April 20, 2005
ORLANDO - UCF director of athletics Steve Orsini announced Wednesday the hiring of Weber State athletics director William Weidner to fill the newly created deputy director of athletics position. In this role, Weidner will be responsible for a majority of the day-to-day operations of the department, a move that will free Orsini to devote more time to facilities development and fundraising within the athletics department.
"William has a tremendous amount of experience in college athletics and his expertise is in the area of administration," Orsini said. "He should make some great contributions to the department with his leadership qualities."
Weidner has more than 26 years experience in college athletics, including 12 years as an athletics director. Prior to his stint at Weber State, Weidner was the athletics director at Texas-Pan American and Ashland. Weidner also served seven years as an assistant athletic director at SMU.Weidner's extensive background includes a wide range of experiences at some of the finest institutions in the country.
In addition to his career in athletic administration, he also served on the football staffs at Ohio State (1985-86), Stanford (1983-85), Murray State (1986-88, 1982-83), Southern Connecticut State (1981-82) and 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.
The deputy director of athletics position is one of two staff positions added to the director of athletics office. Orsini also announced Wednesday the creation of the position of senior associate to the athletics director. That role will be assumed by Karl Mooney, who is making a transition to the athletics department after serving for as the director of UCF's Academic Services for Student Athletes office since August of 2001.
"Our goal at UCF is to become a top 25 program in each of the sports we offer, and I feel these two personnel moves will continue our advancement to those goals," Orsini added. "Our move to Conference USA along with the enhancement of our facilities makes this an important time in the history of the department. With the addition of these two positions, our goal to invest in people and facilities is solidified during this time of exciting growth at UCF."
Weidner is expected to report within 30 days, while Mooney will begin his new role immediately.
TRANSACTIONS: UCF names William Weidner deputy director of athletics and Karl Mooney senior associate to the athletics director.