Host Communications records
Abstract
The Host Communications records (dated 1945-2022, undated; 28.9 cubic feet, 45 boxes, 5 cartons, 1 folder; 41.48 GB, 4,860 digital files) comprise office files, audiovisual materials, awards, and scrapbooks that document the history of Host Communications—a collegiate sports marketing and production company—and the life of its founder, Kentucky businessman Jim Host.
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Host Communications records
- Date
- 1945-2022, undated (inclusive)
- Creator
- Host, Jim, 1937-
- Extent
- 65 Cubic Feet
- Subjects
- Awards -- Kentucky.
- Basketball arenas
- Business enterprises -- Kentucky
- Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
- College sports -- Kentucky
- Kentucky -- Politics and government.
- Political campaigns
- Radio broadcasting of sports.
- Sports -- Marketing
- Tourism -- Kentucky.
- Host, Jim, 1937-
- World Equestrian Games
- Arrangement
- Collection is arranged by subject and format into three series: Administrative files, Audiovisual materials, and Personal papers and realia. Digital records in this collection have been integrated into the appropriate series and sub-series alongside physical records based on subject matter and creation dates.
- Preferred Citation
- 2024ms081 : [identification of item], Host Communications records, 1970-2021, University of Kentucky Libraries Special Collections Research Center.
- Repository
- University of Kentucky
Collection Overview
- Biography / History
- Jim Host, a pioneer in collegiate sports marketing, was born on November 23, 1937, in Kane, Pennsylvania, and raised in Ashland, Kentucky. He attended the University of Kentucky on the school's first-ever baseball scholarship, graduating in 1961 with a degree in Radio Arts. After his time as a Wildcat, Host pitched in the Chicago White Sox farm system until an arm injury brought his baseball career to an end. His early career also included stints in sales at Procter & Gamble and the ownership of a real estate and insurance business, as well as broadcasting University of Kentucky sports games. In 1967, at just 29 years old, Host became the youngest member of Kentucky Governor Louie Nunn's cabinet, initially serving as Commissioner of Public Information and later as Commissioner of Parks. He ran for lieutenant governor in 1971 as the Republican nominee, though he did not win the election. With only $107 to his name, he founded Jim Host & Associates in Lexington, Kentucky, which later became Host Communications, a sports marketing and production services company. Host Communications began its rise in 1974 by securing the radio rights for the University of Kentucky's basketball and football teams, followed by a key contract with the National Tour Association. In 1975, Host initiated a long-term partnership with the NCAA, eventually handling all its radio, publishing, and marketing functions (excluding television) for more than 25 years. One of his landmark achievements was the creation of the NCAA's first-ever corporate sponsorship program in 1983, laying the foundation for the modern-day NCAA Corporate Partner and Champion Program. Jim Host is known for the introduction of bundled multimedia rights, also known as the "full-meal deal," at the University of Kentucky in 1989. This model combined TV, radio, signage, sponsorship, publishing, and endorsements into a single rights package. It became a standard in college sports marketing and was adopted by more than 20 universities, helping to generate over $140 million annually for Host Communications. Under Host's leadership, the company represented premier college programs, including Notre Dame, Michigan, Texas, Florida State, and Alabama. He was instrumental in founding NCAA Football USA, Inc., the collective marketing body for college football, in 1998. Host retired in 2003, and in 2007, IMG acquired Host Communications, combining it with other firms to form IMG College, which today serves over 200 universities and associations. Until 2015, Host chaired Volar Video, the official video streaming partner of the National Football Foundation. Beyond his corporate career, Host returned to public service as Secretary of Commerce for Kentucky from 2003 to 2006 under Governor Ernie Fletcher. He also chaired or served on the boards of numerous civic, cultural, and athletic organizations, including the Louisville Arena Authority, Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, Bluegrass Economic Advancement Movement, and iHigh.com. Host's many honors include induction into the University of Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame, UK Alumni Hall of Leaders, College Basketball Hall of Fame, and University of Kentucky Hall of Distinguished Alumni. In 2014, he received the National Football Foundation's Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Football Award, recognizing his lifelong impact on college athletics. In 2021, Host chronicled his life, career, and the evolution of college sports marketing in his book Changing the Game: The History of College Sports Marketing, published by the University Press of Kentucky.
