Laird Veatch

Veatch was born in Manhattan, Kansas, where he attended Manhattan High School.{{Cite web|last=Black|first=Ryan|date=January 12, 2020|title=‘Part of our fabric’ Manhattan, K-State will always be part of 'fabric' of Memphis AD Laird Veatch|url=https://themercury.com/k_state_sports/manhattan-k-state-will-always-be-part-of-fabric-of-memphis-ad-laird-veatch/article_54e69e6d-65f7-5465-9c4c-721584827a1b.html|access-date=December 13, 2024|website=The Mercury}} While in Manhattan, Veatch played baseball, basketball, football, and track.{{Cite web|last=Black|first=Ryan|date=January 12, 2020|title=‘Part of our fabric’ Manhattan, K-State will always be part of 'fabric' of Memphis AD Laird Veatch|url=https://themercury.com/k_state_sports/manhattan-k-state-will-always-be-part-of-fabric-of-memphis-ad-laird-veatch/article_54e69e6d-65f7-5465-9c4c-721584827a1b.html|access-date=December 13, 2024|website=The Mercury}} Veatch attended Kansas State University, where he played football and was a captain for the football team his senior year.{{Cite web|last=Murtaugh|first=Frank|date=January 15, 2020|title=Laird Veatch|url=https://memphismagazine.com/business/laird-veatch/|access-date=December 13, 2024|website=Memphis Magazine}}

Veatch started his administrator career at the University of Texas, where he assisted with the development program and external affairs while earning his master's degree.{{Cite web|title=Laird Veatch|url=https://www.financialexecutives.org/Events/Event_Speaker_Bio.aspx?Speaker=78284387-4AF6-46DD-BC7B-B738585F4CB0|access-date=December 13, 2024|website=Financial Executives}} In 1997, Veatch began working at the University of Missouri, eventually as the assistant director of development.{{Cite web|last=McAndrew|first=Calum|date=April 23, 2024|title=5 things to know about new Missouri athletic director Laird Veatch|url=https://www.columbiatribune.com/story/sports/college/tiger-extra/2024/04/23/5-things-to-know-about-new-missouri-athletic-director-laird-veatch/73424549007/|access-date=December 14, 2024|website=Columbia Daily Tribune}} In his first stint at Missouri, Veatch managed the Tiger Scholarship Fund.{{Cite web|last=McAndrew|first=Calum|date=April 23, 2024|title=5 things to know about new Missouri athletic director Laird Veatch|url=https://www.columbiatribune.com/story/sports/college/tiger-extra/2024/04/23/5-things-to-know-about-new-missouri-athletic-director-laird-veatch/73424549007/|access-date=December 14, 2024|website=Columbia Daily Tribune}} After a one-year stint at Iowa State University, Veatch joined Learfield Sports in 2003.{{Cite web|title=Laird Veatch|url=https://www.financialexecutives.org/Events/Event_Speaker_Bio.aspx?Speaker=78284387-4AF6-46DD-BC7B-B738585F4CB0|access-date=December 13, 2024|website=Financial Executives}} Veatch started as general manager of Mizzou Sports Properties before becoming vice president for Learfield in Missouri from 2006 to 2010.{{Cite web|last=Hadusek|first=Jon|date=December 29, 2020|title=Paths to Success: Where Are They Now?|url=https://comomag.com/2020/12/29/paths-to-success-where-are-they-now/|access-date=December 14, 2024|website=Como Magazine}} Veatch rejoined the collegiate world in 2010 as an associate director for his alma mater, Kansas State.{{Cite web|last=Black|first=Ryan|date=January 12, 2020|title=‘Part of our fabric’ Manhattan, K-State will always be part of 'fabric' of Memphis AD Laird Veatch|url=https://themercury.com/k_state_sports/manhattan-k-state-will-always-be-part-of-fabric-of-memphis-ad-laird-veatch/article_54e69e6d-65f7-5465-9c4c-721584827a1b.html|access-date=December 13, 2024|website=The Mercury}} He later became deputy athletic director in 2015{{Cite web|date=July 21, 2015|title=2015 K-State Football Media Guide|url=https://issuu.com/k-statesports/docs/2015_k-state_football_media_guide/34|access-date=December 14, 2024|website=Issuu}} and interim athletic director in 2017 after the previous athletic director, John Currie, left for the University of Tennessee.{{Cite web|last=Corbitt|first=Ken|date=March 4, 2017|title=Laird Veatch honored to get dream job at K-State — even on interim basis|url=https://www.cjonline.com/story/sports/college/2017/03/04/laird-veatch-honored-get-dream-job-k-state-even-interim-basis/16553423007/|access-date=December 14, 2024|website=The Topeka Capital-Journal}} During his time at Kansas State, Veatch oversaw an $85 million renovation to the west side of Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium and the construction of a $60 million football training complex.{{Cite web|last=Popp|first=Scott|title=Construction Continues at Bill Snyder Family Stadium|url=https://law-co.com/2017/04/06/construction-continues-at-bill-snyder-family-stadium/|access-date=December 14, 2024|website=The Law Company}} In 2017, Veatch joined the University of Florida as an executive associate athletic director.{{Cite web|last=Corbitt|first=Ken|date=May 16, 2017|title=Laird Veatch leaving K-State for position at Florida|url=https://www.cjonline.com/story/sports/college/2017/05/16/laird-veatch-leaving-k-state-position-florida/16541744007/|access-date=December 14, 2024|website=The Topeka Capital-Journal}} While at Florida, Veatch oversaw renovations for the university's softball stadium, and the construction of both a new baseball stadium and an athletic facility for football.{{Cite web|last=Thompson|first=Edgar|date=August 9, 2019|title=UF AD Scott Stricklin loses right-hand man Laird Veatch to Memphis AD post|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2019/08/09/uf-ad-scott-stricklin-loses-right-hand-man-laird-veatch-to-memphis-ad-post/|access-date=December 14, 2024|website=Orlando Sentinel}}

