Today we’d like to introduce you to Panchito Ramirez.
Hi Panchito, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up in Lake Los Angeles, California a small rural town within the Antelope Valley North of LA my parents would wake my three siblings and me up around 4 am to take us to a babysitter. At age twelve, my twin sisters were responsible for taking care of my younger brother and I because my parents could no longer afford a babysitter. As a child, I hardly saw my parents because they worked extensively in order to provide for my siblings and me. As a child that impacted my schooling and academic performance. It led to several suspensions for inappropriate behavior and poor academic performance. Thankfully, soccer saved me from pursuing the wrong path. I also promised my mother that going forward I was not going to disappoint her. Soccer eventually became a huge part of my life and of my family.
As a young adult I was a star soccer player and my aspiration was to become a professional athlete. I knew I had the talent and gave it my all to achieve that dream! During high school, my parents supported me in getting recruited to play for LAFC SO CAL formally known as Real So Cal which required me to commit and travel 2 hours to and from training Monday to Thursday. It was a commitment my family and I were willing to make in hopes of making my dreams a reality. My parents have made several sacrifices throughout my soccer career. For example, using the rent money to send me to the United States Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) Showcase in Dallas, Texas which was a tournament that would increase my exposure to scouts and college coaches.
Throughout high school, I was determined to achieve my dream of playing college soccer and becoming a professional soccer player. However, my dreams of playing collegiate soccer and playing professionally were put at risk! During my senior year of high school, I broke my fibula, dislocated my ankle, and tore several ligaments. I had to get a plate and 10 screws, putting an end to my high school career. I was devastated, but it only made me more resilient!
My resiliency led me to considerable success both educationally and athletically as I was valedictorian of my high school class, graduating with a 4.2 GPA, enrolling at the University of California, Riverside, and getting recruited to play for the UC Riverside Men’s soccer program, graduating from UC Riverside as cuma sum laude, being inducted into the Littlerock High School Hall of Fame, the youngest recipient to receive the UC Riverside 40u40 award and obtaining a master’s in education with an emphasis in leadership and policy from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor on a full-ride scholarship.
As I started my freshman year of college I rehabilitated my leg to be a part of the team roster. As a sophomore, convinced I had completely recovered from my injury, I was told by the coaches that I was still not at the Division 1 competing level–I was cut from the team. I looked up to the coaching staff and told them that I was not a quitter! They gave me one more opportunity to prove them wrong.
As a junior, I finally made the final roster and became the first athlete from Lake Los Angeles to play Division 1 soccer. Despite my severe leg injury, major surgery, and not being the most physically talented player, I was able to play for a Division 1 program. I won the coaching staff over by exemplifying intangibles of resiliency, hard work, dedication, leadership, and an unwillingness to quit; I now utilize those assets in my education, career, and life.
Additionally, upon entering college, I was a full-time athlete, full-time student, part-time worker, and active student on campus. During the last two years of my undergraduate studies, I worked three jobs to be able to fund my education and pay for my bills. During that period, I also founded the Dreamers Soccer Clinic, a non-profit that I started for underprivileged youth. The organization provides soccer clinics, mentorship, and educational workshops in hopes to inspire kids to dream big and pursue higher education.
During my fourth year of my undergraduate education I took a leave of faith and quit soccer. “I was speaking with my mentor, Gabe Mendoza, who is a former student-athlete for the men’s soccer program and former assistant coordinator for the Academic Intervention Program at UC Riverside. He told me, ‘Panchito, know that you are capable of doing much more than just soccer. Soccer brought you here, but it’s up to you to make the best out of it’. And I thought about what he said, and I had to ask myself, ‘Am I really going to go pro?’ Probably not. Is soccer going to benefit me in the future? No. So what can I do?’ That’s when I met Dr. Louie Rodriguez.” Panchito credits Dr. Louie Rodriguez, Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education for UC Riverside and his course “Education for Critical Consciousness” for opening his perspective about his role in this world.
After leaving competitive soccer Panchito never looked back and traveled to D.C. as part of the UCDC program, interning with the League of United Latin American Citizens’s (LULAC), and stayed on for the summer to work as a marketing and communication intern for LULAC National Education Service Center (LNESC). In Fall 2018, he was awarded a Presidential Public Service Fellowship to intern at the California Department of Education as part of the UC Sacramento (UCCS) program. During this same year, with the help of GSOE’s Dr. Gregory Palardy, Panchito received the undergraduate research mini-grant to conduct his own independent research on understanding the factors that impact Latinx college students’ resiliency, persistence, and post-secondary success.
Although I did not play professionally, I was able to achieve my other dream of bringing a professional soccer team to the Antelope Valley. A goal I set myself to achieve while still an undergraduate student at UC Riverside. I met John February of 2023 and after hearing about his intention to bring a professional soccer team to the AV I introduced him to key influential figures from the community, it was important for me to exposure him to other important key stakeholders and towns around the were not just Palmdale & Lancaster. I am extremely thankful for John Smelzer the founder and president of AV ALTA FC for allowing me to help him start AV ALTA FC and the city of Lancaster for believing in this project, its been amazing helping build something so special for our community.
My goal after helping start AV ALTA FC was to have our local team unite our two largest cities (Palmdale & Lancaster). We were able to achieve that by having the city of Palmdale fund our academy and our facility, this would not be possible without the city of Palmdale and Juan Carillos leadership and wiliness to listen to my crazy idea during his special appearance at a student award ceremony for the Littlerock High School boys soccer team. AV ALTA FC is now the model for many other cities who are trying to bring pro soccer to their communities.
Now as the director of partnership and community engagement for AV ALTA FC, I’ve had the opportunity to use my platform and voice to represent my community and athletes that have similar stories. Outside of AV ALTA FC I still continue to serve or example, I along my group of friends Omar, Frida, Kimmy founded a faith-based running club to promote spiritual growth and wellness. In one year we became the largest running group in the Antelope Valley and had 40 + runners participate at this years Long Beach Marathon. A big shout out to Kimmy who has been leading the group with our devotionals and morning post runs prayers. “You can’t be what you don’t see” I live by that quote. My community and their stories live within me and are what motivated me to continue giving back to the community that raised me.
As I conclude I want to thank God my lord and savior, my family, girlfriend “Eunice”, community members. mentors, and everyone who has plaid a role in my development. I am where I am because of you. Thank you!
Side note: I also want to invite you to look into AV ALTA FC, we just concluded with our first year and looking forward to hosting you at one of our home games for year two!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No it has not. I have faced many struggles, especially as a first-generation high school and college graduate. Growing up I was made fun off for my accent, an at-promise youth, English Language Learner, got suspended , and a rebellious kid. However, I believe that God has been guiding me every step of the way and gave me the courage to go after my dreams. I had to become comfortable being uncomfortable but foremost believe in myself.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
After helping John Smelzer start AV ALTA FC, I joined the team full time as the director of partnerships and community engagement. My role consist of raising funds for the team and creating community initiates that will impact our youth. I enjoy every single second of it because I get to connect with our local business community and give back to the community that raised me. I am known to be an entrepreneur, community leader, mentor, educator, and a man of God. I want people to remember me not for my achievements or for what I have contributed towards my community but rather for my faith and how much I loved God.
What were you like growing up?
My parents come from Colima Mexico, at age 15 my mother had my twin sisters. My mother then had me at age 18. We are a young family full of so much love.
I was a young little kid with so much joy and dreams, Thankfully my parents saw something special in me and supported me and my dreams.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.avaltafc.com/
