Arkansas' Director of Athletic Training Dean Weber will take on a new role with Razorback Athletics as Director of Equipment Operations, Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long announced on Thursday.

Weber will oversee equipment operations for all 19 of Arkansas' intercollegiate sports, including apparel and footwear distribution. He will also continue to administer the athletic department's drug testing program.

" I am excited to begin a new chapter in my career with the Razorbacks, " Weber said. " This has been a long-range goal of mine and I had begun a dialogue with the administration about this transition several years ago. I appreciate the opportunity Jeff Long has given me to serve in a new capacity while remaining a part of a program that has been such an integral part of my life and my career.

" I would like to thank Coach [Frank ] Broyles, the athletic trainers that I have been privileged to work alongside and all of the student-athletes that I have developed a relationship with in the past 35 years. I am looking forward to taking on my new role and doing whatever I can to continue to assist all Razorbacks. "

Weber has ser ved the Razorbacks as the head of athletic training for the past 35 years. He has worked more than 420-consecutive Razorback football games. A 1998 inductee into the Arkansas Athletic Trainers'Association Hall of Fame, he was recognized the same year by the organization as one of the state's Athletic Trainers of the Year.

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" Given Dean's loyalty and service to our studentathletes I was pleased to accommodate his request for a new oppor tunity, " Long said. " He has been patient while we worked through the complexity of blending our men's and women's programs. I am confident that he will provide the administrative supervision and coordination required of equipment operations in a combined program. "

Weber was a 2000 inductee in the UA Sports Hall of Honor and a member of the Southwest Athletic Trainers' Association Hall of Fame. His professional career has made Weber noted for this work with athletic shoes as they apply to playing surfaces and his research on turf toe injuries.

In 1984, Weber was selected to the United States Olympic Team as athletic trainer after previously serving on the athletic training staff at the National Sports Festival three times.

Weber joined the Arkansas staff in March 1973, after serving as assistant athletic trainer at North Carolina. He worked for the Tar Heels for five years before moving to Fayetteville.