PLNU Athletics

In the early years of Crusader athletics the multi-sport athlete was not uncommon as PC attempted to broaden its intercollegiate program. As the program grew and overall skill level from team to team improved dramatically, the two- and three- sport athlete began to disappear from the Crusader sport scene.

These factors make the accomplishments of Rick Mallicoat, a Pasadena native who donned the Crusader green and gold in the early and mid ‘70s, truly remarkable. Rick entered PC with strong credentials: five varsity letters at Pasadena High School —two in baseball, two in basketball and one in golf. All five of Mallicoat’s high school teams won league championships. Not only did Mallicoat participate on three separate varsity teams at PC/PLC, he excelled at each. A starting guard with a deadly jumpshot in basketball, a versatile infielder/outfielder in baseball and a superb golfer, Mallicoat earned an unheard of 12 varsity letters for the Crusaders. He is the only person ever to win the Meguiar Most Outstanding Athlete Award as a freshman.

After two years as an assistant pro at the prestigious Bel Air Country Club, Mallicoat literally toured the world for three years playing on the international golf tour. His greatest victory came on the Australian tour when he won the 200 South Sea Golf Classic in Fiji over runner up Greg Norman in 1980. He also played in the British Open and Scandinavian Open with such top players as Mark O’Meara, Craig Stadler and Scott Simpson. He later worked as a youth pastor for Bellflower Nazarene Church .

The award for Outstanding Achievement by an Athlete was presented to Mallicoat by Ross Irwin.