This Hispanic Heritage Month - which runs from September 15 - October 15 - Up2Us Sports will honor and celebrate our Hispanic and Latinx coaches, VISTAs, staff, and host sites. Each week we will feature members of the Up2Us Sports family who proudly represent their Hispanic heritage and who all wanted to share a bit more about themselves, their culture and how it has shaped who they are and the work they do in the SBYD field.

NAME: Anthony Castaneda

POSITION: Up2Us Sports Coach

LOCATION: Texas Rangers Youth Academy- Dallas, Texas

How do you hope to inspire your athletes through representation as a Hispanic coach?

I hope to inspire them to continue to work hard through adversity and to have fun playing the game they love even through tough times because there are friends and coaches who are always there for them.

What do you love most about your culture?

The bond we all share to keep the family close and to help others in need has helped me and others who have given me the love of my culture. Also the hard work ethic we have in anything we do to achieve each goal we have to accomplish.

Is there a Hispanic figure that has inspired you in your life?

Yes, so much as being a baseball player myself, looking up to Ronald Acuna Jr and the way he is as a baseball player but also outside of it. He has definitely inspired me to have fun and enjoy doing the things you love but also putting in the work in anything you do.

Why is Hispanic Heritage Month so important?

It is important because it allows others to see our culture and to share with others in our community in which we take pride. 

What special point of view has your Hispanic heritage given you?

It has given me the aspect to work hard and love the people around you. Your family, friends, coaches everyone because we’re all family but we’re all here to help one another with a kind heart. 

What would you like others to know about what it means to be Hispanic/about your Hispanic culture?

That we are all a family no matter the background, where we came from, or who we are. We are proud to be one and to continuously show we can do it no matter what obstacle is out in front of us and we can push through it with commitment and the willingness to become better.

NAME: Diana Alonso

POSITION: Up2Us Sports VISTA

LOCATION: Miami Marlins Foundation - Miami, Florida

Why is Hispanic Heritage Month so important?

Hispanic Heritage Month is important because it recognizes important Hispanic figures and it is a reminder of the imprint these figures have made not only in our lives but globally. It’s a reminder for the older generation and it’s a teaching moment for the newer generation to remember why we matter.

What special point of view has your Hispanic heritage given you?

I am a first-generation American from immigrant parents who did not have a lot so I’ve learned to not take any opportunities for granted. My parents left the little they had behind in search of a better opportunity for my sibling. Therefore, I understand hard work and taking advantage of the opportunities presented from that hard work.

What do you love most about your culture?

It’s really hard to choose just one thing I love about my culture so I’ll list my top 3: (1) food (2) music & dancing, and (3) how tight knit families are and how they value and love each other

Is there a Hispanic figure that has inspired you in your life?

Roberto Clemente: Although I never got to see him play, Clemente has inspired my view on life and giving back. Not only did he play an extremely important role to Hispanic baseball players all across Latino America, his philanthropy efforts during his life are still admirable to this date. He has one of my favorite quotes which is, “Any time you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don’t, then you are wasting your time on Earth”.

What would you like others to know about what it means to be Hispanic/about your Hispanic culture?

Being Hispanic is about being proud of where you come from. It’s about not forgetting your ancestors and your history and continuing to pass on this pride from generation to generation.

NAME: Eduardo M.

POSITION: Up2Us Sports

LOCATION: Los Angeles, California

Why is Hispanic Heritage Month so important?

Although people of Hispanic and Latinx origin make up approximately 18.7% of the total US population, we are overwhelmingly underrepresented on a national level, making up only 6% of the Senate and 10% of the House of Representatives. Mexican ancestry alone makes up 11% of the US population, meaning there should ideally be 11 Senators of Mexican origin, yet today we only have 2. Hispanic Heritage month helps highlight an underrepresented minority group in the US that has seen historical marginalization in this country despite having genetic ties to this continent for thousands of years. 

What special point of view has your Hispanic heritage given you?

Having spent the vast majority of my life undocumented in the US gave me a special perspective on the ethical concerns regarding borders and nationalism. Immigrating to the US when I was 2, I grew up terrified and embarrassed that someone would find out I was "illegal" and didn't share this fact with even my closest friends until I was 18. I now embrace it and am grateful for the lessons it has taught me. People are more important than countries or nationalities and we should always strive for collective international movements that see past arbitrary borders and empty ideologies. 

