Jeff Long
UA Athletic director Jeff Long has had an incredible year.
Arkansas student-athletes are excelling in the classroom, fundraising is off the charts, most of the athletic programs at the UA are kicking butt in their respective sports, and there are $320 million in athletics facilities upgrades coming down the pipe.
In other words, in almost every sports program on campus at the moment, life is good.
As a result, Long has been named one of five finalists for the 2012 SportsBusiness Journal and Sports Business Daily Athletic Director of the Year for his achievements at Arkansas.
“We are proud that SportsBusiness Journal has formally recognized what we have known for some time, Jeff Long is one of the top athletic directors in the nation,” said UA Chancellor David Gearhart in a statement. “As a vice chancellor and athletic director, Jeff has helped our university flourish in many important ways including providing leadership for one of the nation’s most successful intercollegiate athletics programs. Under his direction, Razorback athletics is achieving unprecedented success and meeting its mission to assist in the development of student-athletes to their fullest potential through intercollegiate athletics.”
Long is in his fourth year at the University of Arkansas. Since his arrival in 2008, Arkansas has captured 10 conference championships and advanced to 56 post-season competitions, including the school’s first Bowl Championship Series appearance in football, while drawing more than a million fans annually to campus to cheer on the Razorbacks.
The Athletic Director of the Year will be announced and recognized at the 2012 Sports Business Awards at the New York Marriott Marquis at Times Square in New York City on Wednesday, May 23.
The other finalists for the award are Bill Bradshaw (Temple), Dave Brandon (Michigan), Mark Hollis (Michigan State) and Ian McCaw (Baylor).
Go Jeff.
