The Long Beach City College Athletics Department is sad to announce that Gabe Rivera is stepping down as the Director of Track & Field Operations at Long Beach City College (LBCC) this month. This was Rivera's fourth season with the Vikings.

"As the Director of Track and Field/Cross Country, Gabe did an outstanding job in raising the profile of the program through local high school recruiting and colleges for transferring our more gifted performers," said Interim Athletics Director Bill Husak. "He organized a staff that worked well together to develop our student-athletes. For these efforts and all the successes that have been achieved both academically and athletically in the program, I and LBCC are grateful."

During his time at LBCC, Rivera has increased the number of athletes on the cross-country and track & field teams, took the cross-country and track & field teams to the State Championships every year during his tenure and hosted the Long Beach City College Invitational last year at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

"I summarize my time at Long Beach City College as being a part of a large next and a family," said Gabe Rivera. "The staff here are second to none, student-athletes quality individuals. I am so grateful that I was given the opportunity to lead this program over the past several years and I have grown immensely while at the college. Additionally, I am proud of the program we built along with the rest of our coaching staff. I am confident that I am leaving LBCC in the care of some great coaches and wonderful people to lead our athletes into the next season. I'm thankful to Bill Husak and Dr. Munoz on the support they have given the athletic department. I have developed relationships with our students, coaches and support staff that will last a life time. Thank you LBCC!"

Rivera has been named the Head Coach of Men's Track & Field at Benedictine University in Lisle, IL. The Eagles compete in the Northern Athletics Conference at the NCAA Division III level.