FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Fairfield University Vice President for Athletics Paul Schlickmann has announced that four members of the Stags' administrative staff have received promotions ahead of the 2025-26 season. Dr. Brett Burchette has been named Executive Senior Associate Director of Athletics, while Dr. Kelly Bommer, Drew Kingsley and Sarah Ratchford have all been elevated to Senior Associate Directors of Athletics
 
"Our administration and support staff are essential to providing a championship-caliber experience for our student-athletes and first-class service to our external constituents," said Schlickmann. "I am pleased to recognize these four team members for their high-level impact on our success, their relentless work ethic, their belief in our vision, and their passionate support of our student-athletes and programs. Brett, Kelly, Drew, and Sarah are vital to our continued progression and are valued members of the campus community."
 
Dr. Brett Burchette is the Executive Senior Associate Director of Athletics and Director of Athletic Development at Fairfield, spearheading all efforts related to fundraising to support the Stags' 500 student-athletes. Burchette and his team raised more than $2.9 million in cash and over $4 million in commitments in the 2025 fiscal year, including all-time highs of 3,295 total gifts, $2.68 million in operational support and 1,599 gifts from former student-athletes.
 
Burchette is beginning his fourth year at Fairfield and has spent more than 25 years in development and administration. He is a 1997 graduate of Indiana University and earned a Master of Education with a concentration in Sport and Recreation Administration from Temple University in 2000. Burchette completed his Doctorate in Education at Drexel University in 2013.
 
Fairfield's Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Student-Athlete Services and Administration, Dr. Kelly Bommer returned to Fairfield in August of 2023. Her duties include oversight student-athlete services, including the Built for Life student development program, academics, sports medicine, and sports performance. She is also the sport supervisor for men's soccer, tennis, cross country and swimming and diving.
 
Bommer is a two-time Fairfield graduate, earning a B.S. in Management in 2017 and an MBA in in 2019. She completed a doctorate in Organizational Leadership and Learning from Gannon University in August of 2023 while serving as an Assistant Director of Athletics for the Golden Knights.
 
Drew Kingsley has been a part of the External Relations team at his alma mater since 2014 and currently serves as Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Communications and Content Strategy. His current role is focused on overseeing all content developed and distributed by the External Relations team to celebrate the Fairfield Stags story and gain visibility across a variety of platforms. Kingsley is the primary communications and media contact for men's basketball, volleyball, men's and women's lacrosse, cross country, tennis, golf, and athletics administration.
 
A 2007 Fairfield graduate with a B.A. in Communication, Kingsley is in his 18th year in athletics administration.
 
Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Marketing & Revenue Generation Sarah Ratchford is entering her ninth season at Fairfield. In her role, she heads all marketing, fan engagement, revenue generation, and community relations. Ratchford is also the supervisor of Fairfield's cheer and dance teams and the pep band.

Ratchford graduated from James Madison University with a B.S. in Sports Management in 2011 and earned an M.A. in Education Studies from Loyola Marymount University in 2017 while serving as a graduate assistant for the Lions.