St. Viator names DeLeon as new boys soccer coach

With an emphasis on the "student" in "student-athlete," soccer coach Byron DeLeon has mentored some successful teams at St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights.

Earlier this month, he was promoted to the top of the boys soccer program, as athletic director Jason Kuffel announced DeLeon will be the school's new varsity boys soccer coach, beginning at the start of the 2021-22 school year.

DeLeon was most recently the head coach of the boys junior varsity soccer team. In 2017, DeLeon led the JV team to the East Suburban Catholic Conference championship.

"Byron has not only proven he is a skilled coach, but his coaching philosophies align well with St. Viator values," Kuffel said. "He understands that these boys are students first and athletes second."

DeLeon, who has also served as the assistant coach for the boys varsity team, has been coaching boys soccer for nearly 20 years.

"I believe a student has the privilege to participate in an athletic activity as a reward for their academic achievement," DeLeon said. "I also believe in healthy competition, but don't adopt a 'win-at-all-costs' mentality. Soccer presents players with unexpected challenges and my goal is to help these boys build character and gain confidence through the game."

DeLeon has previously coached at St. Patrick High School, Notre Dame High School for Girls, Mustangs FC, Lyons SC, Maine East High School and has 16 years of experience as the head coach of the International Tribe Soccer Club boys U18 team.