College Celebrates New Athletics Complex Outgoing President Dr. David Viar took his turn at the podium one last time By Alex Leon
Opening of Kinesiology and Vaquero Athletic Complex is a fitting send-off for retiring Superintendent/President Dr. David Viar The most important victory in the decades-long history of Glendale Community College Athletics came on the beautiful sun-drenched morning of June 24, with all the trappings of celebration in place and a beautiful prize waiting to be unwrapped. The crowd was in place much like at any other game for the Vaqueros but this time the outcome was predetermined and the drama was building in a different way as speaker after speaker set the tone until the man of the hour, Superintendent/President Dr. David Viar, took his turn at the podium one last time at GCC. Teamwork. Ask Dr. Viar and he would probably agree that it is the most important ingredient
to running a successful business, being in a leadership role at a community college or being the head coach of a sports team at any level. Most people know Dr. Viar as the now-retired Superintendent/President of Glendale Community College, the administrative leader of the 95-year-old institution, first established in 1927 as part of Glendale Union High School until it moved to its current location at Mountain Street and Verdugo Road in 1937. His retirement in June after nine years in his current role since he started in 2013, has helped GCC maintain and improve its status as one of the premier learning institutions in the state. But using a sports vernacular, Dr. Viar was also the head coach at GCC, which seems an appropriate term to use considering he grew up as a successful studentathlete in Illinois and was the son of a hall of fame high school football coach
Photo Courtesy of the GCC Office of Communications and Community Relations
The gym facility in the new complex is pictured.
Photo Courtesy of the GCC Office of Communications and Community Relations
On June 24, a ribbon cutting ceremony marked the opening of the Vaquero Athletic Complex. Dr. David Viar poses with faculty and staff from Athletics and Kinesiology.
who carefully guided his son away from the gridiron and instilled in him the values that have served him well to this day. “In high school, he wanted me to be happy and I don’t think either of us was happy with me trying to play football just because he was the head coach, and I was his son,” he said with a laugh. “We both agreed I was probably better suited to be a swimmer and water polo player because of my frame but the real lesson that I learned was to be patient and thoughtful [in] making decisions based on my future and I think that has worked out pretty well for me.”
The now-completed kinesiology and athletic complex, the new science building under construction, and a performing and media arts center that will bear his name, slated as the third pillar of growth facilitated by the passage of the GCC Bond Measure in 2016. Fast-forwarding ahead to the end of his tenure, the months and days have dropped off the calendar as business as usual has been conducted and he has responded like a proud father wishing his flock well. He was beaming with pride and joy at graduation on June 15 as the classes of 2020, 2021 and 2022 resplendent in caps and Sitting inside his office on a gowns of cardinal and gold recent spring day, the area walked across the stage had the trappings of an into futures that he helped administrator but also the provide a guided pathway memories of a career path for. that has spanned decades. Of course, he did not do it Most importantly to him is alone and like any what the future holds for successful coach in any GCC, namely the three sport, he defers to GCC’s projects on the horizon Board of Trustees, his that will be a boon for administrative team, the students, faculty, staff, and faculty and staff at the community as well. Glendale, and of course the
