Legendary Baseball Coach Paul MacLaughlin Inducted Into Region 19 Hall Of Fame

Mt Pocono, PA - Legendary Brookdale Community College Head Baseball Coach, Paul MacLaughlin, was inducted to the first annual Region 19 Hall of Fame on Sunday, May 5th, 2024, at the Mt. Airy Resort and Casino in Mt. Pocono, PA. MacLaughlin was chosen by the Region 19 Hall of Fame Committee for being instrumental in the development of Region 19. 

Legendary and NJCAA Hall-of-Fame Coach Paul MacLaughlin started the baseball program at Brookdale Community College in 1970 and built a great baseball tradition until his retirement in 1998. In his 28 years, MacLaughlin held an all-time record of 858-245-1 and took the team to the NJCAA World Series seven times. MacLaughlin won 26 GSAC championships – including 13 straight and eight Region XIX Championships. MacLaughlin's record has been built with good hitting, strong pitching, a rare ability to spot exceptional talent and to get his players to give him 100%.

MacLaughlin's illustrious career is highlighted by the individual accolades his players produced: 17 All-Americans; 85 All-Region honorees and 71 All-GSAC award winners; and 59 players drafted by MLB teams. For all the players that MacLaughlin has coached over the years, including numerous Major League Baseball draftees, winning was most important to him. MacLaughlin taught his players how to win on and off the baseball diamond. He created an environment for his teams to become family and the family tradition has held its deep roots in Jersey Blues history.

MacLaughlin, a native of Atlantic Highlands, NJ received his bachelor's degree in mathematics from Randolph Macon College where he was a two-time All Mason-Dixon selection, captain of the baseball team his senior year, an All-American team member and was named outstanding college baseball player in the state of virginia. He earned his Master's degree at William and Mary and started the school's first soccer team. He also led the baseball team to their first-ever victory and to a conference championship. He returned to New Jersey where he first taught at Henry Hudson Regional High School to then becoming a full-time mathematics faculty member at Brookdale Community College.

He has been honored for his outstanding coaching career at the GSAC, Region, and national level as well as a member of several Hall of Fames including, the Brookdale Community College Athletics Hall of Fame, The National Junior College Athletic Association Baseball Hall of Fame, and the Jersey Shore Sports Writers Hall of Fame.

Additionally, the Brookdale baseball field on campus is named in his honor.

*Fun Fact – Coach MacLaughlin recruited Bo Scannapieco to be a baseball student-athlete at Brookdale. Bo Scannapieco recorded the first-ever hit on the baseball field.

CONGRATULATIONS COACH MACLAUGHLIN!