USCHerd

The Herd Blog lives again.

2011-11-08T17:54:00.000-08:00

In fact, it never actually died. It just got so fat and happy with success in the "tens" that it went to sleep. We now have a new era! A new coach and a new challenge. We have been raped by the NCAA. Our success in the "tens" was too much for Southeaster part of the country to handle. But that's OK, the spirit of the Thundering Herd and the great eras since is still alive.

View from the Herd - best fans and best seats in the Gray Lady!

Sad Days in the Herd

2007-11-08T22:15:00.000-08:00

Tragic Loss of a Trojan Fan
October 31, 2007

My name is Bert Vigil aka BV4SC. My son David passed away Monday morning and my family is asking for the Herd's prayers. David was a former football player for Crespi High School and a loyal USC Football fan. David sat in the Herd only once (thanks UCLAChupa) and he said it was the best! We sit in section 4 and used to attend the Tail Gates at Menlo and 39th. David always wanted to go to the tunnel at the end of the games and cheer the players. I am so glad that he was able to experience USC Football's rise to some of the greatest moments in the programs history (thanks Pete, Staff, players and fans) and experience some of the greatest fans in College Football.

(Here are some other websites that have tributes to David Vigil)

http://agouraponybaseball.org/
http://www.crespifootball.net/
Bert Vigil

I'm so sorry for your loss.... - NHHSfan 11/1 1:58 PM
Sorry to hear about your loss. He will be in my prayers.* - SC Is The Bomb! 11/1 1:27 PM
Thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time - sc alta loma 11/1 1:26 PM
My prayers for David, his teammates and the Vigil family* - shorty4TheHerd 11/1 1:12 PM
My deepest condolences. - Douger 11/1 11:20 AM
Re: Tragic Loss of a Trojan Fan - miyamky 11/1 10:54 AM
May the Lord be with him. God bless you all.* - SC GARY 11/1 10:42 AM
My sincere condolences and prayers to you and your family* - THE SC KID 11/1 10:03 AM
Oh, no. My heart aches for you and your family. - Trojan Belle 11/1 9:56 AM
Thoughts and prayers coming your way from the big Apple... - friedljd 11/1 9:34 AM
Condolences to you and your family, we'll keep you in our thoughts and - maverick6 11/1
Prayers and thoughts go out to your family... - namedaftermckay 11/1 9:06 AM
God bless the Vigil family in this time of need - scvince 11/1 9:02 AM
So sorry to hear about the loss of David to your Family. May he R.I.P.* - GABUSC 11/1 8
I am so sorry for your loss. I can't even fathom what you're going through. - Yucca 11/1 8:25
So very sorry for your loss. God bless the Vigils and those David touched* - GroverUSC
Thoughts and prayers to the Vigil family* - SDTroy 11/1 7:48 AM
Horrible news. God bless David and Fight On Vigil family. * - MojackSC1 11/1 7:08 AM
May God be with your family and his friends* - thescpriest 11/1 7:48 AM
Re: Tragic Loss of a Trojan Fan - CMIII 11/1 6:35 AM
Tragic loss is an understatement. Condolences to you and - Brooks 11/1 5:03 AM
Bert, my condolences to you and your family. Sounds like he - mpron 11/1 2:20 AM
BV4SC..With Our Deepest Sympathy to you and your family. - #1scmom 11/1 1:23 AM

Many Thanks to the Herd for the Prayers for our Family
November 08, 2007

Since the loss of our son David Vigil. The support we have been receiving from the community has been incredible. The local baseball league is going to start a scholarship fund and dedicate a field in David's name. His high school, Crespi Carmelite, dedicated their last game football game to him and they clinched a playoff berth by beatng Loyola 38-7! Crespi plays Notre Dame Friday night and Notre Dame is going to say a prayer for David before the game. We had 400 plus people at the funeral Monday but now we are trying to get our lives back together. We do live in a special place and the Thundering Herd is another special community.

