Vance Manakas is wrapping the foot of an injured athlete while two more students are awaiting their treatment. Another student is waiting on a stretcher for her leg to be massaged and one more student is just walking in the door.

This is a typical Thursday afternoon for Manakas, athletic trainer at Moorpark College and the Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) Classified Employee of the Year.

Remy McCarthy, coach of the Moorpark College Women’s Basketball Team, has observed athletic trainers in the NBA as well as major collegiate sports and says Manakas is the most competent individual he has ever worked with.

“To say we are lucky to have him is an understatement,” said McCarthy.

Manakas was named the VCCCD Classified Employee of the Year at the Board of Trustees Meeting in February. Michael Shanahan, Vice Chancellor of Human Resources, said in an email that this puts him in the running for Community Colleges Classified Employee of the Year of California.

According to Shanahan, six recipients will be chosen in May by the Community Colleges Board of Governors to receive this honor. Each recipient will receive $500 and as well as a commemorative plaque

Sharon Manakas, health-educator at Moorpark College and Vance Manakas’ wife, said earning the title of VCCCD Classified Employee of the Year is an honor.

“I am proud of all that Vance has done and continues to do not only as an employee of VCCCD but as a husband and father,” said Mrs. Manakas.

Vance Manakas has worked at Moorpark College for 33 years and started on his 24th birthday. He is the first one on the scene when an athlete is injured. He then treats the injury and evaluates the appropriate course of action which might include contacting a physician or creating a rehabilitation program himself. He also identifies weaknesses in student athletes and works to repair them. Regardless of how many students he must attend to, Manakas said he always shows he cares.

“I try to make a lasting impression on them as someone who listens and cares about them as a person,” said Manakas. “I try to make them all feel ‘special.’”

It is evident compassion is a priority for Manakas in his line of work. When asked what his favorite attribute about Manakas was Jeremiah Gray, a student athlete at Moorpark College, said Manakas is a professional at combining care and competence.

“The thing I like most about Vance is that he is very understanding and he is the best at what he does,” said Gray.