University of Vermont Athletics

Patsy Wheeler McLaughlin 1972 - Basketball, Field Hockey, Lacrosse, Softball, Tennis

Regarded as one of UVM's top all-time female athletes Patsy Wheeler McLaughlin competed in five varsity sports during her days at UVM, and also participated in club volleyball for four years. A 1987 UVM Hall of Fame inductee, she earned four varsity letters in four sports; tennis, field hockey, basketball and lacrosse, and added a pair of letters in softball.

On the tennis court, McLaughlin was the number two player for two years and the number-one player for two more, serving as captain her senior year. She also captained the 1970-71 basketball team, which was undefeated in the regular season and advanced to the New England Championship. Vermont defeated Massachusetts in the tournament before losing to nationally ranked Queens in the championship game. McLaughlin also starred for and, yes, captained the field hockey team, combining her outstanding speed with excellent stick skills at the halfback position. She was the first woman at UVM to captain three sports. McLaughlin played a wing position on the lacrosse team, and was a valuable utility player on the softball team.

Despite all the time McLaughlin spent on the varsity courts and fields, she was named the Outstanding Senior Physical Education Major in 1972. After graduation, she taught and coached at Champlain Valley Union High School for eight years. McLaughlin remains very active in athletics as a table official at UVM basketball games, a track official at CVU meets, a tennis instructor with the Essex Recreation Department and as a popular physical education instructor at UVM. McLaughlin and her husband, Robert (UVM '72), a physical education instructor at CVU, live in Essex Junction with their two children, Jamie and Sarah.