Tributes Pour in as Former University of Michigan Athletic Director Passes Away at 99

Published 02/18/2024, 9:05 AM EST

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Michigan lost a legendary member of their sports history on Saturday, as former Athletic Director Jack Weidenbach passed away at the age of 99. The University announced his passing and paid tribute to the towering figure whose legacy lives through the main athletic administration building that bears his name.

His contributions to the university were immeasurable, and his passing marks the end of an era for Michigan. Since arriving in 1966, Weidenbach rose through the ranks and held significant positions, such as director of business operations and manager of the physical plant. His dedication and mastery earned him universal admiration from the Michigan community.

Michigan University bids farewell to a legend

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In the year 1988, Weidenbach climbed to the esteemed position of senior associate director of athletics. It was a true testament to his exceptional leadership skills and dedication.

Just four years later, in 1990, he reached the peak of his professional career when they elected him as the seventh athletic director of Michigan, succeeding the renowned Bo Schembechler.

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Weidenbach earned his recognition in the University for his role as athletic director. With him at the helm, Michigan athletics soared to great heights and opportunities to excel increased.

Notably, he was a fervent supporter of women’s athletics, constantly striving to elevate their visibility and importance within the university’s sporting community.

Tributes pour in for the great man

As we reflect on Weidenbach’s remarkable impact, Warde Manuel, the current athletic director at Michigan, showered great praise. In his view, Weidenbach was not just an “unbelievable athletic director,” but also possessed an exceptional business acumen.

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Manuel expressed gratitude for Weidenbach’s mentorship during the early stages of his career. He acknowledged the profound influence he had not only on him, but on many others as well.

“Jack was an unbelievable athletic director and an exceptional business mind who mentored me early in my career. I was blessed to spend time with him on multiple occasions since I returned to UM. My thoughts and prayers go out to Jack’s family and friends.”

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Weidenbach’s presence can only be compared to that of a guiding light, illuminating the way for future athletes and leaders. His unwavering dedication to excellence, coupled with his unparalleled vision and determination, continues to serve as a source of inspiration for all those who strive to follow in his footsteps.

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Written by:

Allen James

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Allen James is a writer at EssentiallySports who covers Cycling, MotoGP, Combat sports, and other trending moments in the sports realm. With a degree in mass communication, Allen is putting his learnings to the best use in covering a wide array of viral topics. He loves diving into the conversations surrounding his work, soaking up the various perspectives out there, and then using them as inspiration in his craft. It’s this very curiosity that turns him into a bonafide sports nerd!
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Edited by:

Caroline Joseph