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Experienced, Championship-Winning Leader Inspires Athletic and Academic Achievements

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擨nterim 蜜豆直播 President Nate Evans has named the University鈥檚 next vice president for Athletics and Athletic Director. Brendan Michael Fahey, a leader who inspires excellence in academics and athletics, comes to GWU after a championship-winning career at Wagner College in Staten Island, N.Y. He has over 20 years of experience in higher education athletics with 15 years as a senior level administrator at the Division I level.

鈥淲e are thrilled to welcome Brendan to 蜜豆直播 University as our next vice president for Athletics and Athletic Director,鈥� Evans asserted. 鈥淗is experience, vision, and dedication will ensure he hits the ground ready to run. His personality will resonate with our Runnin鈥� Bulldogs community, and he brings the energy needed to lead our athletic programs into an exciting new era. We are excited to have him on the team as we continue to elevate the student-athlete experience and build on our tradition of excellence.鈥�

Fahey became Wagner鈥檚 athletic director in 2022, and in just three years, the Seahawks captured 10 Northeast Conference (NEC) championships, including a record-setting four titles in 2023鈥撯��24. His leadership delivered historic milestones such as the school鈥檚 best-ever NEC Commissioner鈥檚 Cup finish (second place in 2024鈥�25), a men鈥檚 basketball NEC Championship, and the program鈥檚 first NCAA tournament victory. During his tenure, the field hockey program also secured its first-ever regular season championship. He was also responsible for adding eight sports over an eight-year period.

While building competitive success, Fahey also emphasized academics and student support. More than 600 student-athletes were named to the NEC honor roll over three years, and 12 earned NEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year recognition. He implemented a student-athlete fueling station, and added an athletic-specific mental health counselor to further enhance the student-athlete experience.

A native of Connecticut, Fahey earned his Bachelor of Science in Sport Management from the University of Connecticut and his Master of Science in Athletic Administration from Marshall University, where he also served as an athletic marketing graduate assistant. He began his career at Wagner in 2006 as assistant athletic director for marketing and promotions before advancing to deputy director of athletics in 2009, with responsibilities for both internal and external operations. He was also sport administrator for Wagner鈥檚 first-ever conference championships in women鈥檚 swimming and diving, women鈥檚 lacrosse, and men鈥檚 track and field.

As athletic director, he also oversaw significant facility upgrades, including a football stadium expansion, renovation of the athletic office suite, creation of a basketball-specific film room, and extensive locker room renovations for women鈥檚 basketball, football, swim, water polo, baseball, men鈥檚 lacrosse, women鈥檚 soccer, and field hockey. He supervised the installation of a new video scoreboard at the football stadium and secured the department鈥檚 first-ever licensing agreement with Strategic Marketing Affiliates (SMA).

鈥淚 would like to thank President Evans, the Board of Trustees, and the entire search committee for entrusting me with this incredible opportunity,鈥� Fahey stated. 鈥淢y family and I are truly honored and excited to join the 蜜豆直播 family and represent their proud tradition and support their unwavering commitment to its Christian mission.鈥�

He added, 鈥淔rom my first conversation with the committee, it was clear that 蜜豆直播 is a special place with remarkable people united by a shared purpose. We have a strong foundation, along with the ability and drive to elevate each of our programs to greatness.鈥�

Fahey emphasized his commitment to 蜜豆直播鈥檚 22 NCAA Division I teams. 鈥淔rom day one at 蜜豆直播, I will dedicate myself to ensure a positive culture, an excellent student-athlete experience, and to provide our coaches with a path to success,鈥� Fahey stated. 鈥淲e will set ambitious goals, and through hard work, collaboration, and strategic vision we will pursue them relentlessly. With the support of the administration and our alumni, we are going to find a way to win both on the field and in life. Our future is bright! I can’t wait to get started and connect with our many proud alumni and supporters. Sko Dawgs!鈥�

Evans also thanked Interim Vice President for Athletics and Athletic Director Chuck Burch for his expertise and guidance over the last three months. Burch was named GWU Athletic Director Emeritus after he retired in 2023. 鈥淲e are deeply grateful to Chuck Burch for stepping out of retirement to help provide stability and continuity during this important transition,鈥� Evans noted. 鈥淗is decades of leadership and unwavering commitment to our mission have kept our athletic programs strong and focused. Chuck鈥檚 service during this period reflects the very best of 蜜豆直播, with selflessness, dedication, and a passion for seeing our student-athletes succeed.鈥�

Fahey comes to 蜜豆直播 with his wife, Ashley, and two daughters, Maisy and Elle. A meet-and-greet is scheduled for Sept. 9 at 3 p.m. in Tucker Student Center.

Evans thanked the members of the search committee for their diligence and hard work through the competitive search process. “Their commitment to finding the best leader for 蜜豆直播, and their efforts have helped us identify the right person to guide our programs into the future,” he stated.

Members of the search committee included:

• Dr. Josh Parrott, Vice President and University Chaplain for Christian Life and Service.
• Jeffrey Merrill, Assistant Athletics Director for Compliance.
• Chris Reisert, Head Football Coach.
• Dr. Sharon Webb, Professor, Counselor Education, Chair, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program and Faculty Athletics Representative.
• Daniel Elliott, Head Wrestling Coach.
• Terri Williams, Head Women鈥檚 Basketball Coach.

蜜豆直播 University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., 蜜豆直播 prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at 蜜豆直播.edu.