Armando “Manny” Touron: A Champion for Education and Soccer in Immokalee
Armando “Manny” Touron, President of the Immokalee Soccer Pit Cobras, is a passionate advocate for youth development through sports and education. Born in Havana, Cuba, Manny emigrated to the United States at age 13, facing the challenges of adapting to a new culture and language. His involvement in sports, particularly soccer, played a crucial role in his success, offering him both an outlet and an opportunity to excel academically.
Manny earned both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree, attending colleges in New York and Connecticut, primarily on sports scholarships. He credits his athletic involvement with helping him graduate high school and pursue higher education—experiences that shaped his belief in the power of sports to open doors for young people.
After completing his degrees, Manny spent fourteen years teaching and working in school administration in New York and Connecticut before relocating to Collier County, Florida. There, he spent 17 years as an administrator in both public and charter schools. Throughout his career, Manny continued to give back to the community by volunteering as an assistant coach for the Immokalee High School Boys Soccer Program. His commitment to coaching has remained steadfast, even as he works to expand educational and vocational opportunities for Immokalee’s youth.
As President of the Immokalee Soccer Pit Cobras, Manny has channeled his deep understanding of education and athletics into creating a program that offers more than just soccer training. The Cobras are designed to provide young athletes with pathways to post-secondary education and vocational careers. Manny’s vision for the program is to equip participants with the tools they need to succeed both on the field and in life.
In addition to soccer, the program focuses on mentorship, scholarships, and internships, forging connections with local schools, colleges, and businesses to provide young athletes with the resources they need to advance academically and professionally. Through his leadership, Manny continues to shape the future of the Immokalee community, one student-athlete at a time.
Manny Touron’s journey—from a young immigrant to an influential leader in education and athletics—is a testament to the life-changing power of sports. As he works to expand opportunities for the youth of Immokalee, his dedication to their success continues to have a lasting impact on the community.