He was "one of the greatest Dartmouth ends in recent years," The Dartmouth proclaimed in 1953.
Indeed, 51 years later, former College President David T. McLaughlin '54 still holds a number of Dartmouth football records.
While McLaughlin is best known for the six and one-half turbulent years he served as the College's president, his Dartmouth sports career was equally historic.
In his four years at Dartmouth, McLaughlin, who graduated near the top of his class, was a three-sport athlete who set records and earned honors throughout his career.
He lettered in track, basketball and football and was the recipient of the annual Kenneth Archibald Athletic Prize for the 1953-54 academic year's best all-around athlete.
McLaughlin was the star receiver of the 1953 Dartmouth football squad, which was ranked nationally in aerial offense. That year, McLaughlin came in fourth in national statistics among receivers.
"Dave McLaughlin is as good as any pro end," Dartmouth football coach Toss McLaughry said of his star receiver after the season.
During his senior year, the All-East receiver had two particularly stellar outings and was ultimately drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles, an offer he declined.
In a 32-0 upset rout of the Yale Bulldogs at the Yale Bowl, McLaughlin was brilliant in front of the hostile crowd -- 38,000 spectators strong. He caught two touchdown passes and made a remarkable grab, setting up another touchdown on the next play, when he leaped into the air with two defenders covering him.
Later in the year, against Cornell, the 6'1" Michigan native hauled in nine passes, tying what was at the time an Ivy League record.
As a senior, McLaughlin was first in the Ivy League in total offense. At the time of his death, he still held a number of Dartmouth records. Though he will be remembered mostly for his tumultuous term in office in the mid-1980s, McLaughlin will also go down in history as one of the College's greatest athletes.
