Press Release courtesy of Penn Athletics
The University of Pennsylvania’s head coach of men’s and women’s swimming, Mike Schnur, has announced the hiring of Laura McGlaughlin as an assistant coach. A West Chester native and a former swimmer at Villanova, McGlaughlin returns to the area following a three-year stint as an assistant coach at Georgetown University.
“I am thrilled to add Laura to our staff here at Penn,” said Schnur, who recently completed his 18th season overseeing the Quakers swimming and diving programs and his 30th involved with the program. “Her experience as the men’s and women’s assistant coach at Georgetown, as well as her championship level swimming at Villanova make her the ideal person to help us continue along our path of national success.”
The Georgetown women took second place at the most recent 2018 BIG EAST Championships, in February, while the men were third. The Hoyas totaled six individual championships and boasted the Male Swimmer of the Meet. GU’s men finished second at the Championships in 2016 and 2017, while the women were second in 2016 and third in 2017. Both teams also have been selected as College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Scholar All-American programs all three years that McGlaughlin was on staff.
McGlaughlin spent the 2014-15 season at her alma mater as an assistant coach and aquatics intern. She helped the Wildcat women to a first-place finish and the men to fourth at the BIG EAST Championships. She also served as the recruiting coordinator for the men’s program, while coordinating events for alumni and fans of Villanova swimming & diving. In her role as aquatics intern she managed the set-up and breakdown of meets and special events at Villanova’s aquatic facility, while also supervising lifeguards.
McGlaughlin was a four-year letter winner and BIG EAST Championships competitor during her career at Villanova. She also competed at the United States Olympic Trials in 2012. McGlaughlin was selected as a team captain for her senior season, 2012-13, while also serving as a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee from 2011-13.
McGlaughlin graduated cum laude from Villanova with a bachelor’s degree in communications with a specialization in public relations. Her work in intercollegiate athletics goes beyond the pool, as she also gained experience in the Villanova Athletic Fund Development office as a student, and later working in the athletic director’s office.