By JACQI LEYVA-HILL
Special to the NEWS
Riverside Middle School Coach Felix Villalpando received national recognition after being selected to appear on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” an opportunity he said allowed him to represent the Riverside Middle School community and the work of its coaches and staff.
Villalpando said the experience began when Riverside Middle School Principal Rudy Ramirez told him that someone had reached out about a nomination Ramirez had submitted several months earlier.
Villalpando was told he would receive a phone interview about Riverside’s athletic department.
During the interview, Villalpando said they discussed athletics, academics, the community Riverside serves, and the school’s efforts to develop young adults.
Later that afternoon, Villalpando said they received confirmation and an official invitation to attend the show.
“We did not know there were only five finalists or what the segment was really going to be about,” Villalpando said.
Additional Zoom interviews followed, and Villalpando said his coaching staff and immediate family were the only people who knew about the opportunity while they waited for it to become official.
“I felt blessed and grateful for the opportunity to represent our humble and hardworking community of Riverside Middle School on such a big stage,” he said.
Villalpando described the recognition as validation of work that has been underway at Riverside for a long time. He also stressed that the recognition was not his alone.
“While I might be the face of the Riverside community, there is a group of hardworking individuals, both coaches and staff at Riverside Middle School, who are truly deserving of this recognition,” Villalpando said.
One experience that stood out, he said, was spending time with the other four coaches. Villalpando said they shared similar experiences, adversities, and obstacles, and discussed the rewards of seeing young adults become productive members of society through athletics.
Villalpando said his coaching approach is intended to prepare students for life beyond sports.
“Our athletes know that we are building them for life, not just showing them how to play a particular sport,” he said.
He identified teamwork, overcoming adversity, and problem-solving as skills that coaches can help students develop, and said former Bulldogs can continue to rely on their coaches for support.
Villalpando also said receiving a vehicle as part of the “GMA” recognition was a surprise. He credited his wife for volunteering with the coaching staff and driving players to events.
“She will enjoy it very much,” he said. “Any additional resources to help implement our program are always welcome.”
Villalpando said the recognition belongs to the Riverside Middle School community and thanked the coaches who work alongside him during summers, holidays, and early mornings and late nights.
“You were up there with me. Thank you for always being there for our student-athletes,” Villalpando said.