Dennis Lauscha, a graduate of Loyola University and the newly promoted president of the New Orleans Saints, will return to his alma mater to teach a course on the business of professional football at the university's inaugural Alumni College.
“The New Orleans Saints: The Business of Football” will be held June 22-24. Registration is available for $275 per person for the entire weekend, or $150 per person to attend Saturday events only, and includes session fees, meals (excluding dinner at Arnaud’s Restaurant) and parking.
Lauscha, who was promoted recently by team owner Tom Benson, previously served as an executive vice president and chief financial officer. He will take a more extensive role within the Saints organization and is expected to have a similar role with Benson’s New Orleans Hornets.
A New Orleans native and graduate of Jesuit High School, Lauscha joined the Saints as treasurer in 1998 and has been steadily moving up through the organization ever since. As team president, he will maintain his role on the Saints' board of directors and will continue to oversee the financial operations of the team. In addition, he will take on the responsibility of overseeing the club’s marketing, ticket operations, legal department and community affairs.
According to a report by The Times-Picayune, Lauscha played a key role in acquiring the Hornets, as well as brokering the Saints’ recent long-term lease agreement with the state of Louisiana, which will keep the team in New Orleans through 2025. In addition to playing a key part in bringing Super Bowl XLVII to New Orleans next year, Lauscha was also responsible for expanding Benson’s media presence by purchasing WVUE-TV and Horizon Entertainment, a film production company.
“He was a youngster when he came here, and I had to watch him close,” Benson told The Times-Picayune. “He’s come a long way, I can tell you. He’s sure been a great asset to our company. And he’s involved with everything. One thing with Dennis, you never ask him to work on a project and he turns it down. He’s involved in everything, isn’t he?”
Loyola College of Business Dean William Locander says, despite his busy schedule, Lauscha has still found time and energy to contribute back to Loyola.
“Dennis has been a loyal Loyola supporter for many years. He has done everything from hire our College of Business students as interns and full-time employees to serving as chair of our visiting committee,” Locander said. “We are proud to have him as a graduate of our MBA program, a friend of the university, and we congratulate him on his success.”