- Sources:
- Changing the Game: My Career in Collegiate Sports Marketing by Jim Host book description, University Press of Kentucky, https://www.kentuckypress.com/9780813179551/changing-the-game/, acccessed 2025 April 24.
- Jim Host, Spotlights, College of Communication and Information, University of Kentucky https://ci.uky.edu/spotlights/jim-host, accessed 2025 April 24.
- About Jim Host, Jim Host Awards, Bluegrass Sports Awards, Bluegrass Sports Commission, https://bluegrasssports.wordpress.com/bgsa/jim-host-awards-3/jim-host-bio/, accessed 2025 April 24.
- Jim Host, 2014 NFF Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Football Award Recipients, National Football Foundation, https://footballfoundation.org/sports/general/roster/jim-host/199, accessed 2025 April 24.
- Scope and Content
- The Host Communications records (dated 1945-2022, undated; 28.9 cubic feet, 45 boxes, 5 cartons, 1 folder; 41.48 GB, 4,860 files) comprise office files, audiovisual materials, awards, and scrapbooks that document the history of Host Communications—a collegiate sports marketing and production company—and the life of its founder, Kentucky businessman Jim Host. The collection includes business records and internal company correspondence, mainly related to sports broadcasting. It documents partnerships, broadcasting efforts with the NCAA, and significant projects, such as the 2010 World Equestrian Games and the Louisville Yum! Center. Arena. The collection contains audio recordings, photographs, videos, and multimedia items connected to Jim Host's professional and personal life. Highlights include recordings of Host's business advice, event photographs, campaign images, and sports coverage videos from the 1990s to 2000s. Finally, the collection contains materials reflecting Jim Host's personal achievements and public service, including awards, scrapbooks, items from his 1971 political campaign, and memorabilia from his time in state politics and civic leadership roles.
Restrictions on Access and Use
- Conditions Governing Access
- Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
- Use Restrictions
- The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Libraries Special Collections Research Center.
Contents of the Collection
Administrative files, 1972-2022
Scope and Contents
The Administrative files series (1977-2022) boxes contains Host Communications and Jim Host's business records from 1977-2022. A large portion of the files are correspondence to and from Jim Host and memoranda among company employees. The series contains National Collegiate Athletic Association broadcasting and publicity materials like reports, sponsor partnerships, and day-to-day radio production processes. Also included are reports and communications related to projects Jim Host worked closely on like the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, as well as, the task force work on developing Louisville Yum! Arena. The office files are arranged chronologically and by subject.
1970-1980s, 1990-1991
1991-1994
1994-1995
1995-1997
1997-1998
1998-1999
1999-2000
2000-2001
2001-2002
2002-2003
2003
2003-2004
2004-2006
2006-2009
2009-2022
Bluegrass Center Corporation, Lexington and the Tourist and Convention Commission, 1972-1977
Host Communications and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), 1976-2004
Jim Host travel schedules, 2000-2002
Louisville Arena Authority, 2005-2018
World Equestrian Games, 2007-2010
Purchase and Exchange of University Sports America, Inc., Common and Preferred Stock, 1995 October 16
Aquisition of Capital Sports Properties, Inc., Host Communications, Inc., and Universal Sports America, Inc., Volume 1, 1999 December 17
Aquisition of Capital Sports Properties, Inc., Host Communications, Inc., and Universal Sports America, Inc., Volume II, 1999 December 17
Audiovisual materials, 1956-2018, undated
Scope and Contents
The Audiovisual series (1956-2018, undated) comprises audio recordings, mixed media, photographs, and videos related to Host Communications events and projects, as well as Jim Host's professional and personal life. The majority of the audio files are voice recordings of Jim Host, which include information about how to be a successful businessperson or inspiring quotes. Photographs include digital images, photo prints, negatives, and slides. The photos capture events such as awards banquets, basketball games, horse races, and parties for Host Communications workers, as well as prints from Emberton/Host campaign events throughout Kentucky in 1971. Notably, many photos are portraits of significant people in college sports and politics, accompanied by signed inscriptions to Jim Host. Video recordings include banquet events, Host Communications, Inc. marketing materials, interviews with Jim Host, and highlights of sporting events primarily during the 1990s and early 2000s. Digital mixed media are mostly presentations with more than one format, such as PowerPoint and video.
