WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – On Monday, University of Hartford Senior Associate Director of Athletics, Academics and Student-Athlete Success/Senior Woman Administrator Denise Marchese announced that Meaghan Abelein would be promoted to the Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Success & Compliance. 
 
"I am excited to welcome Meaghan to assume the role of Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Success and Compliance. Her energy and enthusiasm along with her coaching background, SAAC advising and internal athletic department operations experience will bring invaluable assets to this role in the day-to-day operations with student-athlete development." 

Abelein earned the promotion after being the Executive Assistant at the University of Hartford starting in November of 2024. In this new role Abelein assumes the responsibility for managing the offices of Athletics Academic Services and Athletics Compliance as well as being the advisor of Hartford's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). 

"I'm grateful for the opportunity to step into this role and continue growing at the University of Hartford. I want to thank Alicia Queally for her support and mentorship during my time at Hartford, and Denise Marchese for giving me the opportunity to take on this new role. I'm excited to continue working with our student-athletes and supporting their success in this next chapter."

Abelein has served as executive assistant for the past two years, playing a key role in the planning and execution of department events, including the golf classic and Lomaglio Day. She also oversaw the development of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) while providing executive administrative and analytical support to the Director of Athletics and Recreation.

"I am thrilled for Meaghan to take on this new role within our department", said Assistant Vice President for Athletics & Recreation Alicia Queally. "She has made tremendous impact within the department and with our student-athletes in her current role over the last two years, and we are lucky to keep her on staff as she transitions into this new administrative role within our department."

Abelein came to Hartford after serving as the Head Diving Coach and Aquatic Director at Smith College from 2018 to 2024. While at Smith College, Meaghan developed multiple NEWMAC diving finalist and NCAA regional qualifiers. 

Prior to her time in Northampton, Mass., Abelein served as the Athletic Communications Assistant and Diving Coach at The Catholic University of America. She rebuilt the diving program to the top-preforming program in the Landmark conference while managing day-to-day operations in the Sports Information office.

Meaghan earned her Bachelors from SUNY Geneseo in Communications, and her Associate of Applied Science from Monroe Community College in Massage Therapy.

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