Posted: Jun 19, 2023
Chris Rivera, a serviceman for the United States Navy and an Irvine Valley men's vollleyball player, has been named the IVC Athletics Department's Veteran of the Year for the 2022-23 school year.
Rivera, a 6-2 middle blocker, helped Irvine Valley finish as one of the best community college squads in the state of California this past season.
The Lasers finished with a record of 16-3 overall, tied for the Orange Empire Conference title and reached the semifinals of the California Community College Athletic Association state event.
He played in 13 matches, averaged 1.00 kills per set and hit .273 on the year. Rivera had a season-high five kills in IVC conference wins at Golden West and Fullerton in late March.
Rivera attended St. Charles Community College in Missouri out of high school and then went to NAIA Missouri Baptist University to study pre-nursing. Following his time at MOBAP, he took a step back and made the decision to enlist in the Navy.
"Although my volleyball ambitions were short lived (at the time), I seized the opportunity to grow in countless avenues, and step away from the life I knew," Rivera said.
His time in the Navy included 1st Command at the Naval Hospital in Okinawa (2016-18) with facilitating and assisting doctors with patient needs and pre- and post-op clinics.
Rivera's 2nd Command was was with the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines at Camp Pendleton (2019-21). He was a central medical isason for a company/platoon of infantry Marines.
Rivera said he helped oversee and facilitate the health and well-being of his military brothers and sisters and was tactically proficient in infantry training, while also gaining expertise in combat trauma/casualty care.
But he never lost sight of his love of volleyball. Rivera was able to particiapte in All-Armed Forces Tournaments, while with the Navy.
Rivera said his appreciation for the game and those experiences still playing in the military helped him want to play competitively again.
And Irvine Valley was fortunate to have him join the 2023 program and be a part of a top four team in the state.
Rivera graduated earlier this month on campus at IVC and will be moving on to Cal Poly Pomona in the fall of 2023.
He plans on studying in Civil Engineering.
