Mike Laprey enters his first year as a member of the the University of Rhode Island Athletics Department. He will serve as the Assistant Athletics Director for Sports Communications.

Laprey comes to Kingston after spending this past year at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis. In that role, Laprey served as the day-to-day media contact for the nationally ranked women's basketball, women's soccer, and cross country programs.

Prior to that, Laprey spent seven years at Iona College in New Rochelle, N.Y., elevating to the role of Associate AD/Athletic Communications.

While at Iona, Laprey was in charge of all media relations efforts for the Gaels' 21 varsity sports, including serving as department spokesman and chief editor and publisher for all athletic publications and media releases. During the summer of 2003, he played an integral role in Iona's rebranding efforts, including helping develop a new logo and series of wordmarks, as well as a total revamping of the official athletics website. In May, 2003, he earned his master's degree in journalism from Iona.

He began at Iona in the Fall of 1998, serving a dual role as as a graduate assistant in the sports information office and an assistant coach for the Gaels' nationally-ranked men's cross country team. During the 1997-98 academic year, Laprey served as a media relations assistant at the BIG EAST Conference.

A 1997 graduate of Fairfield University with a degree in economics and philosophy, Laprey began his career as an undergraduate assistant in the Fairfield sports information office. He was a three-year letterman for the Stags cross country squad and was President and co-founder of the Fairfield University Track Club. He also served as head men's basketball manager for the Stags' 1995-96 NIT season and served in the same capacity for the women's team in 1996-97.

A native of Providence, R.I., Laprey lives in Jamestown.