FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas announced the hiring of Mark O’Neal as head athletic trainer for men’s basketball earlier this week.
O’Neal, who holds a kinesiology degree with an emphasis in athletic training from the University of Arkansas, replaces head athletic trainer Dave England, who completed his 36th season as the Razorbacks’ basketball trainer in 2018-19 and is shifting to an administrative position in the athletic department.
England also worked with Arkansas baseball, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s golf and the Razorbacks spirit squads.
O’Neal, who worked with the Razorbacks’ football and basketball teams under England while in college, joined the St. Louis Cardinals major league staff in 1998 as the medical and rehabilitation coordinator. He was promoted to assistant athletic trainer in 2003. One year later, O’Neal accepted the head athletic trainer position with the Chicago Cubs.
In Oct. 2012, he was promoted to director of medical operations.
On June 5, prior to the Cubs’ home game against the Colorado Rockies, O’Neal was presented an autographed scoreboard panel with the No. 15 on it, representing the number of years he served with Chicago.
He was named the National League's All-Star Athletic Trainer in 2009 and Major League Baseball Athletic Trainer of the Year in 2008.
Prior to his time in the major leagues, O’Neal spent time in the Cardinals’ farm system, which included stops in Louisville and North Little Rock, home of the the Arkansas Travelers.