“At the end of January, the University’s athletic director, John P. ‘Jack’ Weidenbach, retired after a very distinguished 28-year career as a University administrator,” Executive Vice President Farris W. Womack said. “We recommend that the Athletic Administration Building be named Weidenbach Hall in recognition of his great accomplishments in the Athletic Department.”
During his tenure, Weidenbach initiated “a departmentwide goal to enhance student support programs,” Womack noted. “His Michigan teams won 18 Big Ten championships and succeeded highly on the national level as well. During the 1992–93 athletic year, Michigan’s teams enjoyed one of the most successful seasons in history. The Wolverines secured seven conference championships and reached the NCAA Final Four basketball tournament twice.
“Jack’s most visible accomplishment is the improvement to the Athletic Department physical plant, which includes construction of Schembechler Hall, extensive Stadium renovations, Univer-sity Golf Course restoration, and the renovation and dedication of both the Cliff Keen Arena and the Marie Hartwig Administration Building.”
Weidenbach joined the Athletic Department in 1988 as senior associate director of athletics, became interim director in 1990 and director in 1991. Before joining the department, he held major administrative positions with the University.
The Regents’ resolution, which chronicled Weidenbach’s many accomplishments, concluded:
“Few people have had as broad an impact on the University as has Jack Weidenbach. In recognition of his distinguished contributions to the University, to the athletic department, and to the lives of its faculty, staff, and students, the Regents now name John P. (Jack) Weidenbach Director Emeritus of Athletics.”