Ricardo Torres is a Sweetwater, 9 year El Jacal Restaurant owner, an Assistant at Monroe County Schools, and has been a Head Coach at Sweetwater Jr. High, Sweetwater High, and Sequoyah High Schools for many years. Mr. Torres was also part of the coaching staff for the Men & Women's Soccer Teams at Hiwassee College. In 2020, Ricardo opened a Sweetwater Indoor/Outdoor soccer field where he introduces area kids to the basic rules of soccer, and also helps the more experienced players to improve their skills.

Ricardo's experience in managing his own successful business, working with students of different ages, his certification as a soccer coach, and his passion for the sport, have all contributed to his ability to help develop our youth, not only in sports, but in the lives.

Coach Torres says how humble, but proud, he is when from a distance, he hears a child or teen call out, "Hi Coach" as he passes. This lets him know that he has contributed, in some positive way, to them having respect for others, them wanting to give back to, and be involved in community activities, and their being excited about their futures. These things will hopefully guide them for a lifetime.

Finally, Coach Torres says that he has probably learned as much, or more, from his "kids", and they ARE his; than he has taught them. In any case, Mr. Ricardo Torres, our Monroe County friend, intends to keep working and keep learning.