As a high school Track and Field athlete, Danny Escobar was recruited to PVCC by George Page and Todd Lehman, the Sprints and Head Coaches of the Track and Field team, respectively. After conversations and visits to campus with his parents, Danny decided PVCC was the best option for him. He says Todd was, and continues to be, a mentor in his life. He also appreciates the close relationships he established with PVCC Athletic Trainers, Rick Wade and Derek Russ, as well as his Sports Psychology instructor, Doug Berry. As a member of the Track and Field team, Danny competed in all short sprint events (100m, 200m, 400m, the 4x100m, and 4x400m relays).
Danny notes that to this day, he still benefits from many of his classes. “Even though I was not a fan, I loved my Pre-Calculus class my first year. The instructor did a great job teaching things and making them relevant,” says Danny. “Communications 101 has been the most relevant to my career thus far! Having the ability to speak in front of a crowd, maintain attention, and understanding interpersonal communication has tremendous application within coaching and leading a department. Considering my educational focus, many of my biological science, statistical analysis, and social classes have also had tremendous application.”
In addition to his time as a student athlete, Danny is appreciative of the fact that his PVCC experience enabled him to take on a leadership role with the Track & Field team as he helped guide the younger athletes. In addition, Danny says he truly enjoyed being involved in SWAP (Student Wellness At PVCC). “The work we did on campus during events and around the community was amazing,” Danny shared. “One of the memorable events was donating Christmas gifts to families in need in December. I was able to deliver them in-person to Spanish-only families and that will stay with me forever.”
Danny believes the level of education and career preparation he received at PVCC was second to none. Taking classes in the new biology building “was a great experience, especially since I was able to go into a career within biological sciences.”
Through his coursework and extracurricular activities, Danny had the opportunity to get to know people and value them for who they are. He says, “everyone has different backgrounds and experiences, but we all were working to better ourselves and others in some capacity.”
As a recipient of an athletic scholarship, Danny shared, “the scholarships were a primary motivator in my journey. Knowing that I could have an opportunity to have a portion of my education paid for because of my work and commitment has provided me with the respect and value of earning things through perseverance.”
In Spring 2014, Danny earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science. From 2015 to 2017, he worked as an affiliate-level Strength & Conditioning Coach for the Los Angeles Angels. He then served as the Rehab S&C Coordinator in 2018 and transitioned to Minor League S&C Coordinator from 2019 to 2021. Since 2022, Danny has been the Minor League S&C Coordinator for the Cincinnati Reds.