VCU Ram Report

A L E T T E R F R O M : THE RAM REPORT E D M C L A U G H L I N The wind down from summer has started as our student-ath- letes return to campus. Most of our nearly 300 student-athletes spent the summer off campus, enjoying their much-deserved break from class while working out for the season. As we look forward to the fall sports seasons, the s llness of the summer allows us the opportunity to reflect on another record-breaking year in VCU Athle cs. In July, 51 Rams were named to the Atlan c 10 Commissioner's Honor Roll, the most recent in a steady stream of academic awards for our student-athletes and their programs this year. In addi on, three Rams were selected to par cipate in the NCAA's Career in Sports Forum in Indianapolis in May. On the field, VCU recorded the highest winning percentage (.634) in the Atlan c 10 Conference and the second highest among the 14 Division I programs in the state of Virginia. Inside this issue of The Ram Report, you'll find a number of references to VCU Athle cs' many triumphs this year in com- pe on and in the classroom, including the outstanding young women on the cover, Kiara Porter and Jaleesa Williams from our track and field program. For the second straight year, Porter and Williams achieved All-America status by virtue of their perfor- mances at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon. These two incredible representa ves of VCU Athle cs repeated an amazing accomplishment rarely done in the past at VCU. As director of athle cs, I beam with immense pride from the accomplishments of our student-athletes, teams and coaches. I also know too well the importance of posi oning them to achieve success. That posi oning includes providing our Rams with the necessary tools to compete on and off the court. Inside, you'll no ce a list of our Ram Athle c Fund donors. Without them, we could not achieve nine NCAA appearances by our 16 programs. That support also includes the $25 million basketball prac ce facility that roared to life in June amid the hum of heavy machinery over on Marshall Street. On behalf of the en re VCU Athle c Department, thank you, Ram Na on for your incredible loyalty and generosity. The 2014-15 campaign begins shortly, and I can't wait to start. All of us within the VCU Department of Athle cs hope you and your families enjoy the summer, and we look forward to seeing you cheering on the Rams from the sidelines this fall. Sincerely, Ed McLaughlin VCU Director of Athle cs Dear VCU fans,

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