Bert Vigil

I Just Received Some Very Sad News
November 08, 2007

My beautiful and amazing Aunt Barbara passed away yesterday. When Barbara was a young girl she went to USC. That's where she met my Uncle Bud. They fell in love instanty. Barbara was the spitting image of Jane Powell and was often mistaken for her. She was a true beauty inside and out. She was a very special person. After an illness several years ago she completely lost her sight. But she pressed on. She learned Brail, she took all kinds of classes, she went to exercise class four times a week, she wrote childrens books, some published and very popular, and she knew every inch of her house and kitchen and could cook any meal. It never seased to amaze me every time I went to visit and she walked around the kitchen and the house like she could see every thing. She was so positive and such an inspiration. She had such a gentle nature and a beutiful voice that I will truly miss. My family is going to miss her. Please say a prayer for us and for my Uncle Bud. Some of you may have met him as he tailgates right next to the old Herd spot. They were both still so in love and would hold hands when ever I saw them. He was so good to her. Now she is seeing all the rainbows in heaven and is with her son and my sister.

Cardinal Blood

Herd Walk Video (click on this link)

2007-09-30T07:56:00.000-07:00

The Herd Walk

Our thanks go out to Altadena Trojan (Big John). Altadena said that he made this video available to us for all the Herders who are out of town and who can't enjoy and experience the Herd Walks. Thanks to Altadena and Fight On for your efforts.

You can click on the title above, or click here:

http://gallery.mac.com/pingsjp#100026/2007-20Thundering-20Herd-Walk-20III&bgcolor=black

Altadena writes:

This is a big file, let it load, then play it, enjoy. It is a 15 minute video, with Herd Walk III, Scrimmage walk, Song Girls and TMB. Dial up not advised.

Fight On
Altadena Trojan

Video of the Herd Cart Presentation and Pete Carroll (click here for link)

2007-09-19T21:15:00.000-07:00

The Herd, the Herd Cart, Pete Carroll and Anthony Davis

As posted previously, the Herd Cart presentation took place on August 6th, 2007, after the opening practice of the USC Football team's 2007 campaign. Pete Carroll was there to accept the Cart from the Herd, and Anthony Davis, the Notre Dame killer, was also present to give Pete a personalized autographed copy of a 1973 Rose Bowl poster. Click on the title above for the link to the video.

SCKid filmed the Cart presentation and the presentation of the Rose Bowl poster from Anthony Davis. Lots of kudos for the Herd and our efforts in Pete's speech.

Fight On to everybody involved in the presentation, to SCKid for taping the event, and for theDoctor for bringing Anthony Davis and for hosting the video on his site.

Herders on the Road: Nebraska, Sept. 15th, 2007

2007-09-18T21:52:00.000-07:00

My Nebraska Trip
by SC Lisa

My boyfriend Eric (Marshall MBA Class of 2006) and I arrived in Lincoln on Thursday afternoon. We were immediately struck by the flatness of the landscape when we flew in and how spread everything was. Having gone to Arkansas last year for the game, I would even venture to say that this was more remote than Fayetteville. The airport was dead when we arrived and the TSA guys joked about letting us leave the airport, but when we finally did it was off to the hotel, but not before getting lost and passing not one, but two penitentiaries. We then made a late afternoon trip to the Nebraska bookstore to buy “Lil Red” – we buy a mascot for every away game we attend. Apparently Herbie, the other mascot, is “under construction” (his hair is changing from blond to brown and he’s going to be younger), so they didn’t have any stuffed Herbies.

Friday started off with me dropping Eric at the Quarry Oaks Golf Course to participate in the USC Golf Club’s Tournament with the Nebraska Golf Club. Since it was next to a wildlife preserve of some sort, Eric saw wild turkeys on the course and we saw elk on our way in. Later that day I attended the WeAreSC lunch at Brewsky’s and there were probably 60+ Trojans in attendance and Garry P. was very informative and even predicted a breakout performance by Johnson if I remember correctly. Later than afternoon as we were leaving the hotel a reporter stopped us and asked Eric if he wanted to answer a question. He then went on to explain that the Lincoln Journal Star does a weekly segment called the “Question of the Week”. This week’s question was “Where will you be at kickoff Saturday?” So he answered the question and got his picture taken!