Audio, 1992-2010, undated
Digital, 2001-2010
Disciplines to Building Great Companies, Jim Host, World Games 2010 Foundation Chairman, as presented at Alltech's Back to Basics (10 WAV), 2006 October
A.B. Happy Chandler Foundation, Ninth Annual Scholarship and Awards Banquet, Marriott Griffin Gate Resort, tracks: (1) Louie B. Nunn (2) Porter Peeples (3) Dave Gavitt (4) Ted Bassett (5) W. James Host (5 WAV), 2001 June 21
W. James Host, Daily Quotes, February-June (50 WAV), 2003
W. James Host, Daily Voicemail Quotes, August-September, Host Communications (33 WAV), 2002 December 4
W. James Host, Daily Voicemail Quotes, December-January, Host Communications (28 WAV), 2002-2003
W. James Host, Daily Voicemail Quotes, June-July, Host Communications (32 WAV), 2002 August 15
W. James Host, Daily Voicemail Quotes, October-November, Host Communications (33 WAV), 2002 December 4
Hello Everybody, This is Cawford Ledford, memoir produced by Host Communications (4 WAV, digital copies of audiocassette tape), 1992
Microcassettes (24), 1998-1999, undated
Digital mixed media, 2002-2011
Kentucky Hall of Fame Kiosk, Beta 1 (573 files), 2010-2011
The Coke Story, transcript of Host to Billy Reed at Host offices (1 Word Doc), 2002 July 29
KFC Yum! Center, Brand Standards and Logos, New West marketing agency, Louisville (19 files, 1 pdf, 7 eps, 5 gif, 6 images), 2010 July 19
World Equestrian Games - Battle pictures video clips (106 Images, 3 MOV), 2010
Chairman Host historical photos and video of photos (53 Images, 1 MKV), 2000-2009
World Equestrian Games - Battle pictures and video clips, Disk 2 (40 Images, 5 MOV), 2010
Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks Experience Package Overviews (2 Powerpoint), 2008 February 15
Photographs, 1956-2018, undated
Digital, 2000-2018
Alltech Haitian Harmony Choir (906 Images), 2010 October
Ann's Birthday at Pat Host's House, photo credit Ron Morrow (369 Images), 2018 March 27
Appreciation Luncheon at The Hilary Boone Center Library, Lexington, Kentucky, photo credit Ron Morrow (207 Images), 2019 May 3
Arena Pictures, photographer Linda Doane (31 Images), 2009
Champions, Ninth Annual IMG World Congress of Sports (42 Images), 2010 March 18
Commonwealth Legacy Awards Dinner, Jim Host, Paul Atkinson (159 Images), 2011 February 3
Go Red for Women Luncheon (71 Images), 2016
Host Ashland Field of Dreams (103 Images), 2008-2009
Host Communications Reunion, photo credit requested for Ron Morrow (478 Images), 2018 August 17
Host Communications workers (28 Images), 2000 October 12
Jim Host and Cawood Ledford (1 Image), 2000
Jim Host black and white images (27 Images), 2000, 2007, 2009
Jim Host Celebration Dinner, Kansas City, Walt Whitaker Photography, LLC (156 Images), 2012 November 17
Kentucky Derby 2 (114 Images), 2003 May 9
Kentucky Derby 3 (100 Images), 2003 May 9
Kentucky Derby 2002 edited (159 Images), 2002 June 7
Kentucky Derby 2002 edited, Host Communications (90 Images), 2002 May 11
Kentucky Oaks 2002 edited (127 Images), 2002 July 7
Kentucky Oaks 2002 edited, Host Communications (71 Images), 2002 July 3
Kincaid Lake SP Golf Course, with speech and ribbon cuts (28 Images), 2004 October 25
National Football Foundation, College Football Hall of Fame, 2014 OCAF Award Recipient, Mr. Jim Host, Commemorative Photo Disc, 57th Annual Awards Dinner (15 Images), 2014 December 9
National Tourism Association Reunion, Thursday November 1 (170 Images, 1 Powerpoint), 2007 October
Oaks 1 (70 Images), 2003 May
Oaks 2 (85 Images), 2003 May
Jim Host, taken from the Host Communications 25th Anniversary Newsletter, Host Communications (72 Images), undated
