Official: Mizzou introduces Laird Veatch as new athletic director
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Mizzou Athletics confirmed the news that began to make its rounds on Monday afternoon. Former Memphis athletic director Laird Veatch will take the reigns at MU.
The UM Board of Curators is planning to meet on Wednesday to approve his contract, before an introductory press conference is held later in the week.
University of Missouri President Mun Choi said, in a press releases, that Veatch brings that qualities that MU is looking for to achieve the championship expectations they have set.
Veatch will bring more than 25 years of experience in college athletics to the job, which spans all the way from the Big 12 to the SEC. He's made stops at his alma mater Kansas State, Iowa State, Texas, Florida and even at Mizzou in the early 2000s.
He spent five years working for Mizzou Athletics, from 1997-2002. His last three years in the department were spent as the assistant athletic director for development. In that role, he oversaw the department's fundraising, putting an emphasis on facility and capital fundraising projects.
Veatch was also the general manager of Mizzou Sports Properties from 2003-06. After that, he served as the regional vice president for Learfield Sports in Missouri from 2006-10.
"We are thrilled to welcome Laird back to Mizzou as our new athletic director," Board Chair Robin Wenneker said in a press release. "Mizzou Athletics competes in a dynamic, highly competitive environment and the search committee sought an AD who would not only capture the momentum we have built, but also drive our athletics program to new heights. Laird is the right person to lead athletics to the highest standard of excellence we expect at the University of Missouri."
Mizzou will not be Veatch's first athletic director job, as he was hired as Memphis' AD in 2019. He made the most of his time there, too. He oversaw quite a few projects, including renovations to the indoor football practice facility, a new tennis center, a weight room and a nutrition center. The Kansas-native also put Memphis at the forefront of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) innovation. Just before taking the job in Columbia, he secured a $25 million investment from FedEx over the next five years to create an NIL program for the Blue Tigers.
"Laird Veatch's energy and leadership skills will serve him well in his new position as director of athletics at Missouri," SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said "His previous experience at Missouri provides him with insight into the Mizzou campus, and he will also benefit from his experience in the SEC as a senior member of the Florida staff. We welcome Laird, Brandy and their family back to the SEC."
The Kansas State football alum will be joining Mizzou Athletics at a pivotal time in its history. A $250 million renovation to Faurot Field is looming, while multiple sports on campus continue on an upward trajectory.
"The opportunity to return to the University of Missouri and to Columbia is truly incredible for me and my family," Veatch said in a press release. "I am grateful to President Choi, the Board of Curators and the members of the search committee for believing in me and in the future of Mizzou Athletics. Mizzou has always had a passionate and dedicated fan base including broad support throughout the state, and together, there is nothing that we cannot accomplish. That includes winning SEC and NCAA championships while providing our student-athletes with a tremendous experience. I am honored and humbled to serve the university and to do my part to elevate Mizzou Athletics to unprecedented heights."
Mizzou will release more details on Veatch's introductory press conference later in the week.
