By Brittany Burke

Friday’s press conference rang in a new era for the Blue Devils athletics department as CCSU President Jack Miller named Paul Schlickmann, 44, the new Director of Athletics.

“The turn out today I think speaks to the passion and the pride that this campus has for their intercollegiate athletics program, and that’s a very important reason as to why I am here today,” Schlickmann said as he took his spot at the podium.

“To say it succinctly I am honored and thrilled to stand before you today as the next Director of Athletics at Central Connecticut State University. Honestly I could not be happier to be back here in Connecticut. Looking out into this crowd I really just want to say I just don’t think it gets any better than this.”

Schlickmann was welcomed into the Blue Devils community with an assembly of the school’s top coaches, athletes and community members. As Schlickmann was welcomed to the stage by President Miller, and presented with an official CCSU Blue Devils shirt and hat.

“I think we were given excellent choices from which to choose and I think we made the very best one and so I’m excited today as we move into this new era here of athletics at CCSU,” said Miller. “This is a new beginning and as with all new beginnings there will be steps along the way where we will learn.”

Both Schlickmann and Miller spoke about the three goals they hope to accomplish for the CCSU community, which includes graduating the student athletes, competing at the top level in NCAA Division I athletics and becoming economically viable athletics department.

Schlickmann was announced as the new Director of Athletics nine months after former Director of Athletics, Charles “CJ” Jones officially retired last July after 14 years as AD. Since his retirement faculty member and former faculty athletics representative Dr. Paul Resetarits has taken over as Interim Director of Athletics.

“It is no small task to replace a legend, someone who has given his entire professional life to this profession, this University and who is synonymous with Central Connecticut and Central Connecticut athletics,” Schlickmann said. “…my goal is to build upon the great tradition and success that you have established here.”

Schlickmann is returning to Connecticut, where he worked as the Associate Director of Athletics for Sports Administration and Football Operations at Yale University prior to accepting a job at Stony Brook in 2003. At Stony Brook he served as Chief Operating Officer, where he managed the day to day operations of the school’s athletic department.

While at Stony Brook Schlickmann implemented an $8 million renovation of the school’s facilities, while also planning other various projects equaling $30 million. He served on

the NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Committee from 2004-2008 and has served as the representative for the America East Championship/Competition Cabinet in each of the past seven years. Schlickmann was also a member of Stony Brook’s organization committee in 2006 when the school hosted the NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse quarterfinals.

“There’s actually a lot of similarities between Stony Brook and Central in terms of both large state institutions, and I think any time you make a transition it’s really just getting to know the school, trying to get around campus and meet everybody,” Schlickmann said.

Schlickmann will take over as Director of Athletics in June, during which time he will acclimate himself with his new surroundings.

“We’ll have what I like to call a 90-day action plan, and then the trademark of that is looking, listening and learning. So we’ll come in and we’ll meet with every staff member in the department and we’ll get to know a lot of people on the campus and we’ll get to know alums and a lot of the community members; get their perceptions on Central athletic and kind of pull it all together and move forward,” said Schlickmann.