Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

June 30, 2022 - North Central College athletic director Jim Miller '86 has announced the hiring of 18-year coaching veteran Gabriel Rivera as the next head coach of the Cardinals' men's track and field program.

The head men's coach at nearby Benedictine University the past two seasons, Rivera brings a wide variety of experience and technical acumen to the new role.

"We are excited to welcome Coach Rivera to North Central College as he looks to continue to develop the nationally-respected, legacy track and field program he's inherited from Coaches Frank Gramarosso and Al Carius," Miller said.  "It's a great challenge that comes with tremendous support from a variety of sources to carry the program for years to come."

Rivera coached the Eagles to a 17th-place showing at the 2022 NCAA Division III Indoor Championship and an 11th-place finish at the Division III Outdoor Championship. 

"North Central College is a community that values the growth and success of each individual student-athlete," Rivera said. "That aligns directly with my belief system as a head coach.

"Because of this, I know North Central is the right fit for me. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to help lead such a historic program."

Rivera's first head coaching stint came at Long Beach City College (California) from 2017 to 2020. Coaching the men's and women's cross country and track and field teams, Rivera vastly increased the teams' roster size and LBCC student-athletes earned national qualifying marks in a wide variety of disciplines.

Rivera coached at the University of Illinois-Chicago from 2008 to 2017, as the Flames achieved a second-place finish at the 2010 Horizon League Outdoor Championship, set 18 school records and qualified eight student-athletes for NCAA Division I Regional competition. 

"Coach Rivera brings unique experiences and attributes, having coached at the NCAA Division I, II, III, and NJCAA levels," Miller said. He has also developed extensive recruiting relationships in the Chicagoland area."

A native of Bolingbrook, Rivera received his bachelor's degree at UIC in 2004 and a master's degree in 2009 from Eastern New Mexico University. Rivera has a USA Track & Field (USATF) sprints/hurdles/relays specialist certification, jumps specialist certification and strength & conditioning certification.

Rivera officially begins duties as the Cardinals' head coach July 18.