Today we’d like to introduce you to JESUS ACEVEDO.
Hi JESUS, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I first started coaching soccer back in AYSO when my sons team did not have a coach, this was back in 1998/1999. I have served in different capacities of programs throughout Chula Visa and local soccer community. As a youth soccer coach, I have been a coaching for over 22 years for local Chula Vista Clubs such as AYSO Chula Vista, Chula Vista FC, Rangers SC, and Rebels SC. I have also held various administrative positions at different clubs serving as a Division representative, Assistant Commissioner at AYSO, and as Secretary and Vice President at Rangers SC. I am currently the General Manager for the Rebels SC soccer club and adult program. I also serve as a referee Assignor for Cal South assigning youth tournaments and local soccer leagues while managing a group of over 100 referees.
Since 2014, I have I have been working as a coach at the high school level. From 2014 to 2018, I was the Freshmen men’s Head Coach and Assistant Varsity coach at Eastlake High. I assisted various coaches and formed a non-official freshman league for 3 years. Our overall record there was 39-8-2. From 2018 to 2021 I served as the Junior Varsity Men’s Soccer Coach at Hilltop High. In 2021, I was Hilltop High School Varsity Men’s Soccer Co-Coach where we helped lead the Lancers to the Division III San Diego CIF Finals, its first CIF finals since 2002.
In 2018, I helped form the men’s adult program at Rebels SC. The team was able to compete in the San Diego County Soccer league in 2018 and win the second division and finish on top in the 2019 prior to being shut down for covid.
The adult team merged with coach Matt Emmert and in the Summer of 2019, we participated in the So Cal Premier League U23 division, where the team was South division champions before eventually losing in the league final to North division champion Outbreak FC.
In Fall 2019 the team entered UPSL in the newly formed So Cal South division of UPSL’s premier level. The team finished in 4th during the first season, where they would lose to the undefeated White Tigers 2-1 in extra time of the playoff semifinals. This was the first year for the team to compete in Open Cup qualifying where they lost 3-2 after penalties to rival Chula Vista FC.
The adult team has continued to grow in San Diego and the Rebels SC program was able to win our first United Premier Soccer League So Cal South Division Championship in fall of 2021 and win our first ever US Open Cup qualifying match in 2021.
We are currently playing in the UPSL Fall season and look forward to our continued growth with our reserve team participating in the San Diego County Soccer League.
The future looks bright for the men’s adult program and Rebels SC and the great work coach Matt Emmert and myself continue to focus on the future.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The largest struggle has been financials, running an adult program costs could run from 15-20,000 a year, we are grateful for the Rebels SC program for their support and we always focus on how the adult program can we be financially independent. We have been able to secure some sponsors throughout the years and are always looking for good business partners to help grow the sport.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Coaching for 22 years, you run into many players throughout your career and the most important thing, no matter the age (youth, high school, college or adult) is always having the best interest of the team and respecting each and every player for what they bring to the team.
One of the most rewarding things is seeing players you may have coached 10 to 15 years ago see you and still call you coach.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
In the soccer community, you always find great coaches from different walks of life to network with. Even though I have been coaching for 22 years, I always try to learn and grow as the game continues to evolve and learning something from younger coaches is a great feeling.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rebelssc.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebelssc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RebelsSoccerClub
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/RebelsSDSoccer
Image Credits
David Frerker first photo Jose Gaeta Diaz second photo
