Change is one thing Harvard men's soccer captain Tom McLaughlin has proven he can handle very well.

After coming to Harvard as a forward and playing that position in his freshman year, McLaughlin was moved to marking back as a sophomore to help his team. Despite the switch, he was named to the All-Ivy Second Team that year.

The following season, Harvard Coach Steve Locker moved McLaughlin back to forward to spark the Crimson's offense. The results: a 16-2 record and an NCAA Tournament victory for Harvard, a school record 16-game winning streak by the Crimson and a spot for McLaughlin on the All-Ivy First Team.

In his junior season McLaughlin also led the Ancient Eight in scoring with 41 points on 13 goals and 15 assists. His 15 assists set a new Harvard single-season record, and his 41 points ranked him among the top 20 players in the nation in overall scoring. He also earned Third Team Academic All-American honors.

Remaining at forward this season, McLaughlin capped off a tremendous collegiate career by leading the Ivies in scoring once again with 32 points (12 goals, eight assists), breaking the Harvard all-time assists mark--McLaughlin registered 25 career assists, eclipsing the previous record of 23--and becoming only the second Harvard player ever to earn Ivy League Player of the Year honors. He was also named a Second-Team Academic All-American and a First-Team Northeast Region All-American.

It would seem that versatility is a trait McLaughlin has mastered. But the greatest testament to his ability to adapt to new situations is the post-Commencement job that McLaughlin has lined up for himself.

On February 1, the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer (MLS) selected McLaughlin in the third round of the MLS draft as the 36th overall pick, and exactly two weeks ago, on May 21, the man known to many simply as Tommy Mac signed the contract that officially placed him on the Revolution's 20-man roster. McLaughlin's long-time dream of becoming a professional soccer player had finally become a reality.

"[Signing the contract] was an awesome feeling," McLaughlin said. "My dad got a few days off from work and came up--my family's renowned for coming to all of our events--so that was nice."

"I was so nervous; I just wanted to get it over with. The coaches were very supportive, and they've all been great. I was just walking on clouds that day," he said.

One day later on Friday, May 22, McLaughlin saw action in his first professional game versus the Columbus Crew. And 10 minutes into his 32-minute debut, Tommy Mac let all of MLS know that he had no plans of letting up in the pros.

Off of a Revolution corner kick, McLaughlin gained position in front of the Columbus goal, and as the Crew's goaltender attempted to claw his way over McLaughlin's back, the Harvard senior managed to knock the ball into the net. In a questionable decision, the referee disallowed the goal, saying McLaughlin had obstructed the goalie.

Still, the play stands as another testament to McLaughlin's uncanny ability to adapt to new situations--in less than a quarter of an hour, Tommy Mac had elevated his play from the college level to that required of him in the professional ranks.

But if talent and versatility are McLaughlin'sobvious assets, his heart and commitment to thegame he loves are the less highlighted, yetequally vital, traits that make Tommy Mac theincredible athlete and individual that he is. Oneneed only examine his journey from MLS draft dayto the day he signed four months later tounderstand.

Even after being selected by the Revolution,McLaughlin had every intention of completing hisacademic collegiate career and graduating with theClass of 1998. He knew that finishing his finalsemester would prevent him from joining on withthe Revolution in time for the start of the MLSseason in late March.

McLaughlin informed Revolution Coach ThomasRongen of his intention to complete his degreerequirements, and he selflessly expressed hiswillingness to play in the lower A-league ranksfor a time in order to prove his worth. But it wasprecisely this aspect of McLaughlin's attitude,coupled with his ability to play a number ofpositions, that had prompted Rongen and theRevolution to draft McLaughlin.

"Anytime you draft a rookie, particularly insoccer, where it is quite a jump from college tothe professional level, you have to take along-term view," Rongen said. "For spots numbers18, 19 and 20 on the roster, you look for playerswho can play more than one position to give youdepth. Tommy was moved from defense to forward,which shows what a talented and versatile playerhe is."

So McLaughlin's plan was to join the Revolutionfor a preseason trip in Mexico during his springbreak. But the trip and his plans were abruptlyput on hold when his grandfather passed away justtwo days before he was scheduled to join the teamin Mexico. McLaughlin spent his spring break withhis family in Pennsylvania, and his opportunitiesto showcase his skills and earn a spot on theRevolution's roster were quickly slipping away.

As the MLS season began, McLaughlin foundhimself unsigned, without a roster spot andlooking forward to final exams. But Tommy Mac wasdetermined to work his way into professionalsoccer. In the midst of final exams, he shuttledhimself daily from Harvard to the Revolution'spractices at Babson College, often having toborrow friends' cars in order to make the trip.

"That was the hardest part," McLaughlinremembers. "When exams started, that's when it wasreally hard. I was always the first to leavepractice, and that doesn't always look good."

"But the guys on the team were great. They havebeen very interested in my work, and they werenice about everything. Things like that give youthe self-confidence you need," he said.

