General | 1/12/2023 6:30:23 PM
Laura Edholm is in her 25th year as a member of the Medaille University Athletic Department in 2022-23, having taken on numerous roles during her time as a Maverick. Edholm serves as the Athletic Director as well as Head Coach of the Men's Golf team.
As an administrator Edholm has held numerous roles, having led the departments fundraising efforts, while serving as the Faculty Advisor for Medaille SAAC, the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. Most recently, Edholm served as Head Coach of the women's bowling team. On the lanes the Mavericks saw unprecedented success with Edholm in charge. She guided Medaille to four AMCC Regular Season Championships and four consecutive AMCC Tournament Championships, including a win on their home lanes in 2018.
Before her time on the lanes, Edholm was the Head Coach for the Mavericks Softball team for five seasons from 2012-2016. Medaille accumulated 65 wins during her stint as the Softball Head Coach, coaching eight student-athletes to All-Conference honors. In addition, she was the bench boss for the Mavericks women's volleyball team for seven seasons until 2005, guiding Medaille from their transition from NSCAA to NCAA Division III.
Edholm played Division I volleyball while studying at Coastal Carolina, where in 349 sets she amassed 692 kills, 1,100 digs and 65 blocks to go along with a school record 167 service aces. She currently holds the second and third highest single season total of service aces, and in 1992 was named to the Big South All-Tournament Team.
Laura Edholm - Empire 8 Pioneer
College Attended/Class Year: Bachelor's - Coastal Carolina University, 1993/Master's - Medaille University, 2007
Playing Career (if any, collegiately or professionally): Coastal Carolina women's volleryball (1989-92), two seasons of golf
Favorite Professional Athlete/Pro Team: Justin Thomas/Buffalo Sabres
Favorite Movie: Shawshank Redemption
Last TV You Binge Watched: Hallmark Christmas Movies
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Mint Chocolate Chip
What Do You Enjoy Doing When Away From College Athletics? Playing golf with my family
Favorite or Dream Vacation Spot: Ireland/Scotland family golf vacation 2017
Favorite Athletic Memory from Your Time as a Player in College (if applicable): One season I was named in Volleyball Monthly magazine for being second in the nation in service aces. I’m currently third in the Coastal career record books with 63 service aces in 1990 and fourth with 62 service aces in 1991.
Favorite Athletic Memory as a Coach/Administrator? Competing at the 2021 National Women’s Bowling Championship, Medaille beat Nebraska (Nebraska went on to win the championship).
Who Was Your Greatest Mentor(s) and Why: Donna Ledwin, Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Commissioner. I have worked with Donna since very early in my career and she always knows how to push me out of my comfort zone in the best way. She has supported me and provided a path for me to decide where I wanted to take it.
Most Rewarding Aspect of Being a Coach/Administrator: Seeing the development of student-athletes as they come in as freshman and mature through their career both athletically and academically facing challenges and rising to the occasion.
What Have You Learned About Yourself as a Leader and In Your Role: Stay true to yourself and stay positive. There are always going to be challenges but if we stay focused on what we can control and stay positive we can accomplish great things.
Recent Community Service Projects Your Teams or Departments Have Worked On: We have donated to Ronald McDonald House of Buffalo as well as Feed More Western New York with both time and resources.
How Does The Empire 8 Stand Out Among Other Conferences? The level of involvement in being an advocate and pushing our student-athletes to provide quality experiences and opportunities is phenomenal.
How Did Title IX Played a Role For You as a Student-Athlete? Honestly I didn’t have an appreciation for the impact of Title IX until I was an administrator.
How Has Title IX Impacted You After Your Collegiate Career? Title IX has given me a voice, a seat at the table in key conversations about every day decisions and things we can do to support our female student-athletes and the opportunities they have.
What Do You Think Is the Greatest Impact of Title IX/How Has it Changed Your Life? Sport in general has played such a key role in my life, having the opportunity to show others the power of sport and what it can do for girls especially in shaping character and developing confidence has been an impactful experience.
How Has Title IX Changed the Collegiate Sports World? Title IX has provided so many opportunities for everyone to explore the greatness of competing. Everyone should have the opportunity, you can learn so much about yourself and others through sport.
What Can Be Done to Continue the Growth of Women’s Sports? We must continue exposing girls to a variety of sports and encourage them to try new things. Help them find a balance of sport and life.
Advice for Aspiring Student-Athletes (Youth/High School and Incoming Collegians): There can be a role for everyone within athletics because it takes a village to be successful. Not everyone can be nor wants to be the superstar. Take the time to find out what is best for you and fill that role to the best of your ability.
Advice for Graduating Student-Athletes: There is no better opportunity to take a leap of faith and go after your dreams. Use what you have learned as a student-athlete to push the envelope and be big. Learn from the high’s and low’s that you experienced as a student-athlete and pursue your passions!
The Empire 8 Pioneers series celebrates 50 years of Title IX and highlights the growth of women's sports, while featuring a standout women's coach of administrator from each of the league's 10 institutions.
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit
www.empire8.com.
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