Briarcliff's McLaughlin Honored at Irish Sports Awards

Briarcliff Manor resident and former Fordham University Athletic Director Frank McLaughlin was honored at the first ever Irish Sports 50 Awards last week.

"I am very proud of my family's Irish heritage," he told Patch, "so to be selected like this was a great honor for me and my family."

The awards ceremony celebrated the Irish plight in the world of athletics, according to a press release.

McLaughlin is a native of the Bronx, who before spending 27 years as Fordham's athletic director, was a standout basketball player and team captain at the university.

He went on to serve as his former team's assistant coach in 1970 and now serves as associate vice president of student affairs for athletic alumni relations. This year, he was also inducted into the Fordham Hall of Fame.

McLaughlin was among the 50 celebrated by Irish Voice. The award ceremony's keynote speaker, Major League Baseball Executive Vice President Tim Brosnan, reportedly talked about the path Irish athletes carved out for other ethnic groups to come.

"If you have the skill you can play it doesn't matter where you came from," he said in a statement.

Said McLaughlin of the honor, "It means a tremendous amount to me."