ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Former University of New Mexico men’s soccer player James Rogers was selected with the 11th pick of the third round (53rd overall) by Sporting KC during the 2015 MLS SuperDraft Tuesday. He was the second Lobo selected in the draft, joining Oniel Fisher who went off the board in round two on Thursday to Seattle Sounders FC.
“I’m really excited for James,” UNM head coach Jeremy Fishbein said. “He’s a very special player with some unique qualities. All he needs is a chance to be successful. I’m excited to see how his career will turn out.”
Rogers finished his Lobo career as one of the most productive players in program history. He ranks in the top 10 in assists (fourth, 20), shots (fourth, 179), points (eighth, 64), goals (eighth, 22) and starts (eighth, 74). He helped lead UNM to three straight Sweet 16 appearances in the NCAA Tournament, including a trip to the program’s second ever College Cup in 2013.
On Monday he was named one of 24 national semifinalists for the Wooden Citizenship Cup, which is presented to two distinguished athletes from any sport – one intercollegiate and one professional – that best display character, teamwork, and citizenship, the attributes Athletes for a Better World deems central to transforming individuals, sport, and society. The award establishes the recipients as athletes of excellence both on and off the field, role models both as performers and persons, the most important and distinctive honor athletes can achieve.