Episode 14 | More Than a Game: How Coach Soto And Coach French Use Lacrosse to Change Girls’ Lives at Del Norte

Host Renato Paiva introduced the guests, Coach Soto and Coach French, who lead the Del Norte Girls Lacrosse Program. Renato shared a personal connection, as his daughter is part of their program, and expressed admiration for the coaches' work and impact.Coach Soto shared his personal journey, growing up in San Diego in a low-income, immigrant family, facing challenges such as homelessness and limited access to youth sports due to financial constraints. He described how these hardships shaped his perspective and resilience. His introduction to lacrosse came through a friend from a local reservation, but he initially pursued other sports like baseball and football.In high school, he encountered Coach Michaels, a teacher and mentor who profoundly influenced his life by believing in him, challenging his assumptions, and providing guidance during a rebellious period. Coach Michaels' mentorship extended beyond sports, teaching Soto valuable life lessons about breaking stereotypes, perseverance, and the importance of intention and action. The loss of Coach Michaels to cancer was a pivotal moment for Soto, reinforcing the impact a dedicated mentor can have.After high school, Soto traveled through Europe, an experience he described as more educational than his formal college years. He lived in Germany for over a year, coaching track and field, which broadened his worldview and independence. Upon returning to the U.S., he faced further challenges with college admissions and financial aid due to his family's immigration status.During this time, he was recruited to coach girls' lacrosse at his alma mater, Granite Hills, despite initial reluctance and lack of experience with the girls' game. He quickly adapted, focusing on fundamentals and building a culture of resilience and improvement. His approach emphasized ground balls and effort, leading to gradual success and buy-in from the team.Soto recounted how, after a coaching shakeup, he was asked to take over the head coach position at just 22 years old. He implemented a new culture, held tryouts, and made tough decisions about team composition, ultimately transforming the program. Over the years, he built Granite Hills into a league champion and a respected program, but eventually felt it was time for a change.He transitioned to Del Norte, attracted by the school's resources and commitment to athletics and academics. There, he continued to focus on culture, accountability, and player development, implementing a four-year plan that has led the team to consistent playoff appearances and finals berths.  Coach Soto discussed the challenges of maintaining high performance amid roster turnover, particularly after graduating large senior classes. He emphasized the importance of coaching through adversity, trusting the process, and developing younger players. A recent loss to Mount Carmel was used as a teaching moment about emotional resilience, responsibility, and growth. Soto highlighted the need for players to respond to setbacks with self-reflection and determination, rather than frustration or blame.The episode concluded with host Renato expressing gratitude for Coach Soto and Coach French's dedication and positive influence on the players, including his own daughter. He encouraged listeners to continue opening doors for others and to follow Access Youth Academy's work in empowering youth through sports and education.About Access Youth AcademyAccess Granted is the official podcast of Access Youth Academy, a social impact organization whose mission is to transform the lives of underserved youth through academic enrichment, health and wellness, social responsibility and leadership using sports as a catalyst.  We believe every child should have equal access to achieve their full potential.  To Learn more about Access Youth Academy and explore how you can become a game changer, please visit our website.  https://accessyouthacademy.org/About Cloudcast MediaAs the national leader in local podcasting, Cloudcast Media proudly produces "Access Granted" through its CauseCast platform to help amplify, augment, and accelerate the mission and reach of community social impact organizations.  For more information on Cloudcast Media, please visit their website at CloudCast Media.  This episode was produced by high school student Associate Producers Natalie Beltran and Naol Hailemeskel. The episode was engineered / mixed / mastered by Christelle Auzas.