A national-caliber athletics program
Shaka Smart, VCU men’s basketball head coachLast week, VCU became only the seventh university in the nation to have won at least one game in each of the past three NCAA men’s basketball tournaments. Congratulations to athletics director Ed McLaughlin, head coach Shaka Smart and his staff, and the players who represent all of us so well every day, both on and off the court. I am pleased that Coach Smart signed a contract extension last week that will keep him at VCU through 2023.
The second-round tournament victory, 88-42 vs. Akron, is only one of the significant headlines from athletics in recent weeks. Last month, two corporate donors established major gifts to athletics — MeadWestvaco to construct a new practice facility for men’s and women’s basketball, and Health Diagnostic Laboratories, co-founded by VCU alumna Tonya Mallory, to brand our Athletic Village. Both donations made history as the largest corporate partnership ($3 million from MeadWestvaco) and the largest philanthropic gift ($4 million from Health Diagnostic Laboratories) to VCU Athletics.
Premier universities are premier across the board, including in athletics, which is a window into the institution for so many people. I appreciate the leadership, coaches and student-athletes who represent us so well, and the corporate and community partners who further elevate our national profile.
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