Veatch previously worked at Mizzou as assistant athletic director for development and with Mizzou Sports Properties.
University of Missouri officials have announced that Laird Veatch [Delta Sigma Phi] has been named as the next director of athletics for Mizzou, effective May 1, 2024. Veatch has served in the same role at the University of Memphis since October 2019.
“AD Veatch is a proven leader with the vision we need to achieve our championship goals,” University of Missouri President Mun Choi said. “I want to thank Curator Blitz and the search committee for identifying the right leader to build upon the incredible momentum of Mizzou Athletics. I also want to thank interim director Marcy Girton for her service and commitment to Mizzou Athletics.”
“The search committee was dedicated to finding a great director of athletics, but even more important was to find the director of athletics who is the best fit for Mizzou,” said Bob Blitz, curator and chair of the search committee. “I am confident Laird will accelerate our path to the pinnacle of SEC athletics.”
Veatch, a former football student-athlete at Kansas State University, is 25-year veteran of intercollegiate athletics with experience in the Big 12 and Southeastern Conference. At Memphis, Veatch oversaw multiple facility projects and renovations, including an indoor football facility, a new tennis center, an Olympic sports weight room and nutrition center. Veatch has also led Memphis’ innovative Name, Image and Likeness program, becoming one of the first schools to hire an NIL director, while collaborating with Altius Sports Partners to develop an Athlete Services Department. Last week, Veatch’s forward-thinking NIL mindset was on display nationally, when Fortune 50 company FedEx announced a $25 million investment over the next five years to create an innovative NIL program benefitting Memphis student-athletes who will be promoting FedEx initiatives.
In 2021, Veatch unveiled Memphis’ strategic vision that aligned with the university’s comprehensive strategic plan and included an integrated academic program and athletics facilities master plan. The university also recently launched a $220 million renovation to revitalize and modernize Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium as the home of Memphis Football.
“We are thrilled to welcome Laird back to Mizzou as our new athletic director,” Board Chair Robin Wenneker said. “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.”
Veatch joins Mizzou Athletics at an exciting time in its history. Mizzou Athletics has had an impressive run of success in the last few years, building success in both athletics and academics. In 2023, Mizzou football finished the season ranked No. 8 in both major polls while gymnastics and wrestling spent most of their seasons ranked among the Top 10 nationally.
