Jon Fagg Named Senior Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and Student-Athlete Services

Jon Fagg has been named senior associate athletic director for compliance and student-athlete services in the University of Arkansas’ department of intercollegiate athletics, it was announced by vice chancellor and director of athletics Jeff Long May 1.

Fagg will oversee all aspects of the compliance department, including department supervision of NCAA and Southeastern Conference rules compliance and education. In addition to reporting directly to the vice chancellor and director of athletics, the new position will have an informational reporting relationship on compliance issues with the University’s Office of the General Counsel.

Fagg will also supervise the student-athlete services department which advises and offers support to more than 450 Razorback student-athletes.

“Jon will be a great addition to the University of Arkansas and the department of intercollegiate athletics,” Long said. “He has a tremendous reputation in the compliance field and has already proven to be an excellent athletics administrator. We are entrusting him with the leadership of two vitally important areas of our program. I am confident that his expertise will enhance our department and directly benefit our student-athletes.”

Fagg joins the Razorback staff after spending the past seven years at North Carolina State University. Hired at North Carolina State on March 12, 2001, he served four and half years as an assistant athletics director for compliance before being promoted to associate athletics director for compliance in the fall of 2005.

“I am excited to be coming to the University of Arkansas and joining the Razorback program” Fagg said. “I am grateful to Jeff Long for this tremendous opportunity to be a part of a nationally-respected institution and athletics program in the premiere intercollegiate athletics conference in the nation. As athletics administrators, we have an inherent responsibility to help foster the growth of our student-athletes academically, athletically and socially. I welcome that responsibility and look forward to playing an active role in the process. My family and I are very excited to be moving to Fayetteville and joining the Razorback family.”

While with the Wolfpack, Fagg’s responsibilities included coordinating all aspects of the NCAA compliance program, including rules education for intercollegiate staff and related university personnel, and advisement, education and interpretations regarding NCAA rules and regulations. Prior to his tenure at North Carolina State, Fagg spent three years as the assistant athletics director for compliance at Fresno State University. He also served one year as director of compliance for the Big South Conference.

His first athletics administrative experience came at Mars Hill College where he handled compliance duties as well as serving as an assistant coach for the football team for three seasons. His coaching experience also includes a stint as an assistant football coach at Davidson College from February of 1992 to June of 1993 and as a graduate assistant coach at his alma mater, the University of Arizona, from January 1991 to February 1992.

Fagg and his wife Amanda have three children: Jon Madison (10) and six-year-old twins, Reed and Ellie.

Razorbacks to Take on Defending National Champion LSU and Arch Rival Texas as Part of 2008 Football Schedule

Arkansas will take on eight teams that played in bowl games last season, including defending national champion LSU and arch rival Texas, in Coach Bobby Petrino's inaugural season with the Razorbacks.

The 2008 slate includes seven in-state games with five scheduled for Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville and two scheduled for War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. Arkansas will host Alabama (Sept. 20), Florida (Oct. 4) and Ole Miss (Oct. 25) on campus in Southeastern Conference play. Little Rock will once again host the "Battle for the Boot" between Arkansas and LSU (Nov. 29).

The Razorbacks' non-conference schedule is highlighted by a renewed series with former Southwest Conference rival Texas. Arkansas will play the first game in a two-year series at Austin on Sept. 13. The two teams last played in 2004 in Fayetteville.

Arkansas will also play another familiar foe in non-conference action. The Hogs will host Tulsa (Nov. 1) in Fayetteville for the first time since 2003. The matchup will mark the 70th meeting between Arkansas and Tulsa on the gridiron.

Jeff Long Named University of Arkansas Director of Men's Athletics

Jeff Long

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Jeff Long, athletics director at the University of Pittsburgh, has been named director of men's athletics at the University of Arkansas, effective Jan. 1, 2008.

In his more than 20-year career in intercollegiate athletics, Long has served as an athletics administrator at the University of Oklahoma, Eastern Kentucky University, Virginia Tech University and the University of Michigan. He also has held coaching and administrative positions at Rice University, Duke University and North Carolina State University.

"Finding a successor to a legend is a daunting responsibility, especially when the person sought is entrusted with a state treasure such as Razorback athletics," said Chancellor John A. White.

"In conducting the search process, I sought input from dozens of respected individuals in college athletics, and one name kept coming up: Jeff Long," White said. "Jeff is an established leader with a track record of success with honor. He understands the role of intercollegiate athletics at major public universities, and is positioned to raise the bar even higher for Arkansas athletics -- inside and outside of competition."

