Bakersfield College has named Vayron Martinez the head coach of the men’s soccer team.

There hasn’t been a men’s soccer team at BC in almost 30 years. Men’s soccer will become the 20th intercollegiate athletic team in the department this fall.

Martinez currently serves as the associate head coach at L.A. Mission College, where he helped lead them to the Southern California Semifinals this year, but they lost to the eventual state champions Oxnard College 1-0.

Along with his experience at the college level, Martinez has coached elite club soccer for more than 10 years. Martinez recently graduated from Concordia University Irvine with a master’s degree in coaching and athletic administration.

“I am very excited to join Bakersfield College athletics and contribute to the rich heritage of a program that’s been around for over 90 years. I’ve dedicated my life to teaching the game of soccer, and I’m thrilled to be part of restarting this program at BC,” said Martinez.

Tryouts are tentatively scheduled for early July.