W. Jim Host portrait (1 Image), 2007
Prints, 1956-2016, undated
Christmas banquet, 1995
Christmas, circa 1995
Emberton/Host campaign, 1971
Emberton/Host campaign, 1971
Horse at stable, undated
Jim Host portraits, circa 1960-1970, undated
Red Mile Clubhouse, circa 1995
Soccer players, circa 2000
Assorted family and friends, 1956, 1964, 1990
Unidentified people, 1961, undated
Basketball Hall of Fame ceremony, 2003
Duke Blue Devils basketball practice, circa 1990
Final Four games in Seattle, 1995 April
Garden and Home, 2001, undated
Host Communications, Inc. 25th Anniversary Picnic, 1997
Host Communications, Inc. 25th Anniversary Picnic, 1997
Index proof sheets, 1996-2013
Index proof sheets, 1996-2013
Jim and Pat Host portrait, undated
Jim Host portrait, circa 1970-2010
People at horse race (possibly Kentucky Derby or Keeneland), circa 1980-2010
Unidentified people, circa 1980-2010
University of Kentucky Marketing Academy, circa 2000
Index proof sheets, circa 1970-2010
Kentucky Republican events, circa 1967-1975
Jim Host portrait, 2010, undated
Pat Host and unidentified people, undated
Unidentified people, 2010, undated
Barnhart, Mitch, Athletic Director of University of Kentucky, signed, undated
Delta Tau Delta, University of Kentucky, yearbook, 1956
Delta Tau Delta, University of Kentucky, yearbook, 1958
Host, Jim and unidentified man, undated
Host, Jim portrait signed to Jim Shropshire, circa 1970
Host, Jim, Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame plaque, 2000
Host, Jim, Steve Nunn, and two unidentified men, undated
Cheney, Dick and Jim Host, signed by Dick Cheney, undated
Cleary, Mike, Executive Director of National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, undated
Curry, Kristie, Woman's Basketball Coach, Purdue University, signed, undated
Davie, Bob, Head Football Coach, Notre Dame, signed, 1997
Delta Tau Delta, University of Kentucky, yearbook, 1959
Dodds, DeLoss, Athletic Director, University of Texas, signed, undated
Filippo, Gene, Athletic Director, Boston College, undated
Hart, Dave, Jr., Athletic Director, Florida State University, undated
Holtz, Lou, Head Football Coach, University of South Carolina, undated
Holtz, Lou, Head Football Coach, Unversity of Notre Dame, undated
Host Communications, Inc. Management Committee, 1994-1995, 1994
Host, Jim and unidentified man, undated
Host, Jim, Robert E. Whitley, Roger Kennedy, signed by Kennedy, undated
Keady, Gene, Men's Basketball Coach, Purdue University, signed, undated
Kidd, Roy, Head Football Coach, Eastern Kentucky University, signed, undated
Kramer, Roy, Southeastern Conference Commissioner, undated
LeCrone, Jon, Commissioner of the Horizon League, signed, undated
McGee, Mike, Dr., Athletic Director, University of South Carolina, undated
Newton, C.M., Athletic Director, University of Kentucky, signed, undated
O'Brien, Tom, Head Football Coach, Boston College, undated
Patton, Paul E., Kentucky Governor (includes photocopy of Patton's signature originally on the glass of frame), circa 1970
Penders, Tom, Head Basketball Coach, University of Texas, signed, undated
Robinson, Steve, Head Basketball Coach, Florida State University, signed, undated
Skinner, Al, Head Basketball Coach, Boston College, undated
Summitt, Pat, Women's Basketball Coach, University of Tennessee, signed, undated
Templeton, Larry, Athletic Director, Mississippi State University, signed, undated
White, Alfred B., Southern Conference Commissioner, signed, undated
Jim Host at YUM! Center, 2010 December 22
Unidentified man presenting Travel Industry Hall of Leaders Award to Jim Host, undated
