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October 2024

Volume 24 Issue 10

SERVICE ABOVE SELF

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Jeff Schapiro, Political Columnist, Richmond Times-Dispatch

“35+ Years Dissecting Commonwealth Politics"  

Jeff Eric Schapiro is an American newspaper reporter and political commentator. A New York City native, he moved to Richmond, Virginia in 1979, shortly after graduating from Georgetown University, and covered politics and policy out of United Press International's news bureau there.

One of the most prominent political journalists in Virginia, he has worked for the Richmond Times-Dispatch since 1987, where he currently writes a twice-weekly column, and he regularly appears on radio and television. In 2015, he was honored by Virginia Commonwealth University's Richard T. Robertson School of Media and Culture with induction into their Virginia Communications Hall of Fame. W. Taylor Reveley IV, the president of Longwood University, has called him "a giant in the field of journalism in the state."

Schapiro's wife, Clare Schapiro, is a food columnist for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. The couple were married in Richmond on September 17, 1988, by Virginia Supreme Court justice John Charles Thomas.

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

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.

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Chris Mooney, Men's Basketball Coach, University of Richmond

"My Love for HOOPS, FAMILY & RICHMOND"

Chris Mooney is in his 20th year with the University of Richmond. He is a former professional basketball player and current head men’s basketball coach of the Richmond Spiders in Virginia. Mooney is universally recognized as one of the longest-standing and most successful coaches in Atlantic 10 history.

Mooney started out his basketball career at a young age, going on to play college basketball at Princeton. He was a four-year starter at Princeton, starting all 107 games in his career and amassing a staggering 1,071 points. His invaluable skill led him to achieve runner-up for Rookie of the Year in the Ivy League as a freshman and also an honorable mention All-Conference honors as a sophomore, First Team All-Ivy League honors as a junior and Second Team All-Ivy League honors in his senior year. Fresh out of college, Mooney quickly embarked on his coaching career. In 1998, Mooney headed up the program at Beaver College, now known as Arcadia University.

After a couple of years there, Mooney moved to Air Force where he took up an assistant coaching position, stepping up to head coach in 2004. In his year there, Mooney led the Air Force Falcons to their second-best record in school history. Following this, Mooney became head coach at the University of Richmond. In 19 seasons at Richmond, Coach Mooney has led the Spiders to their only two Atlantic 10 tournament championships (2011, 2022), their only Atlantic 10 regular season championship (2024), three NCAA Tournaments, eight 20-win seasons, and 10 postseason appearances while amassing 348 wins, more than any other coach in program history.

Mooney has been widely recognized for his impact on the Richmond community. In 2010, Mooney won Richmond’s Voice of the University Award and was named on Richmond Style Weekly’s 40 Under 40 list, spotlighting his community involvement with numerous charities. He is also an avid cook, competing in live cooking competitions to raise money for Positive Vibe Café in Richmond, which trains and employs people with disabilities – a true sign of Mooney’s charitable contributions.

Mooney is married to the former Lia Chomat, a Princeton graduate who also has a doctorate in psychology from Penn. The couple has two sons, Danny and Ryan.

The Rotary Club of Virginia was pleased to hear from Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney.

Lane Casadonte, WTVR, addressed The Rotary Club of Richmond.

Khalid Jones, Executive Director, Virginia Lottery, presented to The Rotary Club of Richmond.

Whether you are relatively new to the club or a long-serving member, the Rotary Club of Richmond has been serving Richmond for more than a century; do you have your copy of this history? Copies are now available; $20 soft copies; $30 hard copies.

Let's wish our fellow Rotarians Happy Birthday and congratulations on their Rotary Anniversary!