reported on Oct. 16, 2026. The report did not include additional biographical details in the information provided for this write-up, but it said the loss is being met with widespread mourning from the UK sports community.

Hagan’s death was announced through coverage tied to UK athletics circles, where he was recognized as part of the program’s history and identity. For many in Lexington and across Kentucky, figures like Hagan represent a bridge between earlier eras of college athletics and the ongoing support families and alumni provide to the university’s sports programs.

UK athletics has long relied on coaches, players, and administrators who built the culture of Wildcats competition and community engagement. When such a figure dies, the impact is often felt beyond game days, including among former teammates, students, local sports supporters, and longtime fans who follow UK as a steady civic institution.

With a death announcement coming mid-October, the timing affects how quickly memorial information may reach the public. University statements and tributes, when issued, typically coordinate with family preferences and university communications procedures, meaning details can develop over days rather than immediately.

WLKY’s report leaves key questions unanswered in the material provided here, including the specific UK role Hagan is most associated with and whether services are planned. Those items, along with any official university recognition, would likely be clarified through updates from UK athletics and other official channels.

In the meantime, the news is being treated as a loss to Kentucky’s sports history, with the UK athletics community and broader fans marking the passing of a longtime Wildcat figure at 94.