University of Richmond Athletics
Spider Athletics Announces Staff Promotions
09/03/2021 | General, Spider Athletic Fund
RICHMOND, Va. – University of Richmond Vice President and Director of Athletics John P. Hardt announced the elevations of Chris Schaefer to Associate Athletic Director for Development and Kate Sirc to Associate Athletic Director for Business Operations Friday.
"We are excited to recognize the great work performed by both Kate and Chris, and elevate each of them into more prominent roles in our athletic administration," Hardt said. "They have both proven themselves as dedicated and talented professionals in their time at Richmond, especially in facing the many challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Each of these promotions is the direct result of hard work and commitment in support of our Spider student-athletes, coaches and staff."
Schaefer moves into his new role after spending the past 17 months as the Assistant Athletic Director for Annual Giving with the Spider Athletic Fund. Schaefer has spent the past couple of months leading the department's fundraising efforts and led the Spider Club's rebranding to the Spider Athletic Fund during the past year.
Under his guidance, the SAF has posted back-to-back strong years in annual giving. The SAF saw an eight percent increase in annual giving in the 2020 fiscal year and a nine percent increase in 2021. Those accomplishments were reached despite working with the constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic. He spent the previous seven years at Old Dominion, including the three years as the Director of Development for the Old Dominion Athletic Foundation. He oversaw and managed the ODU Annual Fund that had an $850,000 (31%) increase in 2019.
Sirc is in her seventh year working in the Spider Athletics Department. She had previously spent six years as the Athletic Business Manager and was elevated into her new role this summer. She was responsible for many of the financial functions for the Business Office, handling various Human Resource tasks and issues, and overseeing the camp and clinic program. In her new role she oversees the daily operations of the Athletics Business Office, Equipment Services, and serves as the primary liaison with Human Resources.
Prior to coming to Richmond, Sirc worked in campus recreation at Loyola University Maryland as the assistant director of recreational sports. She managed a competitive club sports program as well as a robust intramural program. She began her career in financial development at US Lacrosse, the national governing body of the sport, in Baltimore, Md.
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"We are excited to recognize the great work performed by both Kate and Chris, and elevate each of them into more prominent roles in our athletic administration," Hardt said. "They have both proven themselves as dedicated and talented professionals in their time at Richmond, especially in facing the many challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Each of these promotions is the direct result of hard work and commitment in support of our Spider student-athletes, coaches and staff."
Schaefer moves into his new role after spending the past 17 months as the Assistant Athletic Director for Annual Giving with the Spider Athletic Fund. Schaefer has spent the past couple of months leading the department's fundraising efforts and led the Spider Club's rebranding to the Spider Athletic Fund during the past year.
Under his guidance, the SAF has posted back-to-back strong years in annual giving. The SAF saw an eight percent increase in annual giving in the 2020 fiscal year and a nine percent increase in 2021. Those accomplishments were reached despite working with the constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic. He spent the previous seven years at Old Dominion, including the three years as the Director of Development for the Old Dominion Athletic Foundation. He oversaw and managed the ODU Annual Fund that had an $850,000 (31%) increase in 2019.
Sirc is in her seventh year working in the Spider Athletics Department. She had previously spent six years as the Athletic Business Manager and was elevated into her new role this summer. She was responsible for many of the financial functions for the Business Office, handling various Human Resource tasks and issues, and overseeing the camp and clinic program. In her new role she oversees the daily operations of the Athletics Business Office, Equipment Services, and serves as the primary liaison with Human Resources.
Prior to coming to Richmond, Sirc worked in campus recreation at Loyola University Maryland as the assistant director of recreational sports. She managed a competitive club sports program as well as a robust intramural program. She began her career in financial development at US Lacrosse, the national governing body of the sport, in Baltimore, Md.
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