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a l e t t e r f r o m : ams fans, I can't say I wasn't warned. When I agreed to serve as VCU Director of Athle cs in 2012, I heard me and again about the passion for basketball in Ram Na on, but the passion is hard to comprehend it un l you see it for yourself. Even the slogans are dynamic: Shaka Smart's "Havoc" and Marlene Stollings' "Fury". VCU Basketball is a visceral experience. Basketball season is in full swing again at VCU and Rams fans are energized. The passion for VCU Basketball throughout Central Virginia is rooted in the programs' deep histories. While acknowledging our past, we must cherish the present – and our fans have never witnessed so much success as right now. In our department, we're responsible for planning an even-brighter future so that our student-athletes are provided with opportuni es to achieve success on and off the court for many years to come. This edi on of The Ram Report honors the past, present and future of our programs. Inside, we pay tribute to the Rams' 1984-85 men's basket- ball team, which cap vated this campus and established VCU's na onal iden ty. We also feature some of VCU's Basketball's bright stars of today, including breakout freshmen Jordan Burgess and Keira Robinson. Finally, we look ahead to the future and discuss our exci ng basketball prac ce facility and the na onally rated recrui ng classes that will soon live within its walls. I can't think of a be er place to be right now than VCU. I'm thankful for the founda on that allowed VCU to become a na onally recog- nized athle cs program, and my staff and I are inspired by the opportunity to work with you to ensure a bright future for our student-athletes. Someday, our graduates will change the world as engineers, doctors, lawyers or entrepre- neurs, and when they look back at their VCU careers, we want them to do so with pride. Go Rams! Ed McLaughlin Director of Athle cs are a Slam Dunk! Proud to support VCU Athletics. www.VAbusinesssystems.com Our Fast Forward Document Solutions Charlottesville • Lynchburg • New River Valley • Richmond Roanoke • Tidewater • Shenandoah Valley VCU8w5h:Layout 1 1/17/13 12:16 PM Page 1