FAIRFIELD, Conn – Fairfield University's Director of Athletics Paul Schlickmann has been elevated to Vice President for Athletics, with a signed contract extension to remain with the Stags through the 2026-27 academic year. The move was announced by Fairfield University president Mark R. Nemec, PhD in July.  Schlickmann assumed the Director of Athletics position at Fairfield beginning in the 2017-18 season. 
 
"Paul has made tremendous contributions to the growth and vitality of our athletics programs, which we see reflected in our teams' competitive performances, in their pursuit of excellence as student leaders, and in their outstanding commitment in the classroom," said President Nemec. "As Fairfield rises as a modern, Jesuit, Catholic university of national prominence, we also see our athletics programs growing in reputation and stature, performing at the highest level. Paul has played an essential role in this success. I am confident that our Stags athletics will continue to thrive and rise under Paul's stewardship."
 
"I am grateful to President Nemec and our Board of Trustees for their demonstration of confidence and trust in me with this contract extension," Schlickmann said. "It is an honor to be a part of the Fairfield University family and to work collaboratively with an exceptional senior leadership team that has positioned Fairfield University on an unprecedented trajectory.  I am privileged to work alongside some of the most talented student-athletes, coaches and staff in the country who inspire me daily with their dedication and their commitment to our mission and our vision."
 
During Schlickmann's five-year tenure at Fairfield, the Stags have won 16 conference titles and 14 regular season titles – a tally that includes at least one conference crown for eight different varsity programs – with 14 NCAA postseason appearances. Fairfield is one of only two MAAC institutions to have sent multiple teams to the NCAA Championship in each of the last five years, and the Stags have won the MAAC Women's Commissioner's Cup twice in the last three seasons.
 
In the classroom, at least 50 percent of student-athletes have earned a place on the University Dean's List (3.5 GPA) in every semester of Schlickmann's tenure, and Fairfield has consistently ranked among the MAAC and NCAA leaders in graduation success rate. In the recently completed spring 2022 semester, Fairfield's student-athletes aggregated a 3.42 semester GPA, as 394 Stags posted an individual GPA of 3.0 or higher highlighted by 258 tabbed for the Dean's List (3.5 or higher).
 
Fundraising has also been at an all-time high with Schlickmann leading the way, highlighted by a record-setting $1.3 million raised this past April on STAGiving Day. These comprehensive advancement efforts have backed Fairfield's commitment to create a championship-caliber experience for all student-athletes, with numerous significant additions and enhancements to multiple on-campus facilities either completed or in-progress since 2017. 
 
These projects include a modernized academic success suite in the Walsh Athletic Center, a fueling station in the Sports Performance room, the Pino Golf Studio, an indoor hitting/pitching facility, an indoor Rowing Training Center, a natural grass practice field, eight varsity program locker room upgrades and the scheduled replacement of the Rafferty Stadium turf this summer.  Greatly anticipated and on-target to open in November is the new, state of the art $51 million, donor funded, on-campus arena that will be the home of Stags Basketball and Volleyball.
 
The driving force behind all of Fairfield's recent success is the "We Are Stags" initiative unveiled in the fall of 2019. "We Are Stags" encompasses the mission, vision and culture commitments – Stags Compete, Stags Care, Stags Lead and Stags Grow – that serve as the daily guideposts for Fairfield student-athletes in competition, in the classroom and in the community.  The initiative was developed by Schlickmann with the guidance of Matt Davidson, president of the Excellence with Integrity Institute, in a comprehensive process involving coaches, staff, student-athletes, university leadership and alumni. The essence of "We Are Stags" is a progressive program to foster student-athletes in becoming the best version of themselves with a "Promise" that they are Built for Life upon graduation.