At the age of twelve, Diego stopped playing sports and became involved in street gangs. Boxing became a turning point, it provided structure and purpose and kept him off the streets for years. He was a very successful boxer, amassing an amateur record of 23-2-0 and winning the Junior Olympics twice. At seventeen, Diego was invited to box professionally in Australia, but his mother insisted he focus on work rather than boxing as a career.
After leaving boxing, Diego returned to the streets, and a few months later he was shot and almost lost his life. That experience ultimately shaped his lifelong commitment to youth sports and mentorship.
In 2003, Diego founded Richmond SOL after his sons wanted to play soccer and there were very limited youth soccer options in Richmond. With no roadmap for running a youth sports organization, teams practiced wherever open space was available. Richmond had no dedicated soccer fields and most parks were designed for baseball. Diego mowed the lawn, painted field lines and set goals himself until the city’s Parks and Public Works Department told him he couldn’t continue without permits. Tony Thurmond, then a member of the City Council, now California’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction, stepped in to guide him through the permitting process and encouraged Diego to join the Parks and Recreation Commission.
“I eventually became vice chairman, and from there my commitment to the city grew. Over time, I was asked to serve on additional boards and committees, and my commitment to Richmond has continued to grow.”
More than three decades later, Diego is the president and founder of RSOL, a successful soccer program serving more than 350 families in Richmond, California. Richmond is a low-income community surrounded by other under-resourced cities where volleyball opportunities are extremely limited.
Diego’s involvement in volleyball started through his daughter. After signing her to a team, the season did not go well. The team struggled and the overall experience was not positive for the athletes or families. Towards the end of the season, Diego volunteered to step in and become a coach, driven by a desire to create a better environment and experience.
“Seeing her passion for the sport and seeing the lack of access in our community motivated me to bring volleyball to Richmond the same way I did soccer.”
Although relatively new to volleyball, Diego brings over 30 years of coaching experience in football and boxing. He is also a teacher and athletic director at Richmond High School.
“My freshman year, I launched the first volleyball program our community had ever seen. Despite the challenges, our first season attracted the interest of more than 250 girls eager to participate. We proudly registered our teams with JVA.”
Accessibility was the key to the strong turnout. Volleyball did not exist in Richmond and surrounding communities in an affordable, organized form, leaving a significant unmet need. Families wanted an opportunity that didn’t require long trips or excessive club fees. RSOL’s model focuses on keeping costs low while providing quality coaching, safe facilities and meaningful competition. All resources are reinvested into the program, with a heavy reliance on fundraising, volunteers and community partnerships.
“Our goal is to remove financial and logistical barriers so that youth in our community have the same opportunities as youth in more affluent areas, in both volleyball and soccer.”
Richmond SOL is more than a youth sports organization. It is a community-based program rooted in service, development and opportunity. Diego and his staff are deeply involved in the community and organize initiatives such as a Thanksgiving program that provides more than 300 families with free haircuts, hot meals, clothing and groceries. RSOL also leads park and street cleanups, community renovations, and hosts a highly successful annual haunted house fundraiser on Halloween, which attracts hundreds of community members and supports the teams. In addition, RSOL offers recreational and competitive soccer and volleyball, serving approximately 400 youth each season.
Diego’s dedication to the community he grew up in is reflected in his leadership roles, which enhance his ability to support student-athletes both on and off the field.
“Volleyball is an extremely expensive sport. Many clubs charge $2,500 or more per season, which is not realistic for families in our community. My wife and I decided to create a program that is affordable and accessible to every child.”
RSOL currently charges $175 for recreational volleyball and $450 for competitive teams. These costs include uniforms, tournaments, practice facilities and games. Making this model work requires creativity, strong fundraising and consistent community support. Diego’s advice to others is to lead with access and equity at the foundation and build from there. Support is essential, and no one can do this work alone.
All three of Diego’s sons are heavily involved in volunteer work through schools, community events and RSOL programs. They act as coaches, referees, facilitators and directors. Their involvement allows RSOL to operate effectively while setting a strong example of leadership and service for younger athletes. They all earned college degrees and now help run the family business while continuing to give back to the community that shaped them.
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