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Paul Schlickmann was selected by President Mark R. Nemec, PhD as the seventh Director of Athletics at Fairfield University in the summer of 2017. He was elevated to the position of Vice President for Athletics in July of 2022. The hallmark of Schlickmann’s first six academic years with the Stags is the pursuit of comprehensive excellence in all aspects of the educational experience of student-athletes while positioning Athletics as a driver of campus spirit and pride and optimizing Athletics as an institutional vehicle to achieve national prominence.
As the foundational element to serve as the guidepost in their daily operations and aspirational pursuits, Schlickmann launched the “We Are Stags” initiative – a comprehensive statement of mission, vision and culture commitments. The tenets of
Stags Compete, Stags Care, Stags Lead, and Stags Grow have become a hallmark of the Fairfield Stags identity throughout campus, in the community and on social media.
In 2023-24, Fairfield won the MAAC Commissioner’s Cup for the first time since 2012. A representation of overall excellence across all sports, Fairfield posted the second-highest point total in Commissioner’s Cup history as well as the largest margin of victory in the final standings since 2009. The Stags also won their third consecutive MAAC Commissioner’s Cup for Women’s Sports and finished second on the Men’s Sports ledger. Overall, the 2023-24 academic year saw Fairfield earn four conference championships, seven regular season championships and five NCAA postseason appearances. The Stags also earned their first-ever national ranking in Women’s Basketball as well as the first national ranking in Women’s Lacrosse since 2009 and first NCAA at-large berth in both Fairfield and MAAC Women’s’ Lacrosse history.
Under Schlickmann’s leadership, the Stags have won 23 conference titles and 25 regular season titles – a tally that includes at least one conference crown for 11 of Fairfield's 20 varsity programs – with 21 NCAA postseason appearances. Fairfield has sent multiple teams and student-athletes to the NCAA Championship in each of the last seven years, and the Stags have won the MAAC Women’s Commissioner’s Cup four times in the last five seasons in addition to claiming the overall 2023-24 MAAC Commissioner's Cup.
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.
Fundraising has also been at an all-time high with Schlickmann leading the way. These advancement efforts have backed Fairfield’s commitment to a championship-caliber experience for all student-athletes, highlighted by the November 2022 opening of the Leo. D Mahoney Arena – a $51 million, donor funded, on-campus arena that serves as the home of Stags Basketball and Volleyball.
The son of a 1962 Fairfield graduate, Schlickmann was a four-year letter winner on the basketball team at Trinity (Conn.) College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies. Additionally, he holds a Master of Science degree in Physical Education/Sport Management from Springfield College.
Paul and his wife Kristin reside in Fairfield with their children, Mackenna and John.