Jim Host seated at desk, circa 1971
Jim Host speaking at podium, circa 1971
Jim Host and Norman Schwarzkopf, undated
Jim Host, Jim Gray, and unidentified people, Leadership Louisville Luncheon, 2011 August 11
Pat and Jim Host with group of unidentified people, undated
Ashland High School 50th Reunion class photo, circa 2006
Fogler, Eddie, Head Basketball Coach, University of South Carolina, signed, undated
Host, Jim and Pat, Mitch McConnell, and seven unidentified people at banquet, signed by Mitch McConnell, 1993 June 29
Host, Jim, Mary Catherine and Jim Bunning, signed by Jim Bunning, undated
Host, Jim, Rick Pitino, and three unidentified men on a golf course, signed by Pitino, undated
NCAA Final Four group photo, 2015
NCAA Final Four group photo, 2016
Templeton, Larry, Athletic Director, Mississippi State University, signed, undated
Proofsheets, 1983, 1994, undated
Negatives and slides, circa 1970-1990, undated
Video, 1986-2014, undated
Digital, 2005-2014
Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Presents The Excitement Lands in Kentucky, produced in cooperation with Carr-Hughes Productions and Hammond Communications Group (8 MKV), 2008 January 14
Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, Kentucky 2010, promotional video (1 MKV), before 2010
American Heart Association Heart Ball, Lexington, Kentucky, MSI Production Services (1 MKV), 2013 February 16
Arena Coverage (21 MKV), 2009 April
Arena Video (1 MKV), 2010 August
Champions of Diversity Awards, Louisville Urban League Diversity Soiree (2 MKV), 2011 May 21
Championship Vignettes, 75 Years of March Madness Commemorative Programming, courtesy of NCAA, Disc 4 (1 MKV), 2012
Closing Ceremony, World Equestrian Games, Aachen, Germany, produced by Triangle Talent, Inc for Alltech FEI (8 MKV), 2010 October 6
Dan Mangeot Memorial Award, Honoring Jim Host, Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau Rose Awards (1 MKV), 2007
FEI World Equestrian Championships, Aachen Champions Circle, WEG 2006 Aachen Highlights for alltech Kentucky 2010 (2 MKV), before 2010
Game Changer: The Lexington Center Store, Produced and directed by Arthur Rouse, Lexington Center Corporation, Media Collaboratory (1 MKV), 2014
Hall of Fame, Jim Host, Joe B. Hall, WKYT (1 MKV), 2012
Industrial Appreciation Banquet, Corbin, Kentucky, Redhound Productions (1 MKV), 2005
Jim and Pat Host, Heart Ball (1 MKV), 2013
Jim Host interview on Kentucky Newsmakers (1 MKV), 2005
Jim Host Pictures, Media Collaboratory (2 MKV), undated
Kentuckiana Construction Works Pipeline program (1 MKV), circa 2009
Kentucky Association of Electrical Cooperatives, Choice for Distinguished Rural Kentuckian Award (1 MKV), 2004 November 22
Kentucky Chamber Commonwealth Legacy Awards Event Video, MSI Production Services (1 MKV), 2011 February 3
Kentucky Chamber Commonwealth Legacy Awards Tribute Videos, MSI Production Services (FEI World Equestrian Games) (3 MKV), 2011 February 3
Kentucky Show!, Launch event, Bluegrass Video (1 MKV), 2006 November 9
Kentucky Unbridled Spirit for the 2010 World Equestrian Games (1 MKV), before 2010
Leadership Landscape, Jim Host, Louisville Metro TV (1 MKV), before 2010
Louisville Arena Marketing DVD (1 MKV), before 2010
MISL Championship Series Finals DVD Highlights (1 MKV), 2005
National Old Timers, Baseball Classic Highlights, VTA, Atlants, Georgia (1 MKV), undated
NBC Sports World Equestrian Championships, Aachen, Germany, for Alltech Kentucky 2010 (1 MKV), 2006 September 24
Para Dressage, 2010 alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (1 MPG), before 2010
