NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
Aug. 31, 2025

Lauren McQuillan Announced as Sophie’s Squad Ambassador

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota — Lauren McQuillan, a rower at Sacred Heart University, is set to join Sophie’s Squad’s new ambassador program. 

McQuillan is a sophomore at the Connecticut institution and is part of an accomplished rowing team that was recently voted 2nd in their conference preseason poll. Before committing to rowing, McQuillan also played hockey at Holy Angels Academy and Mound-Westonka. While at Mound-Westonka, the standout athlete participated in a Sophie’s Squad mental health awareness game. That experience had a meaningful impression on McQuillan.

“Sophie’s story and Sophie’s Squad as a whole has had such an impact on my life, it taught me the importance of mental health awareness…As an athlete, I am constantly highlighting resources to teammates and friends in my life because you never know when someone is struggling,” McQuillan said, “You can always provide resources to others. So, my goals are to promote Sophie’s Squad not only to SHU Athletes, but athletes globally while being a resource anyone can come to when it comes to mental health.”

As an ambassador, McQuillan will continue championing Sophie’s Squad while advancing mental health awareness and initiatives. Ambassadors promote Sophie’s Squad through the power of their reach as high-level elite athletes. Sophie’s Squad marketing director, Ryan Bahl, spoke about McQuillan’s involvement with the organization.

“Lauren McQuillan is an excellent representative of Sophie’s Squad and we’re excited to partner with her.” Bahl said, “Lauren has already worked with us in the past when she wrote an article about Sophie’s Squad’s involvement in Hockey Day Minnesota 2023. She’s very passionate about the organization and the mission. Her dedication is a huge asset for our organization.

McQuillan is the latest athlete to join Sophie’s Squad’s ambassador program, joining a list of dedicated team members. The organization is excited to partner with a diverse group of athletes across all sports, age groups, and backgrounds.

Sophie’s Squad was founded in 2021 to raise awareness of mental health issues and remove the stigma associated with seeking help for athletes.