When fans scroll through game recaps on the Citrus College athletics website (citrusowls.com), they see the finished product of Owls sports. What they rarely see is the person working behind the scenes.
As the campus sports information coordinator, Nick MacLaughlin works in a role that is necessary to the athletic department, though few people outside the program realize how much work it actually takes.
“He’s the point person for all public relations duties for our department,” Assistant Athletic Director Andrew Wheeler said. “He takes stats, maintains the website, runs all of our social media, organizes photography with our student-workers, and does so for all of our 16 sports. He’s a hard worker.”
The workload becomes especially heavy when seasonal schedules overlap in the fall.
“In the fall, it can get hectic with football, water polo, and soccer going at the same time,” MacLaughlin said. “In October, both basketballs start at the same time, and you also have cross country. I think managing time to make sure that each sport gets dedicated recaps, stories, graphics, and social media presence.”
His reporting requires daily communication between the athletic office, coaches and players.
“He’s always available to our coaches and students, and is really invested in making sure our student-athletes have the best experience possible,” Wheeler said.
For MacLaughlin, working in sports is a natural fit. He was raised in West Covina before finishing high school in Claremont, he grew up playing basketball and staying active in sports. He went on to Northern Arizona University, where he studied exercise science and got his start working in student recreation.
His early career involved moving through several different positions. His first job out of college was at Scripps College in Claremont as the facilities coordinator for the health and wellness center, while also working in the Citrus College fitness center. Then, Grand Canyon University, where talking with the sports information director, sparked his interest in athletic press.
Getting hired as the full-time sports information coordinator brought him back to his roots.
“I felt good, really happy when I got the position, I was back home,” MacLaughlin said. “I feel like home here.”
His duties are concentrated on highlighting the athletic achievements of Citrus students.
“It’s just uplifting our student-athletes and our students as a whole and shining the spotlight on them, because it’s about them at the end of the day,” MacLaughlin said.
MacLaughlin’s journey from a local high school gym to the Citrus athletic department office can hopefully inspire Citrus students and show them that dedication can help them reach their goals.
“If you enjoy it, it’s your passion, it’s not going to feel like a job,” MacLaughlin said.
