CALIFORNIA - Toro men's soccer legend Kei Kamara will be the next representative for Cal State Dominguez Hills to be inducted in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Hall of Fame. The announcement was made Monday by the league office.

The CCAA will present Kamara his award on February 22, following the conclusion of the women's basketball game against CSU San Bernardino.

"It's a blessing," Kamara begins, humbled by this honor.  "All I wanted as a kid when I moved to the USA was just to be able to have a better opportunity, and I did. Thanks to my teammates and coaching staffs during my time at DH for creating the best learning and competitive environment for me to grow. And thank you to the CCAA for this honor.  It's truly a blessing, and I just want to be an example for the believers and dreamers at DH and around the CCAA, to know that yes, it is possible to achieve whatever you put you heart into, and to work hard but remember to have fun while doing it as well.

"Thank you again, it's truly an honor."
 
Kamara will be joined by Cal State San Bernardino's Scott Householder (men's golf), UC San Diego's Leora Juster (women's basketball), Humboldt State's Lizzie Prescott (softball), Cal Poly Pomona's Jim Sackett (cross country coach) and Stanislaus State's Chaunte Simmons (women's track & field) to make up the Class of 2020.

He is the fourth Toro to be enshrined as a conference great, joining Chanel Parker (track & field/2019), Kevin Gallagher (men's soccer/2017) and Carmelita Jeter (track & field/2014).
 
Kamara played two seasons (2004, 2005) for Cal State Dominguez Hills and compiled 31 goals in 47 games, good for sixth in career scoring in program history. His 16 goals as a freshman and 15 as a sophomore rank tied for sixth and tied for eighth in single-season scores, respectively. As a freshman, Kamara was named the CCAA Player of the Year, garnering All-Conference First Team honors in the process, and led the Toros to the league title. He was selected to All-Conference First Team once again as a sophomore and added an All-American accolade to his resume as a sophomore, after leading CSUDH to another CCAA crown and NCAA Far West Region title. Following his sophomore season, Kamara was taken ninth overall by the Columbus Crew in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft. As a professional, he has played for 10 different teams and has amassed 131 goals. Kamara currently plays for the Colorado Rapids of the MLS. 
 
"Having a player like Kei Kamara come from Dominguez Hills gives each of our student-athletes hope," said current men's soccer head coach Eddie Soto on Kamara's induction. "He is an international legend and has left a legacy for our players to follow. His professionalism on and off the pitch inspires all of us to reach great heights. Kei scorched the CCAA and currently terrorizes MLS defenses with elite athleticism, dominant aerial ability and superlative one-touch finishing. Kei is a blessing for not only this program, alumni, and staff, but especially for our current players as well."
 
Kamara's story starts in war-torn Sierra Leone, West Africa. He left his home and started his new life in the United States at 16-years old. Kamara eventually ended up at Leuzinger High School in Lawndale and took the only recruitment offer he had received, from Cal State Dominguez Hills. The rest, as they say, is history. 

Kamara has been active in service to the global community as well. In 2012, he founded the Heart Shaped Hands Foundation, which provides scholarships to schools and students in Sierra Leone, giving many students and education they otherwise might not have. Named after his signature goal celebration, the Foundation has allowed Kamara to follow his heart and use his hands to give back. In 2015, Kamara was named the MLS WORKS Humanitarian of the Year. The award is voted on by media, players and club representatives and given to a MLS player who exemplifies both skill on the field and service within the community.