Hispanic Heritage Month runs annually from September 15 - October 15 and this year, Up2Us Sports’ Hispanic and Latinx coaches, VISTAs, and staff proudly shared about their Hispanic heritage, their culture and how it has shaped who they are and the work they do in the SBYD field.
Cesar Lenarduzzi, Up2Us Sports Program Manager, Los Angeles, CA
● What does your Hispanic heritage mean to you?
This month is a great time to recognize and celebrate diverse cultures to acknowledge the contributions of Native peoples. It allows me to reflect and appreciate the obstacles and barriers my ancestors faced that shapes my values, my personality, and my goals.
● What was your path from being a coach to now a full-time staff member?
After I served as a coach during my undergraduate education, I knew I wanted to stay within sports and community impact. When a full-time staff position for Up2Us Sports opened up, I immediately applied. Working here has given me an opportunity to share my experience as a coach and embrace the role of being a program manager.
● What is your long-term goal with Up2Us Sports?
Now becoming more involved in community outreach, I would like to continue helping grow partnerships. Being in a city like Los Angeles that is surrounded by non-profits and sports based youth development, there is so much opportunity to connect and partner.
Coach Dionisia, Downtown United Soccer Club, New York, NY
● How do you hope to inspire your athletes through representation as a Hispanic coach?
I aspire to inspire my athletes as a Hispanic coach by embracing and celebrating my cultural heritage. By doing so, I aim to guide them towards developing a sense of pride in their own backgrounds. Culture greatly shapes identity, influencing their perspective on life. A players’ identity is consistently reflected in their performance on the field, with culture playing a large role in shaping their character. Given the diverse cultural backgrounds of my athletes, it becomes important for me to set a positive example of loving my own identity. This becomes easier as I get to know my players, since I take pride in my Hispanic roots. How can I expect my athletes to fully embrace their own identities if I don't set an example of the beauty of my culture? My goal is to instill in them the value of recognizing and cherishing their cultural uniqueness, just as I do with my Hispanic heritage.
● How does your cultural influences factor into your coaching style?
I like to think of Hispanic culture as a very vibrant, creative, and exciting culture. Unconsciously, I tend to make my sessions in a way that can be similarly characterized. The most important thing to me when coaching on the field is allowing my players to have creative freedom and a window to express their individual vibrancies. My culture values fun, unity, and positivity, I’d like to also say that about my sessions and my athletes.
● Is there a Hispanic athlete or figure that has inspired you?
A Hispanic figure that has inspired me growing up in the soccer world is Neymar. This might sound like such a cliche answer, but Neymar showed me what true pride in one’s culture really looks like. His culture plays a large role in his game, no matter where in the globe he is playing. You are who you are, and no one can change your roots, so why not embrace it?
Coach Javi, Squashsmarts, Philadelphia, PA
● How does your cultural influences factor into your coaching style?
Cultural influences play a significant role in shaping an individual's coaching style. As a coach, one's cultural background can impact their approach to coaching, communication style, and overall coaching philosophy. Understanding and acknowledging these cultural influences can help coaches better connect with their athletes and create a more inclusive and effective coaching environment.
For instance, coaches from collectivist cultures may prioritize team cohesion and harmony over individual achievement, while coaches from individualistic cultures may focus more on individual performance and competition. Similarly, coaches from high-context cultures may rely heavily on nonverbal communication and indirect feedback, while coaches from low-context cultures may prefer direct and explicit communication. By recognizing these cultural differences, coaches can adapt their coaching style to better meet the needs of their athletes and create a more positive coaching experience.
VISTA Gilbert, Up2Us Sports, Los Angeles, CA
● Why is Hispanic Heritage Month so important?
Hispanic Heritage Month is important in so many ways. The month allows people of Hispanic heritage like myself to share their experiences and express their pride in the heritage we were raised within.
● What do you love most about your Hispanic culture?
I love being able to share my culture with others. I introduce others to Mexican food, music, sports culture, and practices in the hope they share their own culture and experiences with me.
● What special point of view has your Hispanic heritage given you?
My Mexican heritage has allowed me to be open to anyone’s background and struggles because I know how hard my own family has struggled to give me the opportunities I’ve had throughout my life.
● Is there a Hispanic figure that has inspired you?
Canelo Alvarez has always been an inspiration to me because he shows that hard work and perseverance can lead to lasting greatness. Additionally, my family is another group of inspiring figures as they have been the driving force in my life. Any success I have ever strived for has been for the benefit of not only myself but for my family in the long run.
VISTA Stephanie, After-School All-Stars, Los Angeles, CA
● Why is Hispanic Heritage Month so important?
We honor the Hispanic Heritage Month to recognize and celebrate our rich culture and long-held traditions that have become part of the fabric of our nation to where the Hispanic community has played a vital role in American society. Our cultural contributions have been legendary whether it be in music, the love of our family or how we express ourselves through our food.
● What do you love most about your Hispanic culture?
It is incredibly important that we take pride in our culture and celebrate everything we have from it. Today, we continue to advance communities across the country as small business owners, veterans, teachers, and public servants, among many other professions. This resolution is an important part of that celebration because Hispanic Heritage Month allows us to recognize our achievements and contributions to our national story.
