William J. Weidner is in his sixth year as the Director of Athletics at the University of Texas-Pan American. The UTPA Athletic Director thrives on challenges. Throughout his career, he has been a coach and administrator willing to meet every problem and challenge head-on. Bill Weidner views those challenges as opportunities to make something happen.

Since his arrival on the UTPA campus in 1998, Weidner has introduced a number of changes and new programs that have transformed the UTPA Department of Intercollegiate Athletics in significant ways: goals, attitudes, new approaches and tangible results. Weidner’s first project was the restructuring of the department.

One of his top priorities was the creation of an Executive Staff for the department, a group that meets weekly to address issues, ensure communication and plan proactively for the future. A Coaches’ Council has also been initiated in which all head coaches have an opportunity to share ideas and work together toward the advancement of the Athletic Department. In addition, the Student-Athlete Advisory Council has been elevated to a more visible role to ensure that the needs and concerns of the student-athlete are addressed in a timely manner.

Of special significance during Weidner’s first year at UTPA was the attainment of full NCAA Certification status by the athletic department in July of 1998. The development of a state-of-the-art compliance system that features an ongoing educational seminar series is further evidence of the athletic department’s commitment to having a compliance-driven program that places a priority on integrity and student-athlete achievement.

The Athletic Department’s commitment to a high student-athlete graduation rate was evidenced by the creation of a new academic coordinator position, the development of a new ongoing student-athlete orientation program, the enhancement of existing academic support systems and the opening of the new Student-Athlete Academic Learning Center. As a result the cumulative GPA of all UTPA student-athletes has risen to 2.92, with 51 per cent of UTPA’s student-athletes earning a GPA of 3.0 or higher. UTPA was recently recognized with an inaugural USA Today/NCAA Foundation Academic Achievement Award for finishing in the Top 10 in student-athlete graduation rate above the student body average.

Another priority of Weidner’s is the establishment of a solid marketing and promotions strategy, as well as enhancing fund-raising and development efforts. New corporate sponsorship packages and increased advertising opportunities have enabled the business community throughout the Rio Grande Valley to become a viable partner in the success of UTPA Athletics. The revitalization of the Bronc Athletic Fund-Raising Organization has seen the appointment of a Board of Directors, the establishment of by-laws, a renewed recruitment effort to increase the BAF membership and significant results from the BAF’s fund raising efforts. These efforts have enabled UTPA’s athletic fund-raising to increase by 500 per cent since the program’s revival, and have laid a solid foundation upon which to build future successes.

The goal of making every home contest an event is evident to followers of Bronc Athletics, as the department has developed a “total involvement” program that includes upgraded game promotions. In addition, the UTPA Athletic Department has initiated new and exciting Community Involvement endeavors such as the “Adopt-a-School” and “Speakers Bureau” programs, which enables UTPA athletics to develop a true partnership with the local community. This concept has helped contribute to a remarkable turnaround in attendance at UTPA athletic events. Men’s basketball attendance improved dramatically, with a 127 per cent increase since the rebirth of the program with two consecutive sellouts of season tickets for home games for the first time in UTPA history. Women’s basketball attendance has also improved, and was recently highlighted by a single game record crowd. The baseball program has produced a 132 per cent increase in in ticket revenue in the past few years. All told, Bronc and Lady Bronc athletics have experienced their best consecutive years of attendance in recent memory.

In addition to developing radio and internet broadcast partnerships, the Athletic Department secured a television broadcast contract with FOX TV-17 for all men’s and women’s basketball home games during the 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 seasons. This exciting development, a first in UTPA’s athletic history, enabled UTPA games to be televised in South Texas and Northern Mexico to a viewership of over 800,000.

The athletic department has also made a commitment to improve existing athletic facilities. The baseball team now plays in a $6.5 million state-of-the-art complex. A direct result of a partnership between the City of Edinburg and UTPA, the facility features chairback seats with a capacity of 4,000, ten luxury boxes, spacious team locker rooms, batting cages, athletic training facilities and offices to house the coaching staff and team personnel. Previously, the playing field at Jody Ramsey Stadium was resurfaced and a new irrigation system was installed. The Cox Tennis Stadium and the track and field complex have also been renovated. Improvements at the UTPA Fieldhouse now benefit all of UTPA’s student-athletes. Men’s and women’s basketball and women’s volleyball now have spacious new locker rooms with adjoining team meeting rooms and new office suites. During the fall of 2003, UTPA opened the first-ever strength and conditioning facility for athletics. The athletic department’s administrative offices have also been expanded and remodeled in order to present a modern professional atmosphere.

Weidner came to UTPA after serving for three years as the Director of Athletics at Ashland University, an NCAA Division II powerhouse in northern Ohio. During his tenure at AU, the athletic department enjoyed tremendous success, both on the athletic field and in the academic arena.

The Eagles earned 17 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Team Championships and won three consecutive GLIAC All-Sports President’s Cups. Ashland also won the Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference title for the first time ever. On the national level, AU was ranked 11th, 16th and 22nd in the USA Today/Sears Director’s Cup points race, and produced 171 All-Americans, 30 Academic All-Americans and 12 national champions during Weidner’s three-year stay. Proving that excellence in athletics and academics can go hand-in-hand, AU student-athletes achieved a 2.88 cumulative Grade Point Average, with 140 athletes having a GPA exceeding 3.0, and 48 having a 3.5 or higher.

Prior to being named Athletic Director at AU, Weidner spent seven years at Southern Methodist University, where he served as an Assistant Athletic Director. Having arrived at SMU in 1988 shortly after their football team received the NCAA “Death Penalty,” Weidner was part of a team of athletic administrators that rebuilt the department. During his stay at SMU, the athletic program restored its reputation and developed into an NCAA compliance-driven program that experienced impressive results in the classroom and on the playing field. SMU athletics were ranked as high as 23rd in the nation by the USA Today/Sears Director’s Cup standings for overall athletic excellence, with many programs earning high national rankings. SMU was recognized by the College Football Coaches Association as one of only five Division I programs to graduate over 90 percent of its student-athletes.

Weidner has more than 20 years of experience in intercollegiate athletics as a coach and administrator, with an extensive background that includes a wide range of experiences at some of the finest institutions in the country. In addition to his AU and SMU experiences, he also served at Ohio State University (1985-86), Stanford University (1983-85), Murray State University (1986-88, 1982-83), Southern Connecticut State (1981-82) and the University of New Haven (1980-81).

Weidner earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education from Springfield College in 1979. He received his Master of Arts Degree in Education from Stanford in 1984.

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