Her official title is equipment manager for Athletics and Health & Exercise Science at San Diego City College. But that hardly begins to explain what Kim Habeck’s job really entails.

“I basically take care of all the athletic events we have here on campus,” said Habeck, whose dedication earned her recognition at a May 20 Employee Alumni Awards ceremony. “Breaking down, setting up, opening the gym, washing uniforms, hanging banners. There’s no such thing as a typical day. It runs the gamut. Every day is different.”

It’s a career that sort of just happened.

Born in Huntington, N.Y., and raised in Old Lyme, Conn., Habeck moved to San Diego on a whim nearly four decades ago. “I was just planning to drive across the country with a friend in the military who was being reassigned, camped out along the way, loved the city, had a great time, and never left,” Habeck said, adding that her decision was finalized while driving around town and seeing a ‘for rent’ sign at an apartment in Normal Heights.

Habeck was in her 20s at the time and, before she left home, had been taking classes at Middlesex Community College in Connecticut. Enrolling at City College was a no brainer. It was the closest community college around and it had a reputation for excellence in athletics. Playing softball and basketball while at City, Habeck earned a Scholar Athlete of the Year Award. She would also earn a pair of associate degrees, but not before the legendary longtime coach and athletics director Harry West asked Habeck if she wanted a part-time job working for the Athletics Department.

After three years as a part-timer, Habeck was hired full time as an athletics equipment manager. These days, you can get a pretty good idea about Habeck’s wide-ranging responsibilities as San Diego City College equipment manager for athletics and exercise science by looking at dozens of keys hanging from her belt. “I have the keys to virtually everything connected to the Athletics Department.”

Habeck wouldn’t want it any other way. She only rarely calls in sick or takes a vacation.

“This is my second home, this is my second family,” Habeck said. “I am embedded at City College. It’s part of who I am. I love this place.”

When she’s not working, you can find Habeck, 62, on the golf course, camping, or at the beach. She’s also been a substitute teacher at the San Diego Unified School District for the past 20 years, primarily teaching high school special education students. (Habeck has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from California State University, San Marcos.)

But most of her time is spent at City. “I wake up in the morning and can’t wait to get to work,” she said.

“I’m so proud of our coaches and athletes,” added Habeck. “I’m so proud of City College.”