Thank You Chairman Host, Goldman Sachs (1 MKV), circa 2010
Tribute to Ian Naismith, 4.10.2012, Look This Way Photography (1 MKV), 2012
University of Kentucky Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (1 MKV), 2009 October 23
World Championships of Equestrian Sport, Jim Host, Alltech Bounce Back 2010 (1 MKV), 2010 June 7
World Equestrian Games, Recap Video, Carr-Hughes Productions, for Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, Kentucky (1 MKV), 2006 September 16
VHS cassettes, 1986-2004, undated
100 Years of Kentucky Basketball, Host Productions, circa 2003
1948 Kentucky Basketball Highlight Show Reunion Dinner, UK Sports Video, 1998 January 31
1994-95 Kentucky Basketball, A Season Of Dreams, Advance Preview Copy, Stereo Mix, 1995
1999 BASS Masters Classic, News Segment, New Orleans Superdome, copy, 1999
1999 Hall of Fame, Enshrinement NBC Telecast, Basketball Hall of Fame, Springfield Massachusetts, 1999
27 NewsFirst 6:00pm, 1996 March 24
27 NewsFirst, This Morning, Host Communications, NCAA Programs, WKYT, 1996 March 27
A.B. Chandler Birthday, 1987 July 14
Cawood Ledford Tribute: CBS Sports, National Championship game, 1992 April 6
CBS Sports Special, Glory in Black and White: the story of the 1966 NCAA Basketball Champions, 2002 March 31
Chandler Foundation Dinner, 2001 July 21
Chandler Foundation Dinner, Jim Host Tribute, Host Productions, 2001 July 21
Chandler Foundation Dinner, KYT, 2001 July 21
Close Up on WAVE-TV, with guest James Host, Commissioner of Ky. St. Parks and Recreation, MainStreet Productions, undated
Conference Overview, Building Cities of Character, undated
Dub of HCI Corporate Marketing Video, revision no. 1, 1994 July 11
ESPN - The Season - Kentucky Football, undated
Game of the Week - Duke vs. Kentucky, Produced by Cowen Media for ESPN Classic, Original Air Date: March 25, 2001, 2001 March 25
Host Communications Corporate Video, undated
Host Communications Corporate Video, 1991 June 4
Host Communications Corporate Video, undated
Host Communications Corporate Video, 2000 July 24
Host Communications The Leader in Collegiate Sports Marketing, 1990
Host Communications, Inc., Corporate Video, Sports Marketing segment, undated
Host Communications, Inc., Leading the Way, Corporate Video, MainStreet Productions, 1997
Host Communications, Inc. ...Leading the Way Every Day & Everywhere, 1997
Host Creative Communications, Marketing Video, 1991 September
Host Communications Sports Communications Marketing Video, 1994 August
Host Communications State of the Company, undated
Host Communications, Your Bridge To The College Affinity Market, Host Communications, Inc. (2 copies), 1994
Host Torch Run, undated
Jim Host -- Chairman Professor, Host Communication, Inc., 49th Distinguished Visiting Professor, undated
Jim Host on Newsmakers, 2004 December 2
Jim Host Photos, MainStreet Productions, Tape 2 of 2, 2000 August 10
Jim Host Photos, MainStreet Productions, Tape 1 of 2, 2000 August 10
Jim Host Pictures Tape 1, Jim, Baseball shot, Ashland, undated
Jim Host Pictures Tape 2, undated
Jim Host Tribute, undated
Jim Host National Tour Association White House Conference on Travel and Tourism, 1995 October 31
Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperative 58th Annual Meeting Banquet, Distinguished Rural Kentuckian: W. James Host, 2004 November 22
Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperative 58th Annual Meeting Banquet, Distinguished Rural Kentuckian: W. James Host (w/all interview comments), 2004 November 22
