RACHEL BURLESON
Nike Division II Executive of the Year
Director of Athletics, Franklin Pierce University
Rachel Burleson is entering her eighth year as director of athletics at Franklin Pierce University. Under Rachel’s leadership, Pierce athletics has taken flight at the local and national level. Through her vision, Franklin Pierce has expanded to 24 athletic programs that set a strong foundation for student-athletes to compete on the field, excel in the classroom, and prepare for a meaningful and successful career in the years following graduation.
Since Rachel’s arrival, FPU athletics has reeled in three Division II national championships, two DII national coach-of-the-year awards, dozens of NCAA playoff appearances, the NE10 President’s Cup, and 18 Northeast-10 Player-of-the-Year awards.
While Raven athletes win on the field, under Rachel’s direction they’re also building a culture as retention on campus has skyrocketed. Her focus on modernizing facilities, growing community involvement, and boosting the student-athlete experience gives each person a place to feel welcome and at home during their four years on campus.
Rachel’s philosophy spotlights making the best of every season while raising the bar for the seasons to come. Connecting past, current and future FPU athletes, she leads the charge for what it truly means to be a Raven.
During the 2023-2024 academic year, the Ravens earned their second consecutive men’s soccer national championship and reached the postseason in 19 of 23 sports. Rachel represented Franklin Pierce University as a member of the DII ADA Women and Minorities Mentoring program for the second time, was the women’s rowing liaison for the Coaches Connector program, the first ever woman to serve on the DII Men’s Lacrosse National Committee, and member of the DII ADA Executive Board, representing the Northeast-10 Conference. Additionally, Rachel served as a faculty member in the women and minorities mentoring program, presenting on the director of athletics and senior woman administrator relationship.
FPU student-athletes won several major awards last season, including NE10 Man of the Year, NE10 Male Scholar Athlete of the Year, NE10 Men’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Year, NE10 Men’s Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year, Men’s Soccer East Region Player of the Year, two sport excellence awards, two rookie-of-the-year honors, NE10 Goal Keeper of the Year, and eight NE10 Player-of-the-Year awards. Under Rachel’s leadership this past season, the school had three conference coach-of-the-year award winners, East Regional Coaching Staff of the Year, and national coaching staff of the year. In addition, Rachel was named the NACDA DII Athletic Director of the Year.