In 2019, Veatch became the athletic director for the University of Memphis.{{Cite web|date=August 9, 2019|title=Memphis hires Florida’s Laird Veatch as athletic director|url=https://apnews.com/tn-state-wire-fl-state-wire-84cf5a4a02124d8e94f3db45c0636599|access-date=December 14, 2024|website=AP News}}{{Cite web|last=Barnes|first=Evan|date=August 12, 2019|title=Memphis athletic director Laird Veatch signs five-year contract at $500,000 per year|url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/college/memphis-tigers/2019/08/12/university-of-memphis-tigers-laird-veatch-athletic-director/1966886001/|access-date=December 14, 2024|website=Memphis Commercial Appeal}} While at Memphis, Veatch hired Ryan Silverfield as head coach for the Memphis Tigers football team.{{Cite web|date=December 13, 2019|title=Memphis hires interim Ryan Silverfield as Tigers’ new coach|url=https://apnews.com/ap-top-25-college-football-poll-a51cabf3976753dacc8ec0776c26bed2|access-date=December 14, 2024|website=AP News}} Additionally, Veatch oversaw the beginning of a $200 million renovation for Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, which is set to be completed in 2025.{{Cite web|last=Munz|first=Jason|date=August 25, 2021|title=Memphis AD Laird Veatch announces athletics facilities priorities for the next decade|url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/college/memphis-tigers/2021/08/25/memphis-athletics-unveils-comprehensive-plan-vision-next-decade/5576032001/|access-date=December 14, 2024|website=Memphis Commercial Appeal}}{{Cite web|last=Giannotto|first=Mark|date=July 31, 2023|title=Here's what Memphis Tigers AD said about chances at Big 12, stadium funding, state of football team|url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/columnists/mark-giannotto/2023/07/31/memphis-big-12-conference-realignment-colorado-laird-veatch-pac-12-ryan-silverfield/70473848007/|access-date=December 14, 2024|website=Memphis Commercial Appeal}} Veatch placed importance on securing NIL deals while at Memphis,{{Cite web|last=Yusef|first=Omar|date=March 17, 2024|title=U of M announces new hires to bolster NIL efforts; where university stands compared to rival AAC schools|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2024/03/17/u-of-m-announces-new-hires-to-bolster-nil-efforts.html|access-date=December 14, 2024|website=Memphis Business Journal}} concerned about the possibilities of players leaving for wealthier programs.{{Cite web|last=Barnes|first=Evan|date=December 1, 2022|title=AD's email to boosters supports Ryan Silverfield, Memphis football but 'close is not good enough'|url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/college/memphis-tigers/2022/12/01/memphis-ad-laird-veatch-football-coach-ryan-silverfield/69686700007/|access-date=December 14, 2024|website=Memphis Commercial Appeal}}{{Cite web|date=November 18, 2022|title=Memphis AD Laird Veatch asks boosters for more NIL money, warns teams could lose players|url=https://ecckersports.com/industry-insights/memphis-ad-laird-veatch-asks-boosters-for-more-nil-money-warns-teams-could-lose-players/|access-date=December 14, 2024|website=Eccker Sports}} One of the deals Veatch helped secure was a $25 million deal with FedEx.{{Cite web|date=April 19, 2024|title=FedEx pledges $25 million over 5 years in NIL program for University of Memphis athletes|url=https://apnews.com/article/memphis-fedex-nil-3b52330d524c7af07527cbbd050bf8bc|access-date=December 14, 2024|website=AP News}}{{Cite web|last=Randall|first=Robert|date=April 20, 2024|title=Memphis and FedEx Agree to Landmark NIL Partnership|url=https://www.dailyhelmsman.com/article/2024/04/zwbgjxnlqw7csnb|access-date=December 14, 2024|website=The Daily Helmsman}}

