Conversations

Striking Gold — and Black

Adrien Perez ’16, who terrorized WCC opponents as an LMU attacker for men’s soccer, scored his first MLS goal for LAFC in this first start for the team earlier this season. He talks about life as a pro and what he’s learning on one of the best teams in Major League Soccer.

Saving the Blue Butterfly

In 1976, prospects for the El Segundo blue butterfly were so dire that the insect was placed on the endangered species list. Since then, community organizations and individuals have worked on restoring the butterfly’s habitat in coastal dunes. But although preservation efforts have produced results, the blue butterfly’s survival remains a concern.

The Stigma and the Game

Professional athletes are beginning to openly discuss a long-hidden secret: their mental health struggles and the stigma that comes with them. William D. Parham, SOE professor and director of the National Basketball Players Association Mental Health and Wellness Program, describes the pressures that accompany the glory of life as an elite professional athlete.