Carlos Lopez, a Spanish teacher at West Valley Middle School, is not just an educator—he’s a voice for the Hispanic community, a role model for his students, and the “Spanish Voice of Vamos Vols.”
His journey from Venezuela to the United States, and from a football coach to a Spanish broadcaster, is a testament to resilience, passion, and a commitment to his roots.
Born and raised in Venezuela, Lopez’s life took a dramatic turn when his mother fled to the United States following a radical change in the political landscape of her home country.
Two years later, Lopez and his older brother followed her to a new life in America.
“My mom always told us, ‘I’m taking you to a country where whatever dreams you have, you can make them a reality.’ That stuck with me,” Lopez said.
Lopez’s mother was determined to fully immerse her children in American culture and language, which led them to Seymour, Tennessee, where Lopez found himself as the only Hispanic student in the school.
As a student at Seymour High School, Lopez discovered his love for sports, particularly football, which would become a lifelong passion.
“My head football coach saw potential in me as a kicker, transitioning me from soccer to American football,” Lopez said. “Those Friday nights ignited something in me.”
After high school, Lopez earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Carson-Newman University, initially intending to become a court interpreter. However, he soon realized the unique value he could bring as a native Spanish speaker in education.
This realization led him to pursue a master’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University while continuing to nurture his passion for football.
Lopez’s journey as an educator began in 2015 at Hardin Valley Academy, and he later taught at other schools in the area. It was during his time at Alcoa High School that Lopez stumbled upon a new passion.
“In 2022, I uploaded a 32-second clip of a touchdown call in Spanish,” Lopez said. “It went viral, and I thought, ‘We got something here.’”
Recognizing the growing Hispanic population in the area, Lopez created “Vamos Vols,” a platform dedicated to uniting the community through sports.
“We are an underserved community, and I wanted to unite us all. Vamos Vols became a way to bring our community together through the love of sports,” Lopez said.
It was because of this video–and some persistence–that Lopez was invited to make history alongside VFL Fuad Reveiz on September 23, 2023, with the first Tennessee Athletics Spanish-language broadcast.
And in August, the University of Tennessee announced the Lopez and Reveiz team would continue their radio broadcasts for every Tennessee football game.
The impact of Vamos Vols has been profound, not only within the Hispanic community but also in the lives of his students.
“My students Google ‘Vamos Vols’ and say, ‘Mr. Lopez, you’re famous.’ But it’s not about fame—it’s about representing our community and showing them that their dreams are valid,” Lopez said.
Lopez’s dedication to his community and students is unwavering.
“I want my students to feel that Mr. Lopez wants them to reach their goals. Education in Venezuela is not mandatory, but here it is, and I want them to want to be here,” he said.
His influence extends beyond the classroom, as he inspires students to engage with their heritage and take pride in their roots.
As Lopez continues to balance his roles as an educator and broadcaster, his mission remains clear: to be a voice for his community and to inspire the next generation.
“God has called me to educate and reach as many people as I can, spreading love and unity. That’s the purpose of Vamos Vols,” Lopez said.
Follow Carlos Lopez and Vamos Vols on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube, and listen along to the Spanish broadcasts on AM 990, The Sports Animal 99.1 app, the Tennessee Athletics app, or at utsports.com.
Great Educators in Every School
Great educators are core to the mission of KCS. By investing in meaningful professional development and growth opportunities, and pursuing innovative strategies to retain and recruit high-quality educators, KCS is positioning great educators in every classroom.
