Long Named An Under Armour Athletics Director of the Year

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Jeff Long, University of Arkansas

Jeff Long, the University of Arkansas' vice chancellor and director of athletics, has been named an Under Armour Athletics Director of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics.

Long is one of four honorees from the Football Bowl Subdivision and will be formally recognized during association's 48th annual convention at the World Center Marriott Resort in Orlando, Fla., on Saturday, June 15, at the James J. Corbett Awards Luncheon. This is the second time in as many years Long has been honored for his work at the U of A. In 2012, Long was a finalist for the SportsBusiness Journal Athletic Director of the Year.

"Once again, Jeff Long has been recognized as one of the premier leaders in intercollegiate athletics,” Chancellor G. David Gearhart said. “In his time at Arkansas, Jeff has transformed Razorback Athletics into a nationally respected holistic program committed to developing student-athletes to their fullest potential. With his leadership, our athletic program continues to set new standards of success on the fields of competition and in the classroom. Congratulations to Jeff on this prestigious award. I am proud of his many accomplishments and look forward to his continued contributions as a key member of our university’s leadership team.”

Now in his sixth year at the university, Long has revitalized a tradition-rich athletics program through a period of unprecedented transition and national attention. In 2012, the Razorbacks finished 20th in the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup, the best for the program since the current scoring format was adopted. In 2013, Arkansas advanced 16 programs to postseason competition including capturing four SEC championships and one NCAA title in men’s indoor track and field. Academically, Razorback student-athletes posted a program-high 3.09 GPA in 2013 and volunteered more than 6,500 community service hours.

Long guided the program to a record breaking fundraising year and helped prepare the program for the future by launching the first four projects of the Athletic Facilities Master Plan. In 2012, Arkansas broke ground on a $40 million football center, while also getting approval for a Student-Athlete Success Academic and Dining facility, a new basketball practice facility and a baseball and indoor track training facility. Despite all of these accomplishments, it was Long’s courageous leadership in adversity that helped steady a program, bolster a university and unite a state. Throughout the process, he helped dissolve pervasive cynicism about the morals of those in leadership and restore confidence in the integrity of intercollegiate athletics. In appreciation of his leadership, a private gift of $1.25 million was made to establish a student-athlete development program at the University of Arkansas.

Long is also helping shape the future of intercollegiate athletics within the SEC and nationally. He is a member of the NCAA Championships Cabinet and the Division IA Athletic Directors Executive Committee. In addition to Long, other Football Bowl Subdivision Athletic Directors honored include Jeff Compher (Northern Illinois / East Carolina), John Currie (Kansas State) and Kevin White (Duke).