That self-confidence must have helpedMcLaughlin impress Rongen. On a bus ride home froman A-league scrimmage in Connecticut, Rongencalled McLaughlin to the front of the bus and madehim an offer he couldn't refuse. Rongen toldMcLaughlin to forget about playing A-league,because the Revolution wanted him on its roster,and management wanted to sign him as soon aspossible. At that moment, Tommy Mac's dream becamea reality.

"My freshman year at Harvard, if you had toldme I'd have a shot to play pro soccer, I wouldhave told you you were crazy," McLaughlin said.

But playing professional soccer is exactly whathe will be doing. And he will be doing it because,aside from the skills needed to compete at thehighest levels in his sport, McLaughlin showed thedetermination necessary to achieve a lofty goal bydoing more than what was asked of him.

Shortly after the MLS draft, Rongen commentedon McLaughlin's situation.

"My biggest dilemma [is that] I cannot keep aspot on the 20-man roster open for him if I feelhe's not ready to step in and contribute," hesaid. "But we realized when we drafted him that hewas going to finish school, and we're willing towait."

Luckily McLaughlin was not willing to wait, andthe Revolution did not have to. In sporadicpractices during a hectic schedule, McLaughlin wasable to show Rongen and the rest of theRevolution's coaching staff that he was ready tostep in and contribute. But that should come as nosurprise to Harvard fans who have watched TommyMac shuffle positions over the last four years tohelp the Crimson in any way he could.

"During high school, I played back for my clubteam [FC Delco] while I was playing forward on myhigh school team," McLaughlin explained. "I didthat for three or four years before coming toHarvard, so I've been learning to adapt since Istarted playing.

"Being versatile on a pro team helps meconsiderably in training sessions. I can do a lotof things pretty well, and that helps earn therespect of other players and coaches."

McLaughlin does not know how long he will playprofessional soccer, but he knows where he wantsto be in the future. And as one would expect, thecharacteristics of his plans--variety andgenerosity--symbolize who he is as a player and asa person.

"It's so hard to tell what I'll be doing in thefuture," McLaughlin says, "but I'd like to be onWall Street working in venture capital for awhile, and eventually I'd like to end up teachinghigh school and coaching soccer at the high schoollevel.

"High school is a great age to help mold kidsinto great young people. My [LaSalle] high schoolcoach [Bob Peffle] is a great person who did somuch for me, and he is still a wonderful friend ofmine."

For now, however, McLaughlin will spend histime playing the sport he loves on the soccerfields of MLS. And he feels his time at Harvardhas helped him prepare for what lies ahead.

"I feel I've had solid [soccer] preparationhere at Harvard," McLaughlin said. "I came here toget a great education, and any athleticpreparation is just a benefit. But [Harvard CoachSteve] Locker is a great coach and a greattactician."

McLaughlin is also indebted to the Harvardsoccer program for providing him with what heconsiders four extraordinary years.

"The best decision of my life was coming toHarvard," McLaughlin said. "I got so much morethan I expected out if it. Playing soccer heremade such a difference in my life, and it helpedme meet two of my greatest friends in [fellowseniors] Ricky Le and Toure McCluskey."

"I wish everyone who came to Harvard had achance to be a part of some team, because the teamthat I've been a part of has been a great part ofmy life," he continued. "If I had one piece ofadvice for Harvard students, it would be to becomea part of something; get to know the people herebecause they are all so special in so many ways."

As he embarks on another exciting leg of hisjourney through life, McLaughlin's focus is on thepeople who have made the last one so special. Aconsummate team player, even his fondest memoriesof Harvard soccer revolve around teamaccomplishments, apparently indifferent to thefact that he was at the center of Harvard soccerfor so long.

"My best memory at Harvard was when we beatB.U. last year in the first round of the NCAATournament," said McLaughlin of Harvard's 3-2overtime victory, in which he scored thegame-tying goal with two minutes to play inregulation. "I'll never forget that feeling,standing in the six-yard box and watching Johnny[Vrionis '97] head that ball in. It was atremendous feeling.

"Another one has to be my freshman year when wewon the Ivy League title with a 5-8-2 record,"continued McLaughlin, as his voice swelled withexcitement at the thought of that contest. "Itcame down to the final game of the season at homeversus Brown."

"There were so many fans that they brokethrough the barriers and were standing on thefield, but the referee just called to play on. Andwhen we won in overtime, everyone just rushed thefield. It was great," he said.

It seems that McLaughlin will leave Harvardwith as many fond memories of his time here as hehas provided for Harvard soccer fans. And with thespirit, skill, dedication and commitment toexcellence he has demonstrated throughout hiscollege career, many more memorable moments mayawait him in the future.

"Playing soccer now just feels like the rightthing to do," McLaughlin says. "I've never devotedall my time to soccer. I'm excited to see what Ican do, how much I can improve and how far I cango."

So are we, Tommy Mac. So are we.Crimson File Photo