Trainor and Higbee Assume New Roles in Razorback Athletics

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Long-time University of Arkansas sports information director Kevin Trainor has assumed a new role within Razorback Athletics as the associate athletic director for public relations and executive communications. Associate media relations director Zack Higbee has been named director of football media relations, it was announced by Jeff Long, vice chancellor and director of athletics.

Trainor, who has been serving as the associate athletic director for media relations and communications, will be responsible for coordinating public relations for Razorback Athletics as a member of the department’s senior and executive staffs. He will oversee the production of Inside Razorback Athletics, the department’s newspaper, the annual report and other departmental communication projects. Trainor will be the athletic department’s public relations and communications liaison with the office of university relations, the Razorback Foundation, the National Football Foundation and other department constituencies. He will also be the primary sport administrator for the Razorbacks’ perennially nationally ranked baseball program.

“As we expand the public relations outreach of the entire Razorback program, Kevin will continue to serve as a key member of our administrative team in his new role,” Long said. “His many years of experience in media relations and with the program will help us brand Razorback Athletics locally, regionally and nationally. Kevin will also have an opportunity to add to his administrative experience by working day-to-day with Coach Dave Van Horn and our baseball program.” 

Trainor is in his 16^th year with the Razorbacks, serving the past 10 years as the head of the Razorbacks’ media relations office.

Higbee will take over lead media relations responsibilities for the Razorback football program. Higbee joined the University of Arkansas in January 2009 after six and a half years as one of the primary football contacts at the University of Florida. Higbee will continue his work with Arkansas head football coach Bobby Petrino, assistant coaches and student-athletes as well as coordinating the administrative duties associated with football media relations. Prior to his stint at Florida, Higbee worked at the University of Connecticut after graduating from the University of Oklahoma.

“Zack has done an excellent job working with our football program since he arrived at the University of Arkansas,” Long said. “His media relations experience in college football will continue to be a benefit to our coaches and student-athletes as well as generate regional and national exposure for our football program.”   

The media relations office moves forward under the direction of newly created Media Relations team that includes Higbee, Associate Media Relations Directors Jeri Thorpe and Phil Pierce and Assistant Athletic Director Bill Smith. The Media Relations team is responsible for establishing policies for the department as well as handling the day-to-day media relations duties for all 19 Razorback teams.