For the first time in 37 years, there will be a new trainer tasked with keeping the athletes of San Bernardino Valley College healthy and ready to compete. Keith Candelaria has been named the new Head Athletic Trainer at San Bernardino Valley College, taking over the position from Michael Sola, who retired at the end of the school year. 


Candelaria comes to SBVC after previously holding the same position at Whittier College. At Whittier, he was the school’s NCAA Athletics Health Care Administrator and was one of 30 individuals selected nationally and invited by NCAA Division III to attend the Institute for Administrative Advancement who partners with Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA). 


Before working at Whittier, Candelaria was an athletic trainer at Orange Coast College, part of the Santa Ana College Fire Technology Wellness Program and a graduate assistant trainer at the University of La Verne. He also has taught for the Tri Cities Regional Occupational Program, teaching sports medicine and emergency response courses. 


He graduated from St. John Bosco High School, before attending Rio Hondo College – where he received an AS degree in fire technology and an AA degree in liberal arts. He graduated from Cal State Fullerton with a BA in athletic training, with a minor in kinesiology before getting his Master’s degree in Leadership and Management from the University of La Verne. 
Candelaria has two children and is currently engaged.