April 9, 2010

New Britain, Conn. - Stony Brook University Executive Associate Director of Athletics Paul Schlickmann was named the new Director of Athletics at Central Connecticut State University by President Jack Miller at a press conference Friday morning. In his role as Director of Athletics, Schlickmann will be charged with running the Blue Devils' 18-sport Division I athletics program. The Blue Devils will celebrate a milestone in 2010-11 as they obtained NCAA Division I status 25 years ago.

"Paul Schlickmann is the perfect choice for Director of Athletics at Central Connecticut State University," Stony Brook Director of Athletics Jim Fiore said. "He is a tremendously talented leader with impeccable character and integrity. Paul has high standards that will raise the overall level of performance in the athletic department. Most importantly, Central Connecticut has secured an administrator who understands that the proper role of intercollegiate athletics is to advance the educational mission of the university. I applaud President Miller as he has made an enlightened choice."

The Chief Operating Officer at Stony Brook for the past seven years, Schlickmann managed the daily operations of the athletics department. He had direct oversight of over 30 full-time professional staff in several areas of the department, including external services, business operations, facility operations, planning and capital projects and all personnel matters. As a member of the senior management team, Schlickmann managed department strategic planning initiatives, policy and procedure development and implementation, the coordination of short- and long-term facility improvements and capital projects, and all facets of fund raising, corporate development and revenue generation.

"I am honored and thrilled to be the next Director of Athletics at Central Connecticut State University," Schlickmann said. "Central has an impressive history of success and there is a palpable sense of pride about athletics throughout the campus community. I am excited to work with President Miller in achieving his vision for Blue Devil Athletics to be the premier program in the Northeast Conference."

During his tenure, Schlickmann was responsible for a dramatic overhaul of Stony Brook's athletic facilities. In addition to successfully completing facility renovation and improvement projects totaling more than $8 million, he also managed the planning and design of another $30 million in capital projects.

Schlickmann was elected to a four-year term on the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Committee from 2004-08, and served as chair of that committee in 2007. He has been Stony Brook's representative on the America East Championship/Competition Cabinet for each of the past seven years. He also served as the chair of Stony Brook's organizing committee when the school hosted the 2006 NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse quarterfinals and was active on three strategic committees appointed by the President. These included the Five Year Plan Task Force on Student Experience, the Campus Climate Task Force and the Campus Council on Diversity and Affirmative Action.

Schlickmann arrived at Stony Brook in August of 2003 after serving as the Associate Director of Athletics for Sports Administration and Football Operations at Yale University. He supervised the daily internal operations of 35 intercollegiate programs as a member of the Yale senior management team. Schlickmann was the sport administrator for the men's soccer and men's lacrosse programs while also overseeing event operations. He has over 19 years of experience in intercollegiate athletics as an administrator and a coach.

Schlickmann began his career in college athletics in 1989 as an assistant men's basketball coach for two years at Worcester State College before moving on to graduate school at Springfield College. He worked as both an assistant men's basketball coach and a graduate assistant to the Director of Athletics at Springfield.

A native of Worcester, Mass., Schlickmann earned his Bachelor of Arts in American Studies in 1989 from Trinity College, where he was a four year member of the men's basketball team. He earned his Master of Science degree in Sport Administration from Springfield College in 1995 and is a 2008 graduate of the highly regarded Sports Management Institute. He is engaged to Kristin Meyer of White River Junction, VT. They will be married in July 2010. Schlickmann will officially begin with the Blue Devils in June.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT Paul Schlickmann

University of Connecticut Director of Athletics Jeff Hathaway
"Paul is an excellent selection as the Director of Athletics for Central Connecticut State University. He is already recognized as one of the outstanding athletic administrators in the nation. Paul is committed to the academic success of the student-athletes as well as their athletic endeavors. He will be active member of the University community and become a familar face to all members of the Blue Devil family - past, present and future."

Northeast Conference Commissioner Noreen Morris
"Paul Schlickmann is an excellent choice as the next athletic director at Central Connecticut State University. I have known Paul for many years and it is clear that he has the experience, work ethic, passion and vision to lead the Blue Devil family to great heights. I am excited to welcome him to the Northeast Conference."

Stony Brook University Head Men's Basketball Coach Steve Pikiell
"The hiring of Paul Schlickmann is a home run for Central Connecticut State University. Having worked at Central and growing up a Blue Devil fan, Central holds a special place in my heart. This is a tremendous hire for the Blue Devils. Paul is young, bright and hard-working. I have worked with him for a long time, going back to our time at Yale and now at Stony Brook, and he is a talented individual who will do great things for Central. He will be active in the community and I know he is the right man for the job. Paul Schlickmann will be a great leader for the Blue Devils."

America East Conference Commissioner Patrick Nero
"Paul had a tremendous positive impact at Stony Brook and the America East Conference. His understanding of the value of intercollegiate athletics in higher education will allow him to be a great leader for Central Connecticut and an excellent educator for its student-athletes."

Yale University Director of Athletics Thomas Beckett
"Central Connecticut State University has made the outstanding appointment of Paul Schlickmann as their Director of Athletics. Paul is a rising star in college athletic administration. He is an outstanding leader and he is passionate about providing the best experience for student-athletes, while striving for high achievement in both the classroom and on the fields of competition. We are thrilled for Paul and our friends at Central Connecticut State University."

University of Hartford Director of Athletics Patricia Meiser
"Paul Schlickmann is one of the bright young administrators in college athletics. I have had the opportunity to work with Paul in the America East Conference over the last few years. He is bright, knowledgeable and an incredibly positive educator. He will be a tremendous asset to Central Connecticut State University and the New England region."