Seconds after the Channel Islands boys soccer team’s game-winning goal by senior Eric Becerra secured the net to capture the division 6 CIF championship, a storm of players and coaches rushed the field to celebrate the Raiders’ victory.
One coach stood out through the sea of people celebrating their championship victory, mainly to ensure the CIF Division 6 plaque made it back to South Oxnard safely: Rogelio Juarez Jr.
Juarez is the son of the late Mr. Rogelio Juarez Sr., who led the Raiders boys soccer team for 12 years before his passing in 2014. Juarez Sr. was also a CI graduate and a Spanish teacher at the school.
Juarez Jr. serves as both assistant coach to the boys team as well as the school’s College and Career Center technician coordinator.
“My dad was 0-3 in championship games for CIF,” he said. “That plaque was going home with me.”
Juarez Jr. attended Pacifica High and then graduated from Fresno State. He has helped maintain his father’s legacy both on and off the field with a targeted focus: motivation.
“My dad always said, ‘I can’t coach soccer, but I can motivate people’,” Juarez Jr. said. “I try to emulate that both as a coach and on campus.”
After the March 1 victory against St. Margaret’s Episcopal in San Juan Capistrano, Juarez Jr. immediately took off his sweater to reveal an in memoriam shirt dedicated to his late father. The next day, he went to his father’s grave with the CIF championship plaque to take in the victory, and reflect on the team’s journey.
“At the end of the day I’m happy for the kids, they’ve worked hard,” said Juarez Jr. “My dad still has the most wins as a coach here at CI, and the players know the success here is expected, not hoped for.”
Juarez Jr. notes the outpouring of support received from Raider alumni throughout the years, specifically with playing a role in the program’s success. Current coach Mr. Salvador Orozco was a former player of Juarez Sr., and he has played a role in establishing the values established for the Channel Islands boys soccer program, which has won two CIF Division championships in the past 5 years, having last done so in 2020.
“A lot of alumni have helped coach all our levels throughout the years,” Juarez Jr. said. “On Saturday there were a bunch of my dad’s old players that made the trip supporting the team.
“During CIF games the atmosphere is always different,” he added. “The alumni know success is expected to uphold the legacy we built and to make a run in the playoffs.”
The Raiders impressive season came to an end last week at Laguna Beach High School in the state playoffs in a 4-0 loss. Juarez Jr. acknowledges his father’s presence will continue to be a part of the team’s journey as the program continues to build on his father’s legacy.
“I know he is proud,” said Juarez Jr. “He’s still here.
“It’s not in the past tense – it’s present tense.”