Arkansas men's athletics director Frank Broyles will serve in his current role through the end of the calendar year before transitioning to other responsibilities within the University after more than 50 years of service to the Razorbacks as a coach and an athletics administrator.

"The University of Arkansas and the men's athletics department are extremely privileged to welcome Jeff Long, his wife Fanny and their two daughters Stephanie and Christina into the Razorback family," said Broyles. "Jeff brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from some of the most successful athletics programs and institutions in the Big East, Atlantic Coast Conference, Big 12 and Big Ten. He is well respected among his peers and is an excellent choice to lead the Razorbacks. Our program is blessed with an outstanding group of coaches, student-athletes, staff members, passionate fans throughout the state and a collection of first-class facilities. Those elements, combined with Jeff Long's proven leadership and commitment to integrity, will enable the University of Arkansas and the Razorback program to continue to thrive in the years to come."

Frank Broyles and Jeff Long

Long will be paid a base salary of $450,000 with additional incentives for athletic and academic achievements.

Long has spent the last four years at the helm of the Pitt athletics program, leading the Panthers to success on the fields of play, high achievement in the classroom and bold initiatives in the areas of facilities, development and student-welfare. One indication of Pitt's success was revealed in Sports Illustrated magazine on Campus All-Sport Rankings (December 2006), which listed the Panthers No. 17 nationally.

"In Jeff Long, I'm confident we've found the right man to carry forth the tradition of excellence that is Razorback athletics," said B. Alan Sugg, president of the University of Arkansas System. "He is someone who will build upon the distinguished legacy of Frank Broyles and maintain the level of success and pride that Arkansans have in the Razorbacks."

In his four years at Pittsburgh, Long has seen the athletics department recertified by the NCAA Division I Committee on Athletics Certification, meaning the program conforms with the principles established by the NCAA Division I membership. The NCAA peer review team described several areas of Pitt's program as "models for others to follow."

Other highlights include launching the "Quest for Excellence" campaign in 2005, which has already raised $34 million for endowed athletics scholarships, capital gifts for building and improvement projects, and annual contributions for student-athlete scholarships; the addition of an Olympic sports weight room, in addition to new training facilities for wrestling and gymnastics; the creation of a career and life skills staff position, which focuses on the development of student-athletes; the development of a radio partnership with Clear Channel Communications in one of the largest media markets in the nation, which includes professional franchises in football, baseball and hockey; a partnership with ISP sports, a collegiate sports marketing company, in addition to the development of Panthers Weekly, a television program devoted to Pitt's athletics programs produced by FSN Pittsburgh; the design of a new uniform "PITT" logo and a comprehensive partnership with Adidas; and hosting, for the first time, NCAA Tournament women's basketball first- and second-round games.

Individually, this past spring Long was named to the Division I Men's Basketball Academic Enhancement Group, which is focused on developing strategies to enhance the academic performance and graduation rates in that sport; he was named one of the Big East Conference's representatives on the 49-member NCAA Division I Management Council, which is involved in legislative issues and oversees groups responsible for academic affairs, eligibility, compliance, championships and competition; he is a member of the Executive Committee of the Division IA Athletic Directors' Association, a group dedicated to the welfare and future success of student-athletes; and in 2004 he was appointed to the NCAA's Sports Wagering Task Force.

"The Razorbacks are the pride of Arkansas, and Jeff Long has the experience and ability to carry on that tradition and lead the university's men's athletics programs to new heights," said Stanley Reed, chairman of the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees. "His leadership skills, fund-raising abilities and integrity have earned him respect around the nation, and he is a perfect fit for Arkansas athletics."

Long's accomplishments and high aspirations during his time at Pitt are not surprising considering his outstanding professional and personal pedigree. He is cut from the mold of winners and has worked in many of the country's highest-profile conferences, including the Big 12, Big Ten, Big East and Atlantic Coast Conference.

"I have worked with Jeff Long in the BCS and on the NCAA Basketball Academic Enhancement Committee," said Southeastern Conference Commissioner Mike Slive. "He has a passion for intercollegiate athletics and insight into the issues that has made him a prominent contributor to both of these groups. He has the background, experience, enthusiasm and commitment to be a worthy successor to Frank Broyles and to play a leadership role in the Southeastern Conference. I look forward to continuing my relationship with him as the director of athletics at the University of Arkansas."