In 2024, Veatch returned to the University of Missouri as athletic director.{{Cite web|last=Skretta|first=Dave|date=April 23, 2024|title=Missouri hires Memphis athletic director Laird Veatch for the same role with the Tigers|url=https://apnews.com/article/missouri-athletic-director-tigers-2e4c196ffb6ff085c54967bd01136afb|access-date=December 14, 2024|website=AP News}}{{Cite web|last=McAndrew|first=Calum|date=April 23, 2024|title=Laird Veatch officially named next athletic director at Missouri|url=https://www.columbiatribune.com/story/sports/college/tiger-extra/2024/04/23/laird-veatch-officially-named-next-athletic-director-at-missouri/73424336007/|access-date=December 14, 2024|website=Columbia Daily Tribune}} Veatch hired some of his colleagues at Memphis for positions at Missouri upon his arrival.{{Cite web|last=Munz|first=Jason|date=July 6, 2024|title=Three Memphis athletic department staffers to join Laird Veatch at Missouri|url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/college/memphis-tigers/2024/07/06/memphis-athletics-michael-schroeder-missouri-laird-veatch/74317210007/|access-date=December 14, 2024|website=Memphis Commercial Appeal}} Veatch listed his goals at Missouri to be "boost revenue without limiting expenses" and to achieve a higher level of financial independence from the SEC along with a larger budget surplus.{{Cite web|last=Landwehr|first=Abigail|date=May 3, 2024|title=Mizzou sets 'clear fiscal goals' for new AD Veatch|url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/05/03/university-of-missouri-mizzou-laird-veatch-fiscal-goals|access-date=December 14, 2024|website=Sports Business Journal}}{{Cite web|last=Dearmond|first=Gabe|date=November 1, 2024|title=Changes coming to Mizzou: One on one with Athletic Director Laird Veatch|url=https://247sports.com/college/missouri/longformarticle/athletic-director-laird-veatch-changes-coming-to-mizzou-238947091/|access-date=December 14, 2024|website=247 Sports}}

Veatch received his bachelor's degree from Kansas State in 1995 in business administration and his master's degree from Texas in 1997 in sports administration.{{Cite web|title=Laird Veatch|url=https://www.financialexecutives.org/Events/Event_Speaker_Bio.aspx?Speaker=78284387-4AF6-46DD-BC7B-B738585F4CB0|access-date=December 13, 2024|website=Financial Executives}} Veatch is married to his wife, Brandy, and has four children: Jordyn, Taylor, Sydney, and Dru.{{Cite web|title=Laird Veatch|url=https://mutigers.com/staff-directory/laird-veatch/2367|access-date=December 14, 2024|website=Missouri Tigers}}

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Category:Living people

Category:Players of American football from Kansas

Category:Kansas State Wildcats football players

Category:Memphis Tigers athletic directors

Category:Missouri Tigers athletic directors

Category:Year of birth missing (living people)