North Central College Cardinals

Gabriel Rivera joined the North Central College coaching staff in July 2022 as the head coach of the Cardinals' men's track and field program. Rivera arrived in Naperville after head coaching stints at Long Beach City College (California) and nearby Benedictine University.


North Central College

• Head Coach, 2022-present
  • 2023, 2024 CCIW Indoor Track & Field Champions
    • 2024 Indoor Track Student-Athlete of the Meet
  • 2023, 2024 CCIW Outdoor Track & Field Champions
    • 2024 CCIW Outdoor Coaching Staff of the Year
  • 10 All-America award winners

• Head Coach, 2020-2022
  • 17th place, 2022 Indoor National Championships
  • 11th place, 2022 Outdoor National Championships

• Head Coach (men's and women's cross country/track & field), 2017-2020
  • Vastly increased roster sizes
  • Qualified nine entries for California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) State Championships

• Assistant Coach (men's track & field - sprints/hurdles/relays), 2008-2017
  • Second-place finish, Horizon League Championship, 2010
  • UIC student-athletes established 18 new school records
  • Eight stuent-athletes qualified for NCAA Division I Regional competition
  • Named interim head coach, January 2017

• Bachelor's degree in criminal justice from University of Illinois-Chicago (2004)
• Master's degree in physical education from Eastern New Mexico University (2009)
• USA Track & Field (USATF) Coaching Certifications
  • Sprints/Hurdles/Relays Specialist
  • Jumps Specialist
  • Strength & Conditioning

• Native of Bolingbrook
• All-American sprinter at College of DuPage, 2000-2001
• All-Horizon League in 100-meter dash at University of Illinois-Chicago, 2004