Sacred Heart University

Christopher Velez, who was hired as the head equipment manager in March of 2016, became Associate Athletics Director for Business and Equipment Operations in July of 2023. That followed his promotion to Assistant Athletic Director for Sacred Heart’s Business and Equipment Operations in July of 2021.

In his new role, Velez has assumed the Business Manager duties as well as sport administrative oversight of SHU’s Men’s and Women’s Cross Country and Track & Field programs. He will continue to oversee the Equipment Rooms operations and assist with the Pioneers’ branding initiatives and maximization of the department’s Adidas and various equipment contracts.

Originally hired in 2016 as the Head Equipment Manager, Velez has been instrumental in the growth the department’s Equipment Room operations. He has assisted with the negotiation of the department’s current Adidas contract and streamlining of the department’s ordering, budgeting, and branding initiatives. He has also guided the expansion of services offered to SHU’s 1200 student athletes, coaches and staff through the designing of two new additional Equipment Rooms with the additions of the Bobby Valentine Recreation Center and the Martire Family Arena.

The SHU Athletics senior staff member came to SHU from the University of Delaware, where he served as the assistant equipment manager from 2013 to 2016.  He managed the Blue Hens’ day-to-day equipment operations for women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, field hockey, men’s and women’s swimming and women’s rowing all while assisting with football’s daily practice and home game operations. Velez also played a role in Delaware’s transition to their first all sport department wide contract with Adidas. 

Velez brings with him plenty of other collegiate athletic experiences with him to Fairfield as he has held the roles of Athletics Operations Coordinator at The California State University-Bakersfield (2013), Football Equipment Room Intern at Boston College (2012-13) and Varsity Sports Administration Intern at Yale (2011-12).

Velez is certified within the Athletic Equipment Manager Association. He completed his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business Management at Southern Connecticut State University in 2008, and his Master’s of Science degree in Management of Sports Industries at the University of New Haven in 2011.

A native of Wethersfield, Conn., he currently resides in Wallingford, Conn., with his wife, Corey, and two children, Cameron and Chloe.