CARSON, Calif. – Family and tradition are everything to the LA Galaxy’s oldest supporters’ group, the Galaxians.
The original Galaxy Supporters' Group, the Galaxians have been a fixture at games since 1996.
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Founded on the motto “Loyalty - Pride – Tradition," the Galaxians are a multicultural group that mix English and Spanish-speaking supporter cultures. They can be easily identified at any Galaxy match by their bright yellow shirts, which pay homage to the club’s previous color scheme.
“We wear yellow and keep the traditions alive,” Galaxians vice president and capo Adrian Payes told LAGalaxy.com. “There are so many stories from the Rose Bowl and StubHub Center that we’ve been a part of and keep our traditions from the early days alive.”
Unlike the more raucous Angel City Brigade and LA Riot Squad, the Galaxians pride themselves in providing a family-friendly environment at StubHub Center.
“Our group has a lot more of a family atmosphere,” Payes said. “You’ve got all spectrums in our group including those who choose to sit and watch the game and the rest who get involved in with the flag waving and chanting. In fact, several have joined us from other supporters’ groups because of our family environment. We offer something for everybody.”
No one knows more about the Galaxians’ dedication to the organization than club Vice President of Soccer Operations, Peter Vagenas. The former Galaxy captain spent nine seasons with the team winning two MLS Cups (2002 and 2005) and a pair of U.S. Open Cups (2001 and 2005).
Throughout his tenure with the Galaxy, the Galaxians were a constant in the stands for Vagenas and his teammates—and that is something that Vagenas will never forget.
“Since the inception of this club, we’ve always been a fantastic home team, and that has a lot to do with our fans and our supporters’ groups,” Vagenas said. “To this day, I can still close my eyes and picture the Galaxians and put names to faces and remember individuals who have sat in the same seat and continue to cheer on this club through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.
“At the end of the day, there’s no greater feeling than stepping onto your home field and having the support of your fan groups. For me, specifically, with the Galaxians going back to the very beginning… they’re fantastic. They’re a massive part of our club along with other supporters’ groups. It’s a testament that as they’ve grown, we’ve grown. They’re truly part of our lifeblood, for sure.”
As they continue in their 21st season of existence, the Galaxians are taking significant steps to grow their organization in the months and years ahead. However, as they seek to expand, they intend to keep their traditions at the forefront.
“We take a lot of pride in our ability to keep our legacy alive,” Payes said. “We’re trying to keep our growth going.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog atLAGalaxy.com/Insiderand contact him atLAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
