Activist Group Lauds Galaxy Coach For Bringing Openly Gay Player To Team
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Los Angeles Galaxy Head Coach and General Manager Bruce Arena will be honored Thursday with the Spirit of Courage Award during the Courage Campaign Institution's Fifth Annual Spirit of Courage Awards.
The award recognizes those who exemplify courage in the fight for a more fair and just society.
Arena is being honored for his role in bringing Robbie Rogers to the Galaxy in 2013.
Rogers became the first openly gay athlete in a major professional U.S. sports league.
Rogers, who made his Galaxy debut on May 24, 2013, will present Arena the award.
He has made 43 appearances for the Galaxy since being traded to the team from the Chicago Fire.
The defender has scored one goal and collected six assists during his tenure with the Galaxy.
Since June 8, 2014, when Rogers made the move to become a full-time defender, the Galaxy are 23-8-12 when he makes an appearance.
Arena is a decorated coach, sporting a career record of 112-62-62 as head coach of the Galaxy.
He has 189 total wins as a head coach in the MLS, which is second-most in the history of the league.
The event Thursday will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Union Station in Los Angeles. There will be a cocktail hour beforehand, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
For more information on the Courage Campaign Institute, visit www.CourageCampaign.com
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