Lauren Eads Returns to MAAC as Chief Operating Officer
EDISON, NJ (July 20, 2021) – The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) announced today that Lauren Eads has been named Chief Operating Officer for the conference. Eads will return to the MAAC after filling in for Deputy Commissioner Jessica Grasso as she took maternity leave. Eads is scheduled to begin under her new title on September 1.
As COO, Eads will manage all aspects of MAAC Championships with an emphasis in marketing, media relations, and broadcasting operations; supervise in-season and postseason competition for 21 conference-sponsored sports; and oversee staff in the conference’s Championships and New Media departments. In addition, she will aid in the development and execution of the conference’s marketing plan and broadcast operations, including the growth and maintenance of the MAAC’s agreement with ESPN for school productions.
“We were very happy to welcome Lauren back to the MAAC this past January in an interim role and we are thrilled that she will once again be returning, this time in a permanent position,” said MAAC Commissioner Rich Ensor. “Lauren’s work these past few months was immeasurable as she was able to step in and assist the MAAC in her role as the Interim Deputy Commissioner. We knew with her wealth of knowledge and experience keeping her on at the MAAC was imperative to us.”
"I’m very grateful that I’m able to continue working with the outstanding administrators, coaches, and student-athletes in the MAAC on a permanent basis,” said Eads. “It’s very exciting to be a part of this continuing tradition of excellence. My sincere thanks goes out to Father Maher, the MAAC Council of Presidents, and Commissioner Ensor for this opportunity.”
Eads was named Interim Deputy Commissioner for the MAAC on January 19, 2021, and served in the role through June 30, 2021.
Before returning to the MAAC, Eads was Vice President/Director of Athletics at Concordia University in Portland, Oregon, where she set the overall strategy for the Department of Athletics and its 15 NCAA Division II sports with the university’s mission at the forefront. She led a full-time staff of 19 employees, in addition to 27 part-time employees and 250 student-athletes, while also managing the department’s budget of over $2 million. Under her leadership, the Cavaliers captured the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) All-Academic Championship in 2018-19, with 100 student-athletes receiving all-academic team honors. In addition, she oversaw the Cavs capture GNAC championships in Men's Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field ('17-18), Women's Golf ('17-18), Women's Soccer ('18-19), Softball ('18-19) and the Woman's Soccer regular season title in 2017-18.
Prior to Concordia, Eads was the Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator for Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. Eads was responsible for the marketing, sponsorships, and game day promotions for all 17 NCAA Division I programs. Over her career, she has served as the primary administrator and has directed conference championships for a number of sports, including basketball, softball, and volleyball.
Eads has also been the Assistant Director of Marketing at Saint Leo University in Florida and Director for Sports Administration for the Missouri Valley Conference.
Eads is a 2003 graduate of Rutgers University, earning her Bachelor’s Degree with a major in marketing. She was also a four-year member of the Rutgers volleyball team. In 2005, she earned a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree from the University of Arkansas with a concentration in Sport Management and Recreation.
About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference:
With 11 institutions strongly bound by the sound principles of quality and integrity in academics and excellence in athletics, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) is in its 41st year of competition during the 2021-22 academic year. Current conference members include: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Manhattan College, Marist College, Monmouth University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter’s University, and Siena College.