Welcoming Cesar Rivas-Sandoval: Westcliff’s New Director of Athletics
Westcliff University is proud to introduce Cesar Rivas-Sandoval as our new Director of Athletics. With more than two decades of leadership experience across NCAA and NAIA programs, and a heart that never left the playing field, Cesar brings both expertise and passion to the Warrior family.
Ask Cesar how he describes himself, and he’ll tell you he’s “just an old-fashioned ball coach.” For years, he built his career on the field, guiding student-athletes through competition, discipline, and teamwork. Eventually, his path led to administration, but for Cesar, that simply meant coaching on a broader scale.
“In administration, you still get to be a ball coach at heart,” he shared. “You’re just leading and coaching up in a different way. Instead of one team, now you get to impact the entire program.”
A Career Rooted in Student Success
Cesar’s resume is extensive, with leadership and coaching stops at Azusa Pacific University, Southeastern University, University of Sioux Falls, University of Tennessee–Martin, University of Nebraska–Kearney, and most recently as Deputy Director of Athletics at the University of La Verne. Across every program, his focus has been consistent: student-athlete development, both on and off the field.
“The real wins come when you see young people walk across the stage at graduation,” Cesar reflected. “Watching them grow, facing challenges and learning resilience, that’s the greatest victory of all.”
For Cesar, athletics is more than competition; it’s a classroom in its own right.
“Life is sports, and sports is life,” he explained. “It teaches you how to deal with adversity, how to fail moving forward, and how to pick yourself back up with the support of your team. That’s education at its finest.”
Why Westcliff? The People.
When asked what drew him to Westcliff, Cesar’s answer was simple: the community.
“I had no idea this was on the horizon for me, professionally or personally,” he said. “But meeting Dr. Lee, the staff, the coaches, and now the players, it’s such a special group of people. Westcliff embodies something unique, and I’m so excited to be a part of it.”
As he steps into his new role, Cesar extends a warm invitation to the entire Westcliff community. “Whether you’re a family member, a faculty or staff member, a fan, or a fellow student-athlete, I encourage you to come out and watch our teams compete. See how they represent the Warriors.”
Building on a Legacy of Excellence
Cesar steps into his new role at a time of incredible momentum for Westcliff Athletics. Since joining the NAIA and Cal Pac in 2021, the Warriors have captured eight national titles, 27 conference championships, and 13 individual titles, 35 championships in total. Along the way, Westcliff student-athletes have earned recognition as 23 NAIA All-Americans, 118 NAIA Scholar Athletes, and 36 Cal Pac All-Academic honorees. With more than 350 student-athletes competing across multiple sports, Westcliff is not only building champions but shaping leaders for life.
With his wealth of experience, unwavering commitment to student success, and belief in the power of sports to transform lives, Cesar Rivas-Sandoval is poised to lead Westcliff Athletics into an exciting new era. The Warrior family is thrilled to welcome him, and we can’t wait to see the growth, resilience, and championships ahead.