What would you like others to know about what it means to be Hispanic/about your Hispanic culture?

The labels of "Hispanic" and "Latino" connotate a European identity that largely neglects our Indigenous American roots. I personally identify as Mestizo, which more accurately describes one of Indigenous American ancestry mixed with European ancestry. It is my personal opinion that this distinction should not be distorted, and that people who identify as Hispanic or Latino/a understand how strong of a genetic origin we have to this continent, especially during a time when people are being told to "go back to your country" in states such as Arizona, California, New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah, that were actually taken from Mexico through warfare.  

NAME: Juan Leonel Gárciga

POSITION: Director, Youth Baseball & Academy Programs, Texas Rangers Baseball Club

LOCATION: Dallas, Texas

How do you hope to inspire your athletes through representation as a Hispanic coach? 

It’s an opportunity for athletes to see that there can be another path for them to stay involved with the game, beyond simply playing. On the field my coaching style is very high energy, even bringing some latin flair to the coaches box and dugout. I have to sometimes remember that not everyone speaks Spanish when I get lost in the excitement and revert to shouting in Spanish.

Why is Hispanic Heritage Month so important?

It’s a celebration of what we have accomplished as a group of people. Even within our respective cultures, we are all so very different, and with more attention paid to us during this month, it’s our opportunity to show off our similarities, but equally as important, our differences and individualities.

What special point of view has your Hispanic heritage given you?

There is a certain passion and affection that is engrained in our culture and it’s why you see such comradery even amongst people who are meeting for the first time.

What do you love most about your culture?

How much time do you have? The food and the music obviously rank very high, but I would say even more so, the way we interact with each other. There is an immediate sense of pride and passion that comes out. Especially in the work place, when you see that more and more Hispanics are being given opportunities and thriving. We create a family atmosphere, so much so that people who aren’t technically family sometimes are introduced as family and made honorary cousins or uncles/aunts.

Is there a Hispanic figure that has inspired you in your life?

I have been fortunate to have tremendous mentors in my life who are Hispanic males who have found success even in the midst of challenges and adversity. Former colleagues immediately stand out, but also what my father was able to accomplish later in life, returning to school and excelling while supporting a family. He’s an incredible success story and showed what can be accomplished through hard work and dedication. It was definitely a motivating factor while I was in college, that there was no excuse for me to succeed in the classroom.

A main stream figure who has served as an inspiration to me is journalist/media personality Dan Lebatard. I grew up reading the sports section of the news paper and listening to sports radio at a very young age, probably age 11. Over the years I enjoyed the way Lebatard tackled social issues and provided depth and commentary that was uncommon from someone covering sports. He is a first generation Cuban from Miami, who was and is VERY Miami. He doesn’t make compromises when it comes to his values and convictions, while also using humor and a command of the English language as a tool to deliver his message. It has inspired me to act as an agent of change and do my part to pave the way for the next young Hispanic kid from Miami or anywhere for that matter.

What would you like others to know about what it means to be Hispanic/about your Hispanic culture?

I think it’s important for people to understand, specifically for first generation Hispanics, that we are incredibly grateful that our parents and/or grandparents came to the United States to give us these incredibly opportunities. At the same time, we are proud of our heritage and often times more closely related to people from where our parents were born. The desire to share our music, food, customs, style, and language is not a slight at the USA and or anglo culture, but simply a part of who we are and what we enjoy, here in the United States. It’s important to differentiate between Hispanics acculturating vs assimilating; we can enjoy both customs without forgetting and completely transitioning into an entire new way of living.

How do you maintain a diverse and inclusive team culture within your program?

It’s important when hiring not to exclusively hire people that do things the way you do, think how you do, and most of all LOOK like you do. Embracing differences and bringing in a team that has different approaches, ways to communicate, and styles will only strengthen the group and reach more kids and athletes.

How does your organization support young Hispanic/LatinX individuals?

Preparing them for more than just on field success. It’s also important for families who’s parents don’t speak English to feel comfortable and know that this is a safe space for their child. Families always light up when they don’t have to struggle through communicating in a second language and by being able to have bilingual staff members, we are able to further support and assist more families.