The University of Chicago has selected its new swimming coach . . . finally. Jason Weber has been elevated to the position of Head Men's and Women's Swimming Coach/Director of Aquatics. He will assume the duties previously held by Shelia O'Connor and George Villareal who directed the women and men's teams separately. Weber spent the previous two years as Villareal's where he was involved in every phase of coaching, recruiting and administration. The position had been vacant for an extended period of time, initially because it was listed as a men's only position (O'Connor later elected to leave when her husband accepted a Division I soccer position in the East). The prestigious university was subsequently turned down after offering the position to one prominent coach. The University then went back into its a deep pool of cantidates, but was unable to bring some in because of scheduing conflicts. Eventually, however, the Maroons found their man in Weber.

Tom Weingartner, athletic director, introduced Weber, a 2000 Olympic Trials qualifier, who previously swam at Brown University as someone who, "Knows and understands selective research universities and the students who compete for them.

Weber earned his Master's degree in Sports Management form the University of San Francisco and later served as a sport partnership intern with the United States Olympic Committee in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Prior to his stint at the USOC, he was an assistant age group coach for Conejo Simi Aquatics in Thousand Oaks, Calif., from October 2002 to August 2003.

Weingartner added that Weber, "Joins the growing ranks of assistant coaches at the University who have been promoted to a head coaching position." The University, already one of the nation's most selective, boasts a dazzling new 50m facility, and Weber, Weingartner explained, "has much to contribute to making our swim program one of the best in the country."