We ate at Misty’s steakhouse that night with my dad - SC Gary and GAB, LLPOS (Harry) and his wife Rhonda and another Trojan whom GAB invited along. The highlight of that dinner was when the University of Nebraska cheerleaders came inside the restaurant and got all the NU fans fired up. We did a few spell outs ourselves however. Fun night and great beef! We capped off the night by hitting up a bar called Dillinger’s and had a great time with the NU students there (I won’t mention how the bartender in there remembered my dad and GAB from the night before!)

Saturday morning (after we found Eric in the newspaper!) we caught a cab bright and early to go back to downtown to retrieve our car (yes, it was that kind of night). Lucky for us, our rental car was still in the metered parking spot with no ticket and not even a warning! We had to laugh that a parking ticket there only costs $10.00 (if this was back in L.A. we would have been paying $300+ to get it out of impound!). Heck, to us it was worth getting a ticket and just parking it there all day, but we decided not to be cheap like Brooks and sacked up and moved it into an $11/day lot. (Now I know why the NU fans were shocked at the $25 Coliseum parking!)

All weekend long, walking around Lincoln, fans kept saying good luck to us and thanking us for making the trip. They kept asking us not to beat them too bad, whereas we replied that we just hoped it was a good game and that anything could happen. I had to laugh though when they asked us if we flew or drove to Lincoln. For those of your wondering, of course we flew! (At least they didn’t ask us if we flew there on private jets like they did last year in Arkansas). When 2:00pm rolled around we joined up with a client of Rodeo Ronnie’s for a tailgate. It took place in this exclusive lot where you had to have some sort of VIP card to get in (cars pay $400/year to park in that lot), so the hosts of the tailgate had to come and get us. It was a fantastic tailgate with a roasted pig and too much food and drink. All the NU fans welcomed us with open arms.

The game was fantastic besides it being pretty cold and the crappy bench seating the stadium had. (photo right: Eric got interviewded in a Lincoln paper. He's the 4th one over) I have never seen so much red in my life and I was intimidated at the beginning of the game, but our team took the crowd out of it pretty quick. We all know the outcome, but from someone that was there, it was quite an experience and I wish you could have experienced Lincoln like I did. I won’t forget it anytime soon.

Fight on!

SC Lisa

A Note of Thanks to the Herd

2007-08-30T07:13:00.000-07:00

(Lisa DeLong is the mother of Jakie DeLong, a Trojan fan who we've featured on the Herdblog a few times)

Hello Herd,

Sorry this note is so late in coming. Jacob has been in treatment all week and our daughter has started classes at Orange Coast College so things have been a bit hectic. (photo right: Jacob in white with Lisa in the b.g.) My computer crashed as well so I am borrowing one and it takes a little getting used to. I just wanted to let you know what a wonderful time we had last week at the August 22nd Scrimmage for the USC Trojans.

What a treat to meet the friendly folks who call themselves The Herd, listen to their chanting and as they went on the Herd Walk with the team! There were 28 of us there, all of us touched by childhood cancer one way or another, and all of us brought that perspective with us as we entered through the Peristyle gates of the Coliseum. It was memorable to say the least!

I felt teary as Jacob and his little buddy Ryan ran freely across the field. They danced to the piped in music and tumbled and laughed. Earlier that day Jacob had gone under anesthesia for another lumbar puncture to receive chemotherapy to his spinal fluid. It had been a very long day as most leukemia treatments are, from the confines of the hospital to the freedom of the coliseum and the "Fight On" spirit of the Trojans - wow!

Thank you so much for giving me the courage to make Jacob's request come about. I hope we can we can do this again with a little more time to plan and invite, I think more kids affected by cancer will be able to feel the same "Fight On" spirit as we did.

