Coach Alejandro Aviles likes soccer so much that he willingly volunteered to coach the Armijo Girls’ team, first as the Junior Varsity (JV) coach and now as the coach of the Varsity team. Before coming to Armijo as a coach, he also coached for two competitive clubs: Solano United and Dixon Club. He also plays indoor soccer and outdoor soccer himself and is on the soccer field up to four times a week. “I also like to travel and visit new places,” he said.

When he’s not on the soccer field, Coach Aviles spends his days working as a union carpenter for a shop in Oakland, but soccer is his true love. He played it the entire time he was a student at Armijo and that passion that he developed at a young age was one of the driving forces that led him back to Armijo’s campus as a coach, but these COVID years haven’t been easy.

Because of the pandemic, the teams have had fewer players, he explained, and “the season timing was off.” Last year’s athletes played a reduced season and it’s been hard getting enough motivation to increase the numbers.

For Coach Aviles, one of the most challenging parts has been seeing the players leave, although he wishes them the best when they move on to other schools or other endeavors. It is hard to build a program but his players are motivated and he is, as well.

“I would like to see more students and parents support on the stands and cheer us on,” he said. “Win or lose, we have a great passionate team this year!”

Not only would he like to see more support from the outside, but he would also like to see more players consider following in his footsteps and coaching soccer as they grow older. “If you love the sport, do it,” he said. “Also take a course where you can learn rules and skills to be an effective coach.”

Coach Aviles lives at home with his wife Elisa, his 17-year old daughter Victoria, and two American bullies, Paco and Bonnie.