Collegiate Times

Virginia Tech Athletic Director Jim Weaver, 61, was diagnosed with Parkinson?s disease in 2004. According university spokesman Larry Hincker, university officials have known about the diagnosis for several years.

The information had been previously unreleased for personal medical reasons. Hincker added that he did not feel that the disease would limit Weaver?s ability to operate as the athletic director.

"There are lots of people who work with Parkinson?s disease," Hincker said. "The Attorney General under Clinton had Parkinson?s disease. President Kennedy had Parkinson?s disease. There?s no reason he couldn?t work."

Weaver was unavailable for comment last night, as were other members of the Virginia Tech Athletic Department.

Hincker confirmed a brief that appeared on the Roanoke Times website late last night that Weaver was displaying only minor symptoms, including shaking in his left hand.

Though Hincker said much of the university?s management was aware of Weaver?s condition, university provost Mark McNamee had not heard of the diagnosis.

"I didn?t know that (Weaver had Parkinson?s disease)," McNamee said. "I was aware he had some health problems ? He?s an individual in the prime of his health, I certainly wish him the best."

Associate media relations director for the athletic department Anne Panella also stated that she was unaware of Weaver?s diagnosis.

According to the National Parkinson Foundation, Parkinson?s is a brain disorder that results from the loss of nervous cells which coordinate smooth movement. Symptoms include shaking, slow movement and muscle rigidity. Though several medicines can treat the symptoms of Parkinson?s, there is no known cure. The NPF estimates that 1.5 million Americans have the disorder, including Muhammad Ali and actor Michael J. Fox.

Weaver has been athletic director at Virginia Tech since 1997, when he came to Tech from Western Michigan University. Weaver was instrumental in coordinating Tech?s move into the ACC and the expansion of Lane Stadium.