Thanks again and I hope to send photos soon, Lisa

The Herd Walks with Children's Hospital of Los Angeles Kids

2007-08-26T21:48:00.000-07:00

3 Perspectives on The Trojan/Herd Walk, August 22, 2007

Shorty Clarke writes:

You know those times when you're called to the Principals Office and you're not sure if it's because you did something really good or really bad? (photo right: The CHLA Kids before the Trojan/Herd Walk) That's how I felt when I got an email from the SC Football Office. WHEW! It was an invite for the Herd do the Trojan Walk with the USC Football Team at the night scrimmage on the 22nd of August.

Because it was a free game and because we'd all had such a close connection with Jakie DeLong, I asked HH if some of the CHLA (Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles) kids could walk with us. Dennis Slutak, Dir of Football Operations and Craig Kelly, Asst. Ath. Dir/Marketing both fully embraced the idea. Craig set the wheels in motion. He met the Herd with arm bands at 5:15 and allowed the Herd to be on the field throughout warmups.

The CHLA kids were especially excited when Pete came over to meet and greet them and sign autographs. Angelica Logan through her position at the SC Bookstore, was able to provide hats, pom poms, snacks etc. It was quite a night and as always, it was very special to be a Trojan. Many thanks to Slu, Craig and Pete as well as Brooks, Angelica and GAB for all they did that night.

Brooks Wilson writes:

We met the team at the parking lot and after a couple of spellouts led by Blood and Lawrence we followed the team as they took their customary pre-game walk through the Peristyle, down the steps onto the field where they grouped up and heard a brief message from Coach Carroll and then up the tunnel into the locker rooms. Craig let us stay on the field during the warm-ups and right up to the kickoff.

A great opportunity for pictures. Valley was in 7th heaven. Oh, the game. The team absolutely looks awesome. It's hard to believe they haven't played a game yet. Folks, we have ourselves the best coach in the country. After the game, the players hung around on the field for a long time talking to the fans and giving out autographs.

But the best part of the evening was seeing the little kids from Children's Hospital of Los Angeles who are battling cancer have a break from the fight. Jakie is the only one I knew and he was having a great time. Thanks to the greatest Athletic Department of the greatest university in the world for making this happen. Fight On!

Angelica Logan writes:

Dear Shorty:

I wanted to thanks The Thundering Herd again for making this all happen for Jacob and his friends and family, and the Kids from the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles.

I never got the chance to meet the distinguished gentleman with the worried look on his face (Brooks). I did however have a few Herdmembers come up to me and ask me how I liked the roses that everyone sent me. Again thank you for the roses, once they started to die I hung them upside-down for them to dry. I still have them. (photo right: Jakie on the field for warm-ups)

Thank you again for making me feel like one of the family and inviting my family to join the Herd on the Trojan Walk. I had the pleasure of meeting Amy T. and her twins and look forward to seeing them again at some volleyball game as well as the football games and basketball games.

Thank you Thank You THANK YOU. I look forward to meeting every one soon I'll make sure to have my camera so we can take lots of pictures at the first Game.

Sincerely

Angelica Logan (Angie)
CSR Trojan Bookstore
Course Material

The 2007 Herd Cart Presentation

2007-08-12T08:59:00.000-07:00

A Very Special August 6th, 2007
by Brooks

The 2007 Trojan Football season officially opened Monday, August 6, 2007, at Howard Jones field. The weather couldn’t have been better and many of us feel that it was appropriate for what this edition of Trojan Football promises its faithful fans, many of whom were on hand to watch a team which is in midseason shape.

The opening of the season was particularly enjoyed by many members of the Thundering Herd who were on hand to participate in delivering a beautiful electric cart to Coach Carroll and his football program. Practice started at 5:30 and ended at 7:30. Shorty had delivered the cart, carrying the Thundering Herd Logo to Heritage Hall earlier and as the practice ended, it was driven to the field with no other than the Notre Dame killer, number 28, Anthony Davis as the passenger. Coach Carroll was obviously pleased with the quality of the practice and with the cart. He made a moving acceptance and gave a speech of thanks and gratitude to the Herd. I wish the entire Herd could have been there to witness it. Trust me Herders, Coach Carroll knows and appreciates the Herd...and not just because of the cart. There is no guile in this man.