Prior to his Pitt appointment, Long served as the senior associate athletics director at the University of Oklahoma for two-and-a-half years. He oversaw all external affairs, including development, marketing/promotions, licensing, media relations, ticket operations, radio/television and SoonerVision productions. He additionally was the primary administrator for football and men's basketball and the sport supervisor for baseball, wrestling and men's and women's golf.

"Jeff Long is an outstanding hire by the University of Arkansas and a wonderful addition to the Razorback family," said Oklahoma athletics director Joe Castiglione. "He has already proven that he possesses the personal and professional qualities to lead a championship caliber program. He is also passionate about keeping the focus on the student-athletes and coaches as they all work together to reflect the institutional mission. From coaching to administration, Jeff's experiences have really prepared him for this wonderful opportunity. I am confident that his big picture mentality, his boundless energy and his ability to communicate with everyone will serve him well as he charts the new course for Razorback Athletics and builds upon the tradition of success which already exists. You can count on him and his family representing Arkansas with integrity and class."

Prior to Oklahoma, Long was the athletics director at Eastern Kentucky University. He significantly improved Eastern Kentucky's athletics infrastructure during his two years with the completion of several facility projects and the formation of viable corporate partnerships and sponsorships.

Long also served a short tenure at Virginia Tech as associate athletics director prior to his Eastern Kentucky post. The majority of his career in collegiate athletics administration, though, was spent at the University of Michigan. Hired by legendary coach and athletics director Bo Schembechler, Long elevated through a number of administrative posts at Michigan before ultimately reaching associate athletics director.

"On behalf of the Division 1A Athletic Directors' Association, we congratulate Chancellor John White and the University of Arkansas on their selection of Jeff Long as director of athletics," said Dutch Baughman, executive director of the organization. "We also congratulate and commend Chancellor White on his extremely well administered search for a new athletics director. The search has been comprehensive, thorough, and certainly in alignment with institutional core values.

"Jeff Long is a proven leader, and has developed a reputation has a true professional. He understands and is experienced in every aspect of an intercollegiate athletics operation. Obviously, Jeff will assume the duties as director of athletics in a most unique situation, with the tremendous leadership, influence and legacy of Frank Broyles. We wish Frank much happiness in his retirement, and we offer best wishes and continued success to Jeff and the University of Arkansas."

A 1982 graduate of Ohio Wesleyan with a bachelor's degree in economics, Long earned seven varsity letters in football and baseball. He received his master's degree in education from Miami University (Ohio) in 1983 after serving as a graduate assistant football coach.

A native of Kettering, Ohio, Long is married to the former Fanny Gellrich of Ann Arbor, Mich. The couple has two children, Stephanie (13) and Christina (8).

A Statement from Chancellor John A. White:

On Saturday, Aug. 11, 2007, representatives from the University of Arkansas met with members of the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions concerning allegations in the men's track and field program. During the hearing, we had an opportunity to share our views on the issues in this case in a candid and detailed exchange with members of the committee.

On Saturday, Aug. 11, 2007, representatives from the University of Arkansas met with members of the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions concerning allegations in the men's track and field program. During the hearing, we had an opportunity to share our views on the issues in this case in a candid and detailed exchange with members of the committee.

The allegations considered by the committee were a direct result of a comprehensive self-inquiry and report forwarded by the university to the NCAA following initial allegations raised in a superseding federal indictment of a former track and field assistant coach. While the indictment and conviction of the coach were based primarily on the coach's actions while employed at another institution, the university worked promptly and proactively to analyze potential issues emerging from the indictment related to the University of Arkansas men's track and field program.

More specifically, soon after the superseding indictment, the university began its inquiry and shortly thereafter requested that the NCAA Enforcement staff become involved with the shared goal of ascertaining the facts in this case. The university self-reported the violations and the NCAA Enforcement Staff issued a notice of allegations. It is important to note that the notice resulting from the joint inquiry and self-report did not contain any alleged violations of NCAA rules specifically against Head Coach John McDonnell or members of his current coaching staff. Nevertheless, as set forth in the institution's response to the notice, the university acknowledged its responsibility for certain NCAA violations and detailed the meaningful corrective and punitive actions that it had instituted. As I stated to the committee, the university accepts full responsibility for those violations.

Based on previous cases, we anticipate that the committee will deliberate and issue its report in six to eight weeks. Due to the pending status of the case, it would not be appropriate for the university to comment further regarding these matters. In the meantime, we appreciate the support of the University of Arkansas community and all Razorback fans and share with them the commitment to comply with the spirit and intent of all NCAA rules.

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Tysen Kendig, associate vice chancellor
University Relations
(479) 575-5555, tkendig@uark.edu