On February 12, the College of the Canyons football program lost a member of its family as former student-athlete and offensive lineman Cory McManus passed away.

He was 20 years old.

As tribute to Cory, the College of the Canyons football team hosted a special ‘Evening of Remembrance’ on Friday, Feb. 19, inside Cougar Stadium.

At the event hundreds of Cory’s friends, family members, coaches, teammates, classmates and many more who knew him and the McManus family filled the bleachers inside Cougar Stadium.

The event provided an opportunity to share memories, tell stories, pay tribute and reflect on a life that ended far too soon.

“Cory McManus is the epitome of who we ask our football players to be at College of the Canyons,” said College of the Canyons head coach Ted Iacenda.

“To never give up, to never waver in your conviction and to persist through the tough times … this is our credo,” added Iacenda. “Cory was that message personified. He is loved and missed by all of us that had the great fortune to be a part of his journey. Please join us in remembering and honoring his legacy.”

McManus played center at COC during the 2013 and 2014 seasons, wearing jersey No. 51 as a freshman and No. 54 as a sophomore.

He also played football at Alemany High School, where he was a First-Team All-League honoree, graduating in 2013.

Despite being somewhat undersized for the position, at just 5-foot-10 inches and 220 pounds, McManus was an All-Conference player in both of his seasons with the Cougars, earning a First-Team designation in 2014.

As a member of the college’s 2013 team he helped the Cougars win a National Division, Northern Conference Championship in Iacenda’s first year at the helm.

After leaving College of the Canyons McManus continued his playing career at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas. He was also majoring in criminal justice.

At Bethany, McManus was a 2015 All-Conference Honorable Mention selection. In his final game for the Swedes’ McManus started at center, but also played fullback on different plays. He had one rush for three yards and a touchdown in the team’s 48-14 win over McPherson College.

“On the field he is a coach’s dream,” said Bethany College head coach Paul Hubbard in a statement posted on the athletic department’s website. “He was too small to play offensive line, yet he was our starting center. He is not quick enough to play a skill position, yet when we needed a 4th and short he was our lead blocker playing fullback.”