Oct. 18, 2005

A college education opens doors to many different possibilities, leading the committed to an infinite amount of opportunities. There is no that knows this more than Mike Mancias, who is a product of The University of Texas-Pan American system.

Mancias is currently an assistant athletic trainer with the Cleveland Cavaliers, a NBA franchise. His primary role with the organization is to assist the head athletic trainer with all daily treatments, rehabs, organizational and administrative duties as well as aid their strength and conditioning staff if the situation calls for it.

"A typical practice day has me in the office by 8:15 a.m., where I begin to set up our training room," Mancias commented. "Depending on the day's events, the head athletic trainer and I will usually be out of the arena by six or seven in the evening."

Before heading toward greener pastors, the Bronc alumnus was enrolled at UTPA from the spring of 1996-2000 pursuing a degree in athletic training. He then served as graduate assistant the following year with the university. After a short departure from UTPA, Mancias returned for another year as the assistant athletic trainer.

"I believe that UTPA gave me the initial opportunity to explore and test athletic training as a possible long-term career. The experience and confidence the program gave me helped develop a passion for my job as an athletic trainer," Mancias added.

The opportunities of receiving an education at UTPA quickly led him with the organization. He worked as a volunteer athletic trainer during the 2003 and 2004 summer leagues with the club. Mancias said that he then became the team's season assistant athletic trainer during 2004-05 and was just recently hired on full-time as the assistant athletic trainer.

"UTPA provided me with the experience and knowledge to succeed at this level," Mancias continued.

Mancias said that he enjoys what he does very much and where he is in his life, but the comforts of home leave him missing the Valley. He said that the thing that he misses about home is his family.

"I also miss hanging out with my circle of close knit friends that I have had for several years," he continued.

All in all, Mancias said that the best thing about working with a professional NBA team is just that - working at that level.

UTPA Sports Information