Our Next Speaker
Ed McLaughlin, Vice President & Director of Athletics, VCU; “College Athletics. A Lot is Changing”
Ed McLaughlin was named the sixth athletic director in VCU history in 2012. Under McLaughlin, VCU Athletics has centered its approach on the student-athlete experience and eight core values: drive to excel, commitment to community, integrity, loyalty and positivity, equity and diversity, collaboration, innovation, and student-athlete focus.
A decade into his tenure, VCU Athletics has developed student-athletes, achieved unprecedented academic success, and won championships at a historic rate. Along the way, VCU Athletics has moved closer to that national championship becoming a reality.
During McLaughlin’s first 9 years, VCU experienced competitive success unparalleled in its history. Over that span, the Rams have captured (40) Atlantic 10 Conference team championships, (89) A-10 individual championships and have sent (60) teams and individuals into NCAA Tournament competition.
In the classroom, VCU’s 300-plus student-athletes have performed at record levels since Ed’s arrival with nearly 80 percent of VCU student-athletes earning a 3.0 or better, and a quarter achieving a 4.0.
Prior to VCU, Ed spent 6 years as athletic director at Niagara. Niagara won more conference championships during his tenure than in the previous 75 years of collegiate athletics at the university.
From 2004-06, McLaughlin served as Associate Athletic Director for External Affairs at American University. In September 2004, he gained additional duties as the Executive Director of the Eagles Club. He began his tenure at American in May of 2000 as Assistant Athletic Director for Facilities and Operations and was promoted to Associate Athletic Director for Facilities and Operations in October 2002.
Prior to American University, Ed spent two years as the director of media relations for the Hockey East Association. A 1995 graduate of Boston College with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, McLaughlin served as the sports editor of the school’s independent weekly student newspaper, The Heights. McLaughlin earned his master’s in health promotion management from American in May 2005.
McLaughlin has three children: Hannah, who played Division I college soccer at Clemson, Liam and Rian.