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Class of 1987
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Lee McLaughlin
Lee McLaughlin will be remembered as an all-around athlete in high school and college. But it was as a coach and leader that he made his most lasting marks on Virginia Sports.
At John Marshall High School in Richmond, McLaughlin was an all-state selection, winning a football scholarship to the University of Virginia. He had a solid three-year career at UVa as a tackle and was drafted by the Green Bay Packers. He enjoyed an outstanding rookie season before entering the service in World War II as a Naval Officer. For his part in the invasion of France, McLaughlin was awarded numerous citations.
Following his service years, McLaughlin began his coaching career at Episcopal High School in Alexandria. He coached many good football teams there, but his 1953 squad went undefeated and is considered his best.
In 1957, McLaughlin began an eleven-year career as coach at Washington & Lee University. He is still remembered there as being largely responsible for the success in picking up the remnants of a vanishing football spirit caused by the then-controversial 1954 decision to drop athletic scholarships. His first three years were his worst at W&L, going 0-8, 1-7 and 3-4-1. But starting in 1960, the Generals began to rise and his teams were 25-1-1 over the next three years. His top W&L team was the 1961 squad that went unbeaten and untied and was declared the national small-college champion. McLaughlin himself was named National College Coach of the Year.
In 1966, McLaughlin was honored with the Sports Illustrated Silver Anniversary Award. Bill Dudley, a teammate at Virginia, stated “Lee was one of the finest guys I have ever known and one heck of a football player.” McLaughlin died on August 13, 1968 in an accident at a youth camp he operated in Rockbridge County, Virginia.
(To Sports Inductees List) |
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