After the cart was presented, Pete said to the Herd, “Let me say this, you guys from the very beginning, and I’ve probably said this before, but you Herd guys have always been there, and you guys are the real deal…and I’ll never forget what it felt like to have you guys doing what you were doing at a time when we weren’t a whole lot to care about. You’ve stayed so consistent over the time, you guys have brought so much love and so much fun to us just because you love your Trojans, love your team, love your school. Awesome. It really is great. I know who you are. I love that you’ve been here for us, you continue to jump up and do stuff, you guys are always welcome, always welcome to be a part of this, you guys deserve it, earn it, and we love to have you around. Thanks for coming out.”

This may seem maudlin, but from a personal point of view, it was special. I’ve been a rabid fan since 1939 and I have never felt so much a part of Trojan Football. And on game day, when we greet the team and intimidate the opponents, we are a part of it.

Another Cart Story
by Shorty

Earlier in the day I saw the new 2007 Thundering Herd Cart for the first time.

We'd stashed it across Figueroa from campus in a parking lot used by SC Purchasing. The head of purchasing walked me out to it and gave me the keys. 3 hours later, Mojack, Eden and I walked over to get the cart and IT WAS GONE…!!!

We searched the first floor, then the second floor. Half an hour later I remembered it was on the third floor. WHEW! We started it and took turns driving it around campus. We stopped in front of a building and went in for wet towels to wipe the cart clean of the dust that had accumulated the 3 days it sat in the parking garage.

We met up with Brooks and GAB at Tommy Trojan then drove the cart to the parking lot where Brooks had 2 Herd hats. We then drove the cart to HH. Slu's assistant Jared came down and we gave him the keys and arranged for Jared to drive Anthony Davis into the practice just as practice ended. It all went as planned including AD presenting Pete with an autographed copy of the official '73 Rose Bowl poster which featured A Griffin from OSU and AD. Pete broke into the biggest grin and was genuinely amazed at the poster and gesture. The poster is truly a collectors item.

I'll always cherish mine. I may even give Natl Champs his someday. After Pete gave a rousing endorsement to the Herd, Slu took the cart for a ride. He just kept saying "Great Ride, great job Herd." "This will be invaluable with recruiting."

Many thanks to all who participate in whatever way you could. There is NO selfishness in the Herd.

Special Opportunity for the Herd

2007-08-11T22:25:00.000-07:00

A Very Special Trojan Walk

by Shorty

As we've done the last 3 years, the Herd has again been invited to follow the players through the Trojan Walk at this year's summer scrimmage. The full scrimmage/game will be Wednesday night the 22nd of August @ 7pm. But, this year's Walk will be special. Adding to this year's walk is the incredible chance to share the walk and the night with some very sick children.

We are coordinating with a couple of parents about bringing as many as 75 kids and their parentscare givers to the game from the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles (CHLA). SC will save a section in the stands for the Herd and the Kids. The Herd is working with the SC Bookstore through Angelica Logan to provide the kids with Pom Poms and Megaphones at the bookstore's cost. The Herd is also working with a couple of other groups also to provide the kids with more goodies. These are all kids from CHLA's Cancer Ward. Some are residing at the hospital and some are out patients like Jakie DeLong who's story has been chronicled here many times. (http://theuscherd.blogspot.com/2007/03/trojan-heart-and-spirit.html)

As a side note: The SC football team goes to CHLA every year to meet the kids and offer encouagement etc. That annual trip will be Tuesday the 4th of Sept. How exciting for these kids to see the players in action on the 22nd then meet them in person on the 4th.

I can't think of a better Win/Win story than that.