Kentucky Commerce Cabinet, W. James Host, Insight Communications, ICN6, includes Barry Conley of Insight Communications business card, 2004 July
Kentucky Newsmakers, WKYT 11-11:30 AM, Guests: Jim Host - KY Commerce Secretary, Commonwealth of KY Creative Services, 2004 December 4
Kentucky vs. Duke, NCAA, Cawood Ledford's Final Game, 1992 March 28
KY-Duke (ESPN Loren E. Matthews, Senior Vice President Programming business card taped to case), undated
Louisville & Lexington T.V. Coverage, Choices of Kentucky's Branding Logos, Division of Creative Services, Commonwealth of Kentucky, 2004 October 26
NCAA Corporate Partners Video (revised), Host Communications, Inc., undated
NCAA Final Four 1989 Highlights, NCAA Productions, 1989
National Association of Sports Officials, Be A Ref. Make The Call!, Public Service Announcement, Four 30-second versions, undated
National Football Foundation 40th Awards Dinner, Alex Kroll, MainStreet Productions, 1998
National Park Future, Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee, Host Testimony as seen on C-SPAN 2, MainStreet Productions, 1997 March 13
National Tour Association 50th Anniversary, Lexington, Kentucky, Host Communications, 2001 February 19
National Tour Association Convention - Orlando, Fla., Tribute to George Snyder, Thursday Luncheon, MainStreet Productions, 1995, 1995 November 16
National Tour Association Dallas Convention 1994, Gatlin Brothers Luncheon, Main Street Productions, 1994 November 3
National Tour Association Dallas Convention 1994, Opening Ceremonies, Main Street Productions, 1994 October 31
National Tour Association Dallas Convention 1994, Week in Review Video, Main Street Productions, 1994
National Tourism Foundation, Arthur Tauck Tribute Video, Hall of Fame Dinner, Host Productions, undated
National Tourism Foundation, Tauck Tribute Video, (1 min. of Black Separation), National Tourism Foundation Hall of Fame Video, Host Productions, undated
Sheffield Sesquicentennial, 1986
The Season, Kentucky High School Basketball, ESPN, Host Communications, Part 1, undated
The Season, Kentucky High School Basketball, ESPN, Host Communications, Part 2, undated
The Season, Kentucky High School Basketball, ESPN, Host Communications, Part 3, undated
Sportsview, Adolph Rupp/Bear Bryant, undated
Sullivan's Travels, Jim Host Raw Footage, WKYT, undated
Ted Bassett Tribute (former president and trustee of Keeneland), undated
Voice of Kentucky: Cawood Ledford, undated
WKYT News 5:30pm, Final Four Book Coverage, 1988 March 29
Game Changer: The Lexington Center Store, Produced and directed by Arthur Rouse, Lexington Center Corporation, Media Collaboratory, DVD and case, 2014
Personal papers and realia, 1945-2018, undated
Scope and Contents
The Personal papers and realia series (1945-2018, undated) comprises awards, certificates, newspaper clippings, scrapbooks, personal papers, and keepsakes that document Jim Host's life and career. The series contains award certificates and plaques from various organizations that recognize Host's service as a communications leader in sports, as well as civic projects he worked on or supported. Most of the scrapbooks include newspaper clippings and documents related to the Host's role as Commissioner of Kentucky State Parks from 1967 to 1970 and his experiences on the campaign trail for Kentucky Lieutenant Governor in 1971. The series also includes commission certificates for various roles Jim Host held in state politics from the 1960s through to the 2010s. The series also contains some personal keepsakes, such as childhood report cards, personal correspondence, and 1971 campaign materials, including posters and bumper stickers.
