Gonzaga to honor longtime men’s soccer coach Einar Thorarinsson

In a ceremony that will include several notable former Gonzaga soccer stars, the school will honor longtime men’s coach Einar Thorarinsson in a ceremony Monday night.

The event is scheduled for 6:45 at the Gonzaga soccer field before the Bulldogs’ match against third-ranked Washington.

Thorarinsson, a native of Iceland who came to Gonzaga in 1995, is GU’s all-time leader in wins with 163. He led GU to NCAA Tournament appearances in 2001 and 2007, and West Coast Conference titles in 1997 and 1998.

Thorarinsson was named WCC Coach of the Year in 1996, 1997 and 2005 and coached 22 first-team All-WCC selections, along with three WCC Player of the Year winners.

Among the attendees will be former GU star Brian Ching, who had a long career in Major League Soccer, including three championships, an MLS Cup MVP, a Golden Boot Award and six all-star game appearances.

Ching played in a World Cup and played in more than 45 matches with the U.S. men’s national team.