From Student Coach to Program Leader: Giovanni Leguizamon’s HFA Journey

July 17, 2025

Giovanni Leguizamon began his journey with Home Field Advantage in 2017 as a high school student coach assisting with soccer. Early on, he helped at one of HFA’s very first events (a series of futsal events in Los Angeles with Electric Futsal) which set the tone for the kind of creative, community-driven sports experiences he would grow to lead.

Electric Futsal Event, Venice Beach, LA. 2017

Gio coaching his first game day at Doty Middle School. 2018

In 2019, he piloted HFA’s first basketball program, which became a lasting part of the organization’s offerings. Throughout college at Cal State Long Beach, Giovanni kept coaching while earning a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He went on to receive licenses and formal training in soccer, basketball, and tennis.

Unsworth Elementary School, Downey, CA. 2019

Rio San Gabriel Elementary School, Downey, CA. 2019

During the pandemic, he continued to coach virtually over Zoom, keeping kids active and connected during lockdown. He was also one of our first coaches to return to in-person programming at local parks when it was safe to do so, helping restart youth sports when it mattered most.

back in person at Apollo Park, Downey, CA. 2021.

After graduating college in 2023, Giovanni returned to HFA full-time to help lead the next generation. He brings hands-on civil engineering experience from his undergraduate internships with the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering and the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts. His work in public infrastructure deepened his understanding of how cities function and strengthened his passion for building a better LA. Whether designing more equitable urban environments or creating meaningful spaces for youth, Giovanni is committed to shaping healthier, more connected communities.

Today, he remains a vital part of HFA’s leadership team, serving on the board as Treasurer and acting as our Director of Coaching and Organizational Impact. Through his time at HFA, Giovanni has also discovered new passions—including tennis, which he picked up as an adult and now plays competitively in regional tournaments with the HFA Downey Tennis Club. He also joins weekly pick-up futsal games with staff and friends, thanks to the space and access HFA makes possible.

leading HFA’s Student Coach Program in Compton

weekly futsal night with the HFA fam at Indepence Park, Downey, CA

A student coach turned community leader, Giovanni’s journey thus far is a true HFA success story.