Zach Dayton was elevated to Assistant Vice President for Athletics/Deputy Athletics Director at Fairfield University in July of 2021. He previously served as the Stags Deputy Athletic Director since October of 2019.
In this enhanced role, he will assume a leadership position in the daily operations of the department, in the formulation and execution of strategic initiatives and in the collaborative efforts of the senior management team to achieve championship caliber results.
Additionally, he oversees the department’s brand strategy, communications, ticket sales and operations, licensing, sponsorship program, social media, digital strategy, broadcast operations and community relations. He is the primary point person for the school’s relationship with Nike, Van Wagner Sports and Entertainment and Playfly Aspire. He also provides sport oversight for the men’s and women’s golf, baseball and women’s soccer programs. He serves as the secondary sport administrator for men’s basketball, women’s basketball and men’s lacrosse programs. He has been instrumental in the department’s comprehensive NIL/revenue sharing strategy including resource management, contracts development and external partnerships. As the lead marketing contact for the department, Dayton represents athletics on the university marketing team’s senior staff.
Dayton served as a member of a leadership group on campus that completed the $52 million Leo D. Mahoney Arena in November of 2022. Mahoney Arena, located in the middle of Fairfield’s campus, serves as a centerpiece for the greater community. Dayton and his team spearheaded several business relationships to enhance the fan experience as the arena was being completed including partnerships with Paciolan, Playfly Aspire, Van Wagner, Vozzi and Fevo.
Revenue generation has been a focused area of growth during Dayton’s tenure with the Stags. Ticket sales, licensing royalties and sponsorships have all reached record highs in the last four academic years.
Dayton has worked on over $70 Million in capital projects over the 11 years he has been on campus inclusive of Mahoney Arena, a hitting/pitching barn, various locker room upgrades, basketball practice facility enhancement and various field/stadium upgrades.
During Dayton’s tenure at Fairfield, the Stags Sports Network has been established as the official broadcast arm of Fairfield Athletics to facilitate all on campus streaming contests which included the creation of multiple ESPN studios on campus. In 2025-26, the Stags Sports Network streamed nearly 150 contests including over 80 ESPN+ productions.
Dayton lead the effort to bring the Premier Lacrosse League to Rafferty Stadium each of the last four summers. Each year, the four-game series has sold out and multiple broadcasts have been produced in ABC and ESPN in front of a national audience.
Dayton came to Fairfield after serving as the Assistant Athletic Director for External Operations at Pace University since 2013. At Pace, he was responsible for the Marketing/Sponsorships, Communications and Alumni Relations units of the Athletics Department while also serving as the lead administrator for the University’s licensing program. He supervised the spirit programs and was the sport administrator for the men’s and women’s cross country teams. Prior to this role, he held the position of Assistant Athletics Director for Marketing and Promotions from 2011-2013.
In 2013-14, Dayton and his team redesigned the athletics website and transitioned to a new URL PaceUAthletics.com. In addition, he managed the Setters Club, the fundraising arm of the athletic department which saw an increase of 83 percent under his guidance.
In 2011, Dayton spearheaded an agreement with Licensing Resource Group (now CLC Learfield IMG College) to trademark all of the University's marks and served as the primary licensing contact for the university. He also was instrumental in the establishment of PaceTeamShop.com. Over his four-year tenure, Pace University Athletics was recognized for their marketing efforts with five NACMA awards.
Dayton, a Pace alumnus, was a four-year member of the Setters’ baseball team from 2006-09. He was a captain in his senior year and served as a key part of a pitching staff that led the nation in ERA in 2008. Dayton also participated on Pace’s golf team as a graduate student. In addition, he joined the Lubin School of Business at Pace as an adjunct faculty member in the fall of 2014.
Throughout his career, Dayton has been an active member of the National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators serving as a panelist at the national convention and serving on NACMA committees annually. In June of 2020, he began a four-year term on the NACMA Board of Directors. He currently serves as President of the organization for the 2025-26 school year.
Dayton graduated from Pace with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration/Management in 2009 from the Lubin School of Business. He earned his Master’s Degree in Public Administration/Government in 2011 from the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences. He lives in Stratford, CT with his wife Evann and daughter’s Caroline and Madison.