Awards, certificates, and commissions, 1964-2014, undated
House Bill No. 577, General Assembly, Commonwealth of Kentucky, 2004 Regular Session, signed by Governor Ernie Fletcher, 2004 March 25
House Bill No. 577, General Assembly, Commonwealth of Kentucky, 2004 Regular Session, signed by Governor Ernie Fletcher, 2004 April 13
Certificate of Appreciation, signed by President Richard Nixon, 1972 October 26
Travel Industry Association of America, Certificate of Appreciation, 1998 November 8
University of Kentucky Libraries Service Award, before 1990
White House Reception Invitation, 1981 September 15
Commission certificates, Commonwealth of Kentucky, signed by Governon Louie B. Nunn, 1967-1970
Commission certificates, Commonwealth of Kentucky, signed by Governor Julian M. Carroll, 1979
Commission certificates, Commonwealth of Kentucky, signed by Governor Ernie Fletcher, 2003-2004
Distinguished visiting professor certificate, Johnson and Wales University, Providence, Rhode Island, 1997
Kentucky Colonel commission certificate, signed by Steven L. Beshear, 2014
Tribute to Louisville Arena Task Force certificate, signed by Ernie Fletcher, 2005
Bluegrass Community Services, Inc. certificate, 1991 June 26
Doctorate of Kentucky Wildcat Baseball certificate, undated
Spirit of Louisville Award, Louisville Metro Council, 2008 October 23
SPOKE Award for outstanding service, Jaycees, Lexington, 1964 April 20
Host, Pat Master Golf Program certificate of achievement, undated
Forty-fifth Annual Industrial Appreciation Banquet program, Corbin Office of Economic Development, 2005 November 1
Plaques (17), 1970-2012
Kentucky Colonel commission certificate, signed by Governor Paul E. Patton, 1999 June 16
Travel Industry Hall of Leaders Award certificate, Travel Industry Association of America, 1995 October 19
Clippings and scrapbooks, 1954-2018, undated
Jim Host State Parks Commissioner clippings, 1969-1970
Lieutenant Governor Campaign clippings, 1970-1971
Newspaper clippings, 1967-2018, undated
Scrapbooks, 1999-2004
Scrapbook pages, 1967-1971
Scrapbook of Ashland, Kentucky High School Sports, circa 1954
Scrapbook of photocopies of 1970s newsclippings from Tom Stultz, 1997
Assorted, 1945-2012, undated
Jim Host's early life: report cards, Ashland High School Yearbook, 1945-1953
Personal correspondence and ephemera, 1970-2012
Inauguration of President George H.W. Bush invitation, 1989
Mock up for Christmas cards, undated
Receipt for journalism correspondence course, University of Kentucky, 1960 January 1
Gaines, Clarence "Big House", signed illustration, 2003
"Jim Host is the Most" campaign poster, 1971
Computer rendering of Louisville Downtown Arena, circa 2005
Jim Host for Lt. Governor campaign poster and two Emberton/Host bumper stickers, 1971
Nametags and one campaign button, 1971, undated
Special Collections Research Center - Closed
The Breckinridge Research Room will be closed starting May 11, 2026, and anticipates re-opening Fall semester 2026 in an alternate location for the duration of the King Library renovation.
Reproduction requests will still be available during the closure.
Contact SCRC with questions.
Table of Contents
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
Special Collections Research Center - Closed
The Breckinridge Research Room will be closed starting May 11, 2026, and anticipates re-opening Fall semester 2026 in an alternate location for the duration of the King Library renovation.
Reproduction requests will still be available during the closure.
Contact SCRC with questions.
Requests
No items have been requested.
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
