For over two decades, LAVC’s athletic director Dave Mallas has been more than just a coach of the Monarchs’ baseball program. He has been a mentor, an educator, and a steady presence in the lives of hundreds of student-athletes at Los Angeles Valley College.
“Personally, it’s a blessing,” he says about being a coach. “It’s something that you get to really do after playing…being able to give back the knowledge and wisdom that you’ve learned throughout the years…it’s just a lot of fun really educating and preparing these young men and women for the rest of their lives.”
Mallas’ coaching philosophy focuses on growth, character, and the journey itself. “It’s not necessarily about the wins and losses,” he shares, “but really enjoying this journey with the young athletes.”
During his tenure, the baseball team went from struggling to championship form, creating a respected and competitive program. Yet for Director Mallas, success has always meant something deeper. “Valley College is my home…it’s my second family,” he says. “Being part of the LAVC community has been very special.”
At the heart of his philosophy is one simple idea: lifelong learning. He encourages his players to be ’students of the game’, not only in baseball but in life. “We need to be a sponge in life and just soak in everything,” he explains. “These two years could be the most impactful of their entire life.”
Through athletics, students learn teamwork, discipline, and how to face challenges. “We’re creating wonderful, promising, positive impacts on our community,” he says. “Our goal is to develop young men and women that are going to be positive influences.”
Looking ahead, Director Mallas’ vision is to continue building not just strong teams, but meaningful experiences for student-athletes across all sports at Valley College. He hopes to create an environment where students feel proud to be Monarchs and carry that pride with them for life.