Albizu University is proud to announce the launch of Intercollegiate Athletics with men’s and women’s soccer teams at its Miami Campus, with competition to begin in Fall 2025. The university initiated the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics’ (NAIA) Pathways to Membership process, enhancing student life and furthering its mission to promote academic and personal growth through inclusive excellence.

“This is a transformational step forward for our Miami Campus,” said Dr. Yianni Vassiliou, Chancellor of Albizu University’s Miami Campus. “Adding intercollegiate athletics—beginning with men’s and women’s soccer—supports our commitment to expanding student engagement, enhancing campus vibrancy, and growing enrollment in a mission-aligned and sustainable way.”

The proposed program anticipates recruiting an initial cohort of 30 student-athletes, supported by a targeted scholarship program and athletic director and coaching staff, with plans for expansion in subsequent years. The initiative complements Albizu’s degrees and academic focus in psychology, health, education, and community-centered professions, drawing from South Florida’s strong soccer culture and demand for mental health, education, behavioral sciences, and culturally responsive education.

Albizu’s administration has identified local field partnerships and a clear implementation timeline, including coaching staff and launching outreach this spring. Juan Carlos (JC) Gonzalez has been hired as the Athletic Director and Men’s & Women’s Head Soccer Coach. The university projects significant enrollment growth from the program, with expectations to double the impact through future athletic offerings.

To request additional information, please contact Athletic Director Gonzalez at jcgonzalez@albizu.edu or fill out the online form at www.albizu.edu/athletics. 

About Albizu University

Proud of its roots and commitment to excellence in program offerings, Albizu University is a private, non-profit institution of higher learning with campuses in San Juan, Puerto Rico and Miami, Florida, and a University Center in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.  It was the only regionally accredited secular University in the continental United States named in honor of a Hispanic, the distinguished Puerto Rican psychologist Dr. Carlos Albizu-Miranda. To date, over 9,000 graduates call Albizu University their Alma Mater—a university that prides itself on educating culturally competent individuals capable of serving the diverse populations of our global community.  Albizu University offers undergraduate and graduate programs in psychology, education, speech-language pathology, and human services, as well as an ESOL program, taught by a diverse, expert faculty. Total enrollment is over 2,000 students representing 65 countries.  Albizu University’s Miami Campus was recently recognized as the top institution for Best Online Master’s in Organizational Psychology Programs 2020 by BestColleges.com.  For more information, visit albizu.edu. 

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WARDSVILLE — The Fatima Lady Comets ended their season Tuesday with an 8-0 loss to the Collegiate School of Med-Bio Science Owls in the quarterfinals of the Class 1 District 1 Tournament.

The Owls led 7-0 at the half before finishing off the mercy rule with a goal in the final half.

Fatima, the No. 9 seed, ended its season with a 2-15 record.

Top-seeded Collegiate School of Med-Bio Science (13-3) will take on the winner of fourth-seeded Bishop DuBourg and No. 5 seed Gateway Science Charter, which is scheduled for 5 p.m. today, in the semifinals at noon Saturday.

EWING, N.J. – The TCNJ women’s soccer team is set to host an ID Clinic Friday, August 15 from 6 to 9 p.m. to noon at Lions Stadium.
 
The ID Clinic is for female soccer players in grades 9 and up who are interested in being evaluated by the Lions’ coaching staff. The clinic is limited to 30 field players and six goalkeepers, and includes an optional campus tour led by current TCNJ players.
 
The cost of the clinic is $125, and registration is available through this link: http://www.tcnjsportscamps.com/womens-soccer/camps.php
 
TCNJ finished its 2024 campaign with a record of 18-1-2 under second-year head coach Danny Blank, winning a second consecutive NJAC title and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

By Russ Hodges, Sports Editor

ROCHELLE — Fernando Diaz experienced both physical and mental growth throughout his four years with the Rochelle Hub soccer program. Playing all four years at the varsity level, Diaz saw his confidence and his physicality on the field increase as he gained more valuable experience.

That growth resulted in Diaz earning a key leadership role as a starting forward during his senior season, when he posted a career-high 16 goals while serving as a team captain for the Hubs, who won 12 games during the fall. Diaz, who concluded his four-year varsity career at RTHS with 33 goals and 13 assists, will continue his academics and athletics at Kishwaukee College.

“I chose Kish because it’s close to home and I will develop into a more confident and intelligent player,” Diaz said. “Playing soccer at Rochelle taught me to be confident in my decisions and to always push to be better. I’d say I improved in being more physical during my time at Rochelle because I always felt smaller than my opponents, so I had to adjust and be more physical.”

Diaz, whose twin brother Francisco also played four years of varsity soccer at RTHS, scored his first career varsity goals as a freshman in 2021. Diaz, who played midfield and forward during his time with the Hubs, enjoyed a breakout sophomore season in 2022, when he scored nine goals (third most on the team) and dished out four assists (tied for third most). Diaz said he intends to earn his associate’s degree at Kish and pursue a career as a physical therapist.

“I’m looking forward to making more connections with not only the people around me, but hopefully other universities to play for because it’s a dream of mine,” said Diaz, whose two older brothers, Alexis Bueno and Sergio Magallon, both played soccer at Kishwaukee College. “What swayed me to Kish was my brothers’ experiences with the program. I’m hoping that I can help and improve in the midfield and possess the ball. I want to get better at playing with IQ.”

Diaz scored seven goals and led the Hubs with seven assists during his junior season, when he became a team captain for the first time in his career. Diaz kept the captain’s badge as a senior in 2024, helping Rochelle bounce back from a five-win season in 2023. Diaz, who earned an Interstate 8 All-Conference award in 2024, will reunite with teammate Alberto Casillas at Kish.

AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) – West Plains senior soccer star Antonio Baca signed his NLI with Blackburn College on Tuesday.

The end of the school year is upon us, but more and more star senior athletes are continuing to find their next home to compete in college.

On Tuesday, one of the founding members of the West Plains’ soccer program signed his letter of intent.

Antonio Baca, a team captain for the Wolves, signed with Blackburn College Men’s Soccer.

Blackburn is located in Carlinville, IL. Signing his letter surrounded by friends, family and teammates, Baca understood the importance of the big day.

 “It means a lot to me,” Baca said. “I’m very thankful for them. I’m excited, I didn’t expect this many people.”

He spoke on why he felt Blackburn was the place to be.

“It was just a good experience, when I met with the coaches, when they showed up for a showcase,” he said. “I connect with them really well and it just seemed like the right fit.”

As a sophomore the year that West Plains opened its doors, he was one of the founding members of the boys soccer team.

“West Plains prepared me very well, with Coach A and Coach Dodson,” Baca said. “They’ve helped me out a lot, with us being a new school, you know, and making playoffs for two years. I can’t thank them enough. I think they’ve guided me in the right direction to play at the collegiate level, and I’m excited.”

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