Missouri
New Missouri athletic director Laird Veatch has contract approved. Here are the details
That’s that.
The UM System Board of Curators officially approved the contract of new Missouri athletic director Laird Veatch during a special meeting on Wednesday afternoon, a university spokesperson confirmed to the Columbia Daily Tribune.
The curators quickly went into an executive session in their 3 p.m. meeting, with four statutes cited to take the meeting behind closed doors. One of them — 610.021(3) RSMo — concerns “hiring, firing, disciplining or promoting of particular employees by a public governmental body.”
Guess who?
Veatch is now officially Missouri’s athletic director.
Here are the details of his five-year contract, provided in a memorandum of understanding signed Tuesday, April 23, and sent to the Columbia Daily Tribune by a university spokesperson.
What is Missouri athletic director Laird Veatch’s salary?
Laird Veatch will earn $1.3 million dollars in annual guaranteed compensation at Missouri. His deal is due to end April 30, 2029.
His deal is broken down into three parts: Base salary ($900,000 per year); Non-Salary compensation ($200,000); and deferred compensation ($200,000).
Both his base salary and non-salary compensation will be paid in equal monthly installments. His deferred compensation will be paid annually.
Veatch’s deal also includes several merit incentives.
The new Missouri athletic director can earn $50,000 if Missouri wins an SEC football title, and can add another $50,000 if Eli Drinkwitz’s team claims a national championship.
For men’s basketball, Veatch is awarded $10,000 if Dennis Gates’ Missouri team wins an SEC title; a further $15,000 if the Tigers make the Final Four; and an additional $25,000 if they take home a national title.
If Missouri student-athletes graduate at a 90% combined success rate across all sports, Veatch makes $25,000. If Veatch reaches “philanthropy, ticket sales and other revenue generation targets set annually” by UM System President Mun Choi, Veatch earns $75,000. Those targets are currently unknown.
Before leaving for the open AD role at Arizona, former Missouri athletic director Desireé Reed Francois signed a contract extension with Missouri in April 2023 that saw her total compensation jump to $1.25 million annually. Her Missouri annual contract was broken down as $900,000 in base salary; $350,000 in non-salary compensation; and $250,000 in deferred compensation. She was only eligible to receive the deferred compensation at the end of her deal.
Veatch is Missouri’s fourth athletic director in the past nine years. The university also put in a clause that makes sure it isn’t searching for No. 5 any time soon.
The contract states that “the AD recognizes that their promise to work for the University for the entire term is important to the University, and that the nature of their position is unique.”
On that note, the contract also stipulates that should Veatch choose to terminate his deal without cause, he will pay the university 50% of his cumulative base salary plus whatever he would have been paid in non-salary compensation.
That means, if he leaves for another job with, for example, one year remaining on his deal, he would owe $450,000 (half of his base salary) plus $200,000 in non-salary compensation for a total of $650,000 in liquidated damages. The cost of leaving Missouri begins at about $3.25 million and falls each year for Missouri’s new AD.
On the flip side, and very similarly, if Missouri terminates Veatch’s contract without cause, the university owes Veatch half of his annual base salary plus the full amount he would have received in non-salary compensation. Veatch also would be paid whatever he had accrued in deferred compensation. That means his buyout begins at approximately $1.65 million, which will fall with each passing year.
What’s next for Veatch?
Veatch, who MU hired away after a near-five-year stint at Memphis, could be introduced to the public as soon as Friday. His official start date is May 1.
More: 3 questions facing new Missouri athletic director Laird Veatch on Day 1
The new head of the Missouri athletic department returns for a second stint in Columbia, after serving in various roles for MU in the late 1990s and early 2000s. At Missouri, Veatch held titles such as assistant AD for development; director of athletics development for major giving; and director of annual giving and development coordinator. He also worked for Learfield Sports, managing Mizzou Sports Properties between 2003-06.
