The Maryville Athletics legacy continues with its new director at the helm.
[St. Louis, MO, October 11, 2023] – Maryville University proudly announces the promotion of Brittany Clarke Fennell to the role of Athletic Director, effective 2024. Fennell has been an integral part of Maryville’s athletics program, serving as Associate Athletic Director (AAD) and Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) since July 2016. Her dedication, leadership, and commitment to student-athletes have earned her this well-deserved promotion.
In her current role as AAD and SWA, Fennell has overseen key aspects of the athletics department, including NCAA compliance efforts, financial aid coordination, academic support, and Title IX compliance. Furthermore, she has served as the sport administrator for women’s basketball, men’s and women’s golf, tennis and lacrosse programs, bringing her expertise and passion every step of her journey.
President Mark Lombardi, PhD, expressed his congratulations, stating, “Brittany’s promotion to Athletic Director is a testament to her exceptional dedication and leadership within our university community. Her commitment to our student-athletes’ success and the growth of our athletics program is beyond commendable. We look forward to her continued success in this new capacity.”
Fennell’s contributions extend beyond the Maryville campus. She has been an active member of the NCAA Division II regional women’s golf committee and has participated in several conference committees. Her dedication to both Maryville University and the broader collegiate athletics community is exemplary.
Vice President of Student Life, Raphaella Prange, added her congratulations, saying, “Brittany’s impact on the lives of our student-athletes both on and off campus is immeasurable. Her unwavering commitment to their success, both on and off the field, has made her an invaluable member of our community. Brittany’s passion for building collective partnerships and inclusion will create even stronger connections between our athletics programs and campus community. We are excited to see the positive changes she will bring as the new Athletic Director.”
Prior to joining Maryville University, Fennell gained valuable experience at the University of Central Florida (UCF), where she held positions as Assistant Director-Monitoring and later Associate Director of Compliance, overseeing eligibility for a substantial student-athlete population. She also served as a compliance assistant at Eastern Michigan University and interned at the University of Michigan.
Originally from Dayton, Ohio, she earned her undergraduate degree in English from the University of Michigan. Subsequently, she completed her master’s degree in higher education-student affairs at Eastern Michigan University.
Fennell will officially assume her new role as Athletic Director at Maryville University in 2024. She states, “The opportunity to serve in this role helps to continue the tradition of excellence that Maryville is known for. It is my goal to grow the university’s athletics program and take it to new heights that undeniably serve Maryville and our broader community.”
Maryville announced the retirement of AD Lonnie Folks earlier this year, commemorating his legacy he achieved during his time at Maryville. Folk’s commitment over two decades has laid the groundwork that will continue to reap positive returns for years to come.
For media inquiries or to schedule an interview with Brittany Clarke Fennell, please contact Gabrielle Young at gyoung@big5vn.com or Raphaella Prange at rprange@big5vn.com.
About Maryville University
Founded in 1872, Maryville University is a comprehensive and nationally ranked private institution with an enrollment of 10,000 students. Maryville offers over 90 degrees at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels, as well as several certificates that align with the undergraduate and graduate education levels. Maryville is recognized as the second fastest-growing private university in the United States by The Chronicle of Higher Education, serving students from all 50 states and 56 countries. More than 17,000 Maryville alumni work and live in the St. Louis region.