Oakland University soccer standout Jason Perry was drafted to the Los Angeles Galaxy in the Major League Soccer SuperDraft on Friday, Jan. 16. Perry, who recently returned from the MLS Player Combine in Carson, Calif., was selected as the third pick in the fifth round for the Galaxy and becomes Oakland’s highest ever draft pick in any professional sport.

“I’m very excited for this chance to continue playing,” Perry said shortly after learning of his future in L.A. “I wished for somewhere warm, and that wish came true.”

A standout on the field in the back line for the Golden Grizzlies, Perry, who is from Southfield, Mich., just completed a stellar career for Oakland. A four-year starter and two-year captain, he led all OU defenders this past season with six assists. He also was named All-American, Mid-Continent Conference Defensive Player of the Year, and first team All-Mid-Con as a senior. He led Oakland to its fourth straight Mid-Con regular-season title, the NCAA Tournament and its highest-ever No. 12 national ranking.

Perry, a communications major who graduated in December, will continue his soccer career with the Galaxy who claimed the MLS Cup in 2002. The team’s 2003 season fell short of a repeat at the Western Conference semi-finals in November.

“We’re very excited that he got drafted” said Oakland head coach Gary Parsons. “We were a little surprised it was L.A. who drafted Jason since a lot of other teams were interested in him. But we’re very excited that Jason now has this opportunity to make a team.”

For more information on OU's men's soccer team, visit the OU Athletics Web site.