We need one small thing from the Herd: Email me (shortyclarke@gmail.com) no later than Thursday the 16th with the names of those Herders who want to participate in the Walk. Those participating must be willing to meet & greet these great kids. Let's make these folks life long Trojan fans.

Fight On, The Herd

2007 Herd Shirts Ordering & Payment Info

2007-08-05T08:57:00.001-07:00

Herdmembers and Trojan Fans,

It's that time of year. Trojan Football is within 30 days. You have sent us an email stating your interest in pre-ordering a 2007 Herd Shirt. The shirts are currently being manufactured, so if you pre-ordered a shirt or shirts, we will have them in stock for you, and the shirts will be ready for The Thundering Herd to wear around the tunnel area of the Coliseum on September 1st.

As already stated, this year we're selling long sleeve cardinal t-shirts. On the front of the shirt there will be a Herd logo and a designation about "The Herd 2007." On the back of the shirt will be this year's winning slogan, "The Herd: We STAND for Trojan Football."

The long sleeve t-shirts are priced at $25.

Please email: uscherd@gmail.com and gomw@charter.net to reaffirm your order: state the number of shirts you want and the sizes of those shirts. We do not have X-Small for kids. The smallest shirt we have is Men's S.

The ordering info is as follows; please reaffirm your order to the above emails and state if you want to pick up your shirts at the Idaho tailgate or if you want your shirts shipped. If you want your shirts shipped, please include a shipping address and add $5.00 to your order (that $5 is for all shipped orders whether you are ordering 1 shirt or 5 shirts). Please pay by check or by PayPal ASAP. If you use PayPal, please add $2.00 per order (that $2 is for all orders whether you are ordering 1 shirt or 5 shirts).

The payment information is as follows; please write your checks to:

The Thundering Herd
14190 Montclair Ct.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739

To use PayPal: (http://www.paypal.com), please use the Herd's payee email address at gomw@charter.net as the payee address.

Of course you can send in your checks and/or use PayPal and still choose to pick up your shirts at the Idaho tailgate. If you wait to pay for your shirts at the Idaho tailgate, your shirts will not be reserved, and though we have a few hundred new shirts, we will sell all our shirts, so we can't guarantee your shirts and/or sizes will still be available. To ensure that you have reserved a 2007 Herd Shirt, please pay by check or PayPal ASAP.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at USCHerd@aol.com.

Fight On. The Herd

Herder of the Month - July 2007

2007-07-31T20:03:00.001-07:00

Dreaming in Cardinal & Gold
Herder of the Month - SCVince
by Mojack

As the great minds of the world still struggle with the question of what came first, the chicken or the egg, Herdmembers debate whether it was luck or genius or a combination of both that the Herd was brought into existence in the beginning of 2001 before Pete Carroll’s incredible run of success on the football field. Who knew that the Herd would have front row seats for one of the greatest runs of dominance since NCAA football began? Who knew that the Trojans would go to 5 straight BCS games? (photo left: SCVince and son Vinnie) Who knew that the concept of the Herd would continue to grow every year with the Trojans’ success on the field? The answer; nobody. Nobody in 2001 knew what the future held for the Trojans and Pete Carroll and/or the Thundering Herd.

But almost all of the original Herders have held on since the beginning, and they will have some special memories that will never be taken away. Each time we profile another Herder, we learn how the Herd and the Herd Forum and the Trojan games and the Trojan experience have enriched the lives of the Herder, and as they’ve enjoyed the camaraderie and friendships that they’ve fostered through the Herd, seemingly they’ve helped to enrich other Herdmember’s lives and the lives of those around them.

This month’s Herder of the Month, SCVince, regales us with another touching story about USC football and what it’s meant to his life. He tells us about the lifelong friendships he’s shared with USCRick and Father Mike (scpriest), and how they brought him into the Herd, and in so doing, Vince has been able to bring his son Vinnie into this Trojan family by introductng him to a great group of caring yet diehard Trojan fans. It is people like SCVince and Vinnