As 2024 winds down, we want to take a breath and express gratitude for the steadfast support of CSUN staff who help us every day to achieve our goals and make life on campus as smooth as possible. In CSUN Newsroom’s “Season of Thanks,” we introduce some of the staff members behind the work that helps us all shine.
Miguel “Mickey” Galindo, Maintenance/Facilities Tech II, Student Recreation Center (SRC)
There’s a calm philosopher masquerading as a technician and repairman around the Student Recreation Center, and his name is Mickey. Okay, okay — Miguel “Mickey” Galindo is an actual, certified, expert technician on the Student Recreation Center (SRC) staff, but what students, faculty and colleagues cherish most are his listening skills, kindness and pearls of wisdom.
Galindo and his colleagues, often found in the brightly lit machine shop in the corner of the SRC’s ground-floor Bryan Green Matador Training Zone, are responsible for the maintenance and repair of every single piece of fitness equipment in the 138,000-square-foot recreation center. Plus: Every light fixture. Every locker-room shower. All the plumbing. Both pools (the SRC Pool and Plaza Pool). The upholstery on those comfy red chairs, benches and couches. The all-important, massive HVAC system. And so much more. The crew works from 5 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., except on Fridays when they arrive at 4 a.m. (!) to make any necessary repairs or tune-ups to the plumbing and fixtures in the women’s locker rooms, before the building opens at 6.
“I talk to students, and I try to motivate them. I tell them, ‘You may be struggling now, but it’s all for a brighter future,’” said Galindo, who’s been working behind the scenes at the SRC since early 2014. “They come here for stress relief. They talk to me — about how they have to study for a test, and they’re worried. I tell them, ‘Just study — you’ll be great. Don’t worry about it.’ Later, they say, ‘Thank you for the pep talk.’”
His favorite part of the job? The day-to-day puzzles.
“It’s like being a detective. I’m always trying to figure something out, and I’m never bored,” Galindo said. “Like if you hear a knocking or squeaking noise — every piece of equipment has maintenance behind it. It’s the same with fitness equipment. That’s what we do here, we keep the equipment in decent shape so it keeps its value. [Being a technician], it’s a gift, once you put effort into it.”
Previously a technician at commercial gyms and fitness equipment companies, Galindo, 48, has been doing this work for about 25 years. One of his current co-workers referred Galindo to the job at CSUN, and he’s been thrilled to work on campus ever since.
“We try to do everything for the students, so when they come in to the SRC — they get that ‘wow’ factor,” he said. “Everything’s clean, working, it’s a top-class gym. … I tell them, ‘This is all for you guys.’”
Above all this year, Galindo — a married father of three sons — is thankful for health and the opportunity to make a difference.
“I’m just thankful I’m breathing. With everything going on, I’m so grateful I’m here. And it’s always nice to help others,” this campus philosopher said. “It’s always about looking at the positive. The negative, sure — you could always take that road, but it will drag you down. That’s what I try to teach my own kids.”
He also emphasizes respect and courtesy. He imparts his wisdom to his sons, but also to the many Matadors who notice his smile and approachability. Over free weights and elliptical machines, he becomes a trusted adult.
“I tell them, ‘If you’re polite and courteous, that image is what people will see.’”
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