Meet Your Athletic Trainers

Head Athletic Trainer Steve Handy

Head Athletic Trainer Steve Handy has over three decades of experience in athletic training, and a deeply rooted history with Citrus College. Handy, who grew up in Glendora graduated from Glendora High School and then went on to attend and graduate from Citrus College. Handy also attended the University of La Verne before becoming a certified trainer through ASMATA and becoming a CCCATA member.

Handy credits his mentor Tony Russo as being instrumental in Handy’s pursuit of becoming an athletic trainer. It was Russo, who was the head Olympic Trainer for the 1968, 1976, and 1980 Olympics, who inspired Handy to pursue athletic training.

Handy’s experience has taken him in and around Los Angeles, as he worked the 1984 Olympics as a trainer for the track and field events. Handy has also been the trainer for the Arcadia Invitational since 1978. Handy has also been presented with the opportunity to work with numerous PAC 10 and Big Ten schools as many of them have taken up shop at Citrus College prior to playing the Rose Bowl. Handy has helped out with such illustrious schools as Michigan, Ohio State, Iowa, Arizona State, Northwestern, and Oregon prior to the BCS’s existence. Along with his athletic training duties, Handy is also a certified equipment manager.

Handy has been married for 30 years to his best friend Diane. He and Diane have 2 dogs, Noche and Mella. In the little time he can find, Handy enjoys participating in outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and taking boat rides down the Colorado River. Handy and his wife reside in Pomona, CA.

Assistant Athletic Trainer Scott Norman, ATC

Assistant Athletic Trainer Scott Norman ATC has been a NATABOC certified Athletic Trainer for over 14 years. Before Norman came to Citrus College in ’02, he was the Fitness Director at Peachwood Physical Therapy from ’94 to ‘99. In ’99 Norman moved on to become the Sports Medicine Director for Fortanasce Physical Therapy in Arcadia. Then in ’01 Norman went to work for Casa Colina Rehabilitation hospital as clinical director in their South Pasadena facility. Finally in ’02 Norman became a member of the “fighting owls” staff, were currently he is an Assistant Athletic Trainer and Adjunct Faculty member.

Norman the son of Gordon and Diane Norman, the youngest of three, was born and reared in Glendora, Ca. Where he grew up an attended Glendora High School, and went on to earn 9 varsity letters in his 4 years at GHS. He then went on to graduate in 1987. Then Norman enrolled in our very own Citrus College, where he played football for 3 seasons under Coach Mike Merandi. Norman graduated with his AA degree in ’90. After his stint at Citrus College Norman moved on to Cal State Northridge where he also played football for 3 seasons, and went on to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education with an emphasis in Athletic Training in 1994. Before graduating, Norman also earned his NATABOC certification, and became a Certified Athletic Trainer. Norman is currently pursuing his Masters degree from Azusa Pacific University; he is on schedule to graduate in fall of ’08.

Norman has been married for seven years to his lovely wife Jaime. They have three children, Trenton, Taylor, and Troy. When he is not at work or going to school Norman enjoys spending time with the family, mountain biking, snow boarding, and swimming. Norman currently resides in Covina, CA.

Assistant Athletic Trainer Traci Rodriguez, ATC

Assistant Athletic Trainer, Traci Rodriguez, ATC, has been a NATABOC Certified Athletic Trainer since 2004.  Before Rodriguez came to Citrus College in ’09, she was an Athletic Trainer for the Center of Neurosciences, Orthopaedics, & Spine, PC, (CNOS) in Dakota Dunes, South Dakota. There, she did outreach Athletic Training at Briar Cliff University. She moved to California in 2006 and was employed at Physiotherapy Associates in Upland as the Athletic Trainer until 2007 when she moved on as the Athletic Trainer at Upland High School. Finally, in 2009, Rodriguez  joined the Athletic Training Staff at Citrus College full-time. Rodriguez also works as a member of the Adjunct Physical Education Faculty.

Rodriguez grew up in Northeast Nebraska, graduating from Newman Grove High School in Newman Grove, Nebraska, in 1998. She attended Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, Iowa, where she played four years of volleyball. She graduated from BCU in 2002 with her Bachelor’s degree in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, minoring in Exercise Science with an emphasis in Athletic Training. Rodriguez continued her education at Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska, where she worked as a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer. She received her Master’s Degree in Exercise Science from Wayne State in 2004 and took an Athletic Trainer position at CNOS.

Rodriguez and her husband, Albert, had a son, Maxal, in the summer of 2008, and are expecting their second child in early 2013. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, both in California and in Nebraska. She enjoys reading, working out, and playing recreational sports. Rodriguez currently resides in Covina, CA.