Bio

Danielle Doerfler was promoted to Director of Athletics in July of 2022. She spent the last four years as the Associate Director of Athletics under Maria Buckel at Fontbonne.

During her time at Fontbonne, Doerfler has helped to develop services within not only the athletic department but also the university. Some of those developments include:

• Created the Athletics, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee and Athletics Mental Health Committee.
• Brought women’s power half hour (an initiative to empower the females within the athletic department and provide mentorship discussions and opportunities for support).
• Developed “Becoming a Griffin” orientation specifically for student-athletes to address vital information to incoming freshmen and transfers about athletic department policies, procedures, and expectations.
• In 2020, assisted in scoreboard and gym renovations as well as creation of the Lee McKinney Memorial Golf Tournament.
• Signed a multi-year contract with HUDL to improve livestream, video feedback, and recruitment, and she also continued Fontbonne’s relationship and contract with BSN/Nike.
• Enrolled Fontbonne in the Chi Alpha Sigma, a National Honor Society for Collegiate Athletes.
• Named Deputy IX Coordinator.

Doerfler has been serving as Chair of the SLIAC Administrative Council, and member of Women’s Leaders in Sports.

Prior to Fontbonne, Doerfler spent 10 years at MacMurray College. She started in 2009 being the Director/Assistant Professor of Physical Education. In 2011, she was named the Head Women's Volleyball Coach and continued to hold that position for eight years. In 2012, Doerfler was the Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) Advisor and was also appointed as the Senior Woman Administrator. In 2014, her expansion at MacMurray continued where she was named the Title IX Coordinator. Finally, in 2016, Doerfler was named the Assistant Athletic Director.

During her spare time, she is actively involved in the Cystic Fibrosis Gateway Chapter. She is also the founder and president of Jan and Jeffrey Thompson Foundation, a non-for-profit that focuses on organ donation and cystic fibrosis research and awareness.

She's a graduate of Illinois College with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education, Health Endorsement. She went on to Canisius College to earn her Master of Science in Physical Education/Sports Management.   

Doerfler resides in St. Louis with her two dogs, Maggie May and Eeyore.

Updated on 02/11/2024