Just three short seasons ago, in 2022, Mikaela Thomson-Spurlin was playing first base and cranking home runs at UVU’s Wolverine Softball Field. During her lone season playing for her father, Head Coach Cody Thomson, she led the team in home runs, slugging percentage, runs batted in (RBI), and total bases. Her 50 RBI is the second most in program history. Before her time on the Orem diamond, she played three seasons at Utah Tech University and a season in Cedar City with Southern Utah University. “I thought I was done with sports in 2021,” Thomson-Spurlin stated. “But my dad was hired as the head softball coach at UVU and said he never got a chance to see me play.” Coach Thomson was an assistant coach at the University of Utah before taking over the head coaching role at UVU. “So, I graduated from Utah Tech and came to UVU and earned a certificate in digital marketing during my final year. He got to watch me play in 56 games!”

 With softball in her rearview mirror, Thomson-Spurlin decided to make sports marketing her career and was hired in the UVU Athletics Department after a short stint at an eye care center. Currently, as UVU Athletics’ Assistant Director of Marketing, Thomson-Spurlin oversees a team of student employees, managing digital marketing and the fan experience. Having been on the student-athlete side of things, she has a unique perspective on the administrative side of sports and the similarities the two share. “I love being in athletics because people generally understand the hustle of it and the long hours, just like when you are a player,” she stated. “And I think when you look at working long hours and go through the low of lows and the high of highs with the team, I feel like it brings people together.”

Ask anyone who has worked for a prolonged period in athletics at any level, and you will find that element of hustle, passion, and agility in the job. So, why do it? Thomson-Spurlin says it’s about the student-athletes and seeing their specific growth. “Winning fixes the rough parts of the job, for sure,” she added. “But I love seeing the growth of our athletes and programs (at UVU) and being a part of that growth. I also love to see the passion our coaches and student-athletes have to be their best.”

Many wonder and glamourize working in athletics. While that can be true, the areas most people don’t see — the late nights, travel, and stress of the logistical side of games — can make the grind of working in the profession hard to handle long-term. How to avoid that potential burnout? Thomson-Spurlin says it comes down to “passion” and “great leadership.”

“UVU Athletics is gritty,” she mentioned. “We do a lot with less (than bigger universities) and feel like that makes our student-athletes and employees willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done.”  

Like all of us, having good mentors and leaders around us who want our success is a vital element when working in athletics. “I felt that here a lot of people, for example, Kameron Dearing (Assistant Athletic Director of Marketing), who is one of my biggest mentors, and he's very particular, but has shown me that he will just do whatever it takes to get the job done, even if it is last minute, even if it is 10 pm, we always just find a way.”

Dearing speaks highly of his fellow marketing colleague, "Mikaela epitomizes the UVU athletics mission: success in the classroom, success in competition, success in the community, and success in life. She is an invaluable team member whose impact will continue to resonate wherever her journey takes her."

Reflecting on her journey, Thomson-Spurlin embodies the dedication and passion that fuels UVU Athletics. From her days as a standout player under her father’s coaching to her current role shaping the fan experience and supporting student-athletes in marketing, Spurlin’s story is a testament to the power of hard work, mentorship, and perseverance. As she continues to thrive in her marketing role, she remains driven by the same love for the game and the desire to see others grow and succeed. The hustle, challenges, and triumphs of working in athletics are never easy, but for Thomson-Spurlin, the rewards — both on and off the field — are worth every ounce of effort. Through her leadership, passion, and commitment to the UVU community, Thomson-Spurlin proves that you can still be a part of something bigger even when you’re no longer playing the game.