Veatch is a former Kansas State linebacker and team captain under Hall of Fame head coach Bill Snyder. The new Missouri AD has worked in athletic departments at Memphis, Florida, Iowa State, Texas and his alma mater K-State.
The university formed an 11-person search committee and hired the search firm TurnKey ZRG to find its next AD.
Veatch will undertake a $250 million redevelopment to the Memorial Stadium north concourse, with the athletic department poised to foot half of that bill and a considerable chunk of those funds still needing to be raised.
The Missouri football team itself, however, appears to be in its most stable position in a decade. The Tigers went 11-2 last season, a year that culminated in a Cotton Bowl victory over Ohio State, before extending Drinkwitz through the 2028 season.
In Mizzou Arena, Gates and the men’s basketball team are coming off a historically poor season with a historically successful recruiting performance. The Tigers have one of the nation’s top transfer classes and will bring the country’s No. 4 high school class to Columbia this summer. Veatch likely will face questions about MU women’s basketball coach Robin Pingeton, who has entered the final year of her contract.
More: 5 things to know about new Missouri athletic director Laird Veatch
Missouri
Cameron's grand slam highlights 7-run inning for SE Missouri State in 9-3 win over Louisiana Tech
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Josh Cameron belted a grand slam and Ian Riley also drove in four runs, leading Southeast Missouri State to a 9-3 victory over Louisiana Tech on Saturday in an elimination game at the Fayetteville Regional.
SE Missouri State (35-26) stays alive and on Sunday will play the loser of Saturday’s later regional game between Kansas State and Arkansas.
Cameron’s grand slam capped a seven-run fourth inning that gave the Redhawks a 9-1 lead. Earlier in the inning, Riley had a two-run single. Brooks Kettering brought Riley home with a triple. Six of the seven runs were unearned after an infield throwing error to open the inning.
A two-out, two-run double by the Bulldogs’ Adarius Myers in the fifth inning was the game’s final scoring play.
It was the second loss of the day for Louisiana Tech (45-19) after the Bulldogs also lost to Kansas State 19-4 in the completion of a game that was suspended late Friday night.
Pay attention to what Missouri Attorney General candidates are telling us
Three Missouri Attorney General candidates participated in a Springfield town hall on May 21.
Andrew Bailey began serving as Attorney General in January 2023 upon appointment by Governor Parson. He comes across as a pugnacious fellow whose approach to problem solving features a lot of fighting and winning.
As an attorney representing Donald Trump, Will Scharf seems to be auditioning for a role in the Trump administration.
Elad Gross is a civil rights attorney who believes in small government, stressing enforcement of existing laws over making government larger and more intrusive in people’s lives. Gross is the only candidate who has published comprehensive plans for the Attorney General’s office.
Focusing on some of the town hall questions, Missouri voters care about campaign financing, gun safety, and elections.
On campaign contributions, the phrasing of the question allowed Scharf to state he wouldn’t take money from lobbyists, but to avoid mentioning that his campaign accepts contributions from PACs. Bailey’s Liberty and Justice PAC has received large contributions from billionaire donors. Gross takes no money from corporate PACs or lobbyists.
Concerning responsible gun safety measures, Bailey and Scharf chose to answer the question by proclaiming their support for the Second Amendment. Gross stated the Attorney General’s office has a role in prosecuting those responsible for gun violence using existing laws and preventing violence before it happens.
Scharf and Bailey proclaimed the 2020 presidential election was stolen. Bailey opined that elections in Iraq during his service there were freer and fairer than those run by local election officials in this country. What an insult to local election officials! Gross answered the question with a monosyllabic “no.”
Do the people of Missouri want an elected spreader of disinformation as Attorney General?
Carol Elliott, Columbia
Empowering older adults in the fight against elder abuse
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, observed on June 15, signifies our collective struggle against the mistreatment of older adults. Elder abuse is not only an individual problem; it’s a community and societal issue that reminds us to promote respect and dignity for older adults.
Elder abuse refers to intentional or neglectful acts by a caregiver or a trusted individual that cause harm to an older adult. It can come in the form of physical, emotional, neglect, and financial mistreatment – the latter being the most prevalent and easily executed through scams or fraud targeted at older adults. It’s a critical public health issue that can cause significant physical and psychological harm to older adults. A significant step towards preventing this abuse is equipping older adults and their caregivers with knowledge and resources to help prevent abuse.
The National Council on Aging estimates that approximately 5 million older adults are abused every year in the United States. This figure is both alarming and disheartening, considering it is said that only one in 14 cases is reported. Research findings estimate that older victims of financial fraud lose roughly $30 billion a year.
For older adults, defending against such abuse begins with awareness. Identifying potential frauds and cons such as lottery scams, identity theft, or email phishing schemes is crucial. Older people should be wary of unsolicited calls and emails, particularly those requesting personal information, money transfers, or unusual payment methods such as gift cards and any of these requests that are communicated with extreme urgency. Awareness training programs about these fraud methods can significantly enhance older adults’ ability to discern genuine transactions from scams.
The use of technology can also help people safeguard their financial assets. Enabling bank alerts for large transactions, using apps with real-time tracking of account activity, and setting up direct deposits for checks can minimize potential abuse. Equally pivotal is safeguarding essential documents and updating estate planning documents regularly.
The role of strong social networks in helping to prevent elder abuse can’t be overstated. Staying connected with family, friends, and community can deter potential abusers. However, social isolation became a growing issue for many older adults, especially during the pandemic. It’s crucial for all people across our lifespan to leverage technology to maintain relationships and stay active within our communities, reducing the risk of exploitation significantly.
Further, older adults must also feel informed and supported to report any instance of potential abuse. Fear or embarrassment can often deter individuals from reporting abuse. Support from community, family, and authorities is key to reassuring older adults that they’re not alone and that reporting is indeed a step towards prevention.
To report elder abuse, older adults or individuals concerned about them can reach out to the following resources:
- Adult Protective Services (APS): APS agencies serve as the primary agency responsible for receiving and investigating reports of elder abuse. You can locate your local APS office through the National Adult Protective Services Association’s website.
- Local Law Enforcement: In situations where an older adult is in immediate danger, contacting local law enforcement such as police or sheriff’s department is vital.
- National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA): This is a resource for information on elder abuse prevention. They can provide contacts and resources, including state reporting numbers, to assist.
- ElderCare Locator: A public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging, the ElderCare Locator connects you to services for older adults and their families. They can be reached at 1-800-677-1116.
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman: These are advocates for residents of nursing homes, board, and care homes, assisted living facilities, etc. They can provide information about how to find a facility and services and what to do to get quality care and support.
It is important to know that one can remain anonymous when reporting abuse, and most of the mentioned agencies are equipped to provide help even when the abuse has occurred in the past.
With a collaborative strategy in place, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield works in tandem with healthcare providers to detect early signs of elder abuse. We have taken great strides to implement caregiver education programs, because in many cases, the caregivers are the first line of defense in recognizing indicators of abuse. We are not just advocating prevention, but actively invested in providing solutions to help prevent elder abuse.
Our health plans are designed to support older adults by addressing the social drivers that can impact health, including social isolation – a significant risk factor for elder abuse. Our community members benefit from the resources and support services beyond traditional healthcare services that our plans can provide, including, for example, access to nutritious meals, safe and stable housing, and transportation. We continue to partner with organizations, nonprofits, and government agencies, aiming to create a safer, more supportive society where older adults are valued and included, and their rights are protected.
Older adults are valuable members of our society, and it is important we help ensure their safety, security, and wellness. As we observe World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, let us commit not only to raise awareness but also to actively work towards prevention strategies. Providing older adults with the essential knowledge and resources to help prevent abuse is a significant first step in this direction. Every step taken to protect citizens from abuse is a step towards a more caring and compassionate society.
Eugene Hsu, MD, MBA, is Senior Medicare Clinical Officer for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
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