Lauren Flaum is entering her eighth season on the Rocket women’s basketball staff and fourth as the University of Toledo’s director of basketball operations (DOBO) in 2020-21. Flaum coordinates or assists in various administrative areas, including budget management, camps, on-campus recruiting, apparel contact and academics. She also oversees expenditures and purchasing card procedures, maintains all databases for the staff, coordinates the guest coaches program, assists with compliance activities and fundraising and serves as the Toledo Women’s Basketball Fan Club liaison.
In addition, Flaum coordinates tape exchange with the opposition and assists with breaking down game film for the coaches.
“Lauren has been an integral part of our program over the past seven years,” three-time Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year Tricia Cullop said. “She goes above and beyond the call of duty and is always willing to lend a hand. Lauren is very caring, driven and organized.
Flaum previously worked four seasons as coordinator of women’s basketball and video coordinator at Toledo.
During her time at Toledo, the Midnight Blue & Gold has amassed a 130-96 overall record and a 69-57 mark in the conference. The Rockets have also advanced to the postseason on four occasions, including their first trip to the NCAA Championships since 2001 in 2016-17.
Life Before University of Toledo
Flaum came to the University of Toledo after working as a mortgage broker at Quicken Loans from 2012-13. She was responsible for establishing an ongoing financial services relationship with clients through the delivery of world-class service, as well consulting with clients about their current and future needs to help them achieve their financial goals.
A 2009 graduate of MAC member Eastern Michigan, Flaum remained at her alma mater as a graduate assistant video coordinator for both the women’s and men’s basketball programs from 2009-12. She was in charge of film exchange, assisted with video editing, assisted the coaches with scouting reports, planned travel arrangements including hotels, meals, and transportation; assisted the recruiting coordinator with on-campus visits for potential student-athletes; facilitated study tables for student-athletes; helped with academic needs and assisted in the planning and executing of both summer day camps and team camps.
As a student at Eastern Michigan, Flaum served as a manager for the men’s basketball team for four years. She traveled with the team and assisted in both pre- and post-game operations, including film sessions, practices and meals. She also filmed and edited practices and updated statistics for the staff. For her efforts, Flaum was named the Men’s Basketball Manager of the Year for the 2008-09 season.
Flaum was also very active in campus activities during her time at EMU and served as both the vice president and president of the College Panhellenic Council. She provided strategic leadership to the College Panhellenic Council Executive Board and oversaw nine sororities and over 350 sorority women. She also promoted positive relationships and implemented a community-wide assessment program to share community standards. Her efforts did not go without notice as she received the Outstanding Character Award for the EMU Panhellenic Council in 2007-08 and the Sister of the Year for the Sigma Delta Tau Sorority in 2006-07.
A native of nearby Sylvania, Ohio, Flaum earned her bachelor’s degree in communication from Eastern Michigan in 2009 and master’s degree in health and human services in sport management from EMU in 2011.
