5Questions for ... Joe McLaughlin

What is it you do? I’m the program coordinator here at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center. I oversee programming for the city’s recreation department here and at other city recreation facilities like the soccer fields we use at Saratoga Casino & Raceway. Where are you originally from? I was born in Portland, Maine, but from third grade on I grew up in Greenfield. I graduated from Saratoga Springs High School in 2004 and went to SUNY Cortland and graduated with a degree in recreation management.

What did you like about being involved with the rec programs when you were a youth?

I always had fun. The programs are a great thing to have. It’s more about learning the sport than competing. I played baseball, basketball and soccer with the

city and Greenfield recreation programs.

Where do you like to go and relax?

If I had time I would be somewhere near the mountains. I love the Adirondacks but don’t get there enough. I also like the Maine beaches a lot. We used to go there as a family every year.

Why would you encourage area youths to become involved in the city’s recreation programs?

Instead of focusing on competition, which is a growing trend, we want kids to focus on skill development and how to play the sport correctly. We want kids to have fun and we want everyone to play the sports. It’s about learning, not about winning.