The LA Galaxy will join forces with the LA Chargers, StubHub Center and First Break Academy to host Read Across America Day at StubHub Center this Thursday, March 2 from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. PT. Players and staff will read to over 400 second and third grade student from 186th Street Elementary School and Leapwood Elementary School to celebrate Read Across America Day, a nation-wide celebration of children’s author Dr. Seuss.
Women’s Tennis Association legend and ESPN broadcaster Pam Shriver is currently on the First Break Board of Directors, and is a longtime philanthropist and volunteer who will be on-site taking part in the days’ activities. “First Break Academy is all about giving back to the community, and I am fortunate to be involved with the dedicated team at First Break that strives to teach the game of tennis to those who might not have otherwise been exposed to the sport,” said Shriver, who won 22 Grand Slam doubles titles during her Hall of Fame career.
Shriver was selected as the first president of the USTA Foundation, the charitable arm of the USTA. She served as president from 2000-05 and today remains an active member of the foundation’s board of directors. She also was appointed to the President’s Council on Physical Fitness under both President Ronald Reagan and President George H. W. Bush.
ATP World Touring Professionals Stefan Kozlov, Bradley Klahn, and Sam Groth will also participate in reading to the children. Southern California tennis fans may remember the teenager Kozlov from the 2016 USC Pro Circuit event as he captured the men’s Futures singles title. Klahn is a former NCAA singles champion (2010) from Stanford University, and originally from Poway in San Diego County. The 26 year old is back on tour after back surgery sidelined him for a little under two years after reaching a career-high No. 63 in the world rankings in 2014. Groth is one of the most exciting and respected Australian players currently on the ATP World Tour. He holds the record for the world’s fastest serve recorded at 163 mph in Busan, Korea. Groth’s career high ranking in No. 53 and injuries have kept him just inside the top 200 as of late.
LA Galaxy players that will take part in the day include: defender Jelle Van Damme, goalkeeper Brian Rowe, midfielder Baggio Husidic, forward Jack McBean, defender Dave Romney and forward Jose Villarreal. LA Chargers players include: Max Tuerk, safety Dwight Lowery, linebacker Kyle Emanuel, and linebacker Denzel Perryman.
All participants will be provided lunch by Levy Restaurants, receive cobranded shirts to wear on event day and take home their own books provided by MLS Works. Read Across America is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss. Read Across America also provides NEA members, parents, caregivers, and children the resources and activities they need to keep reading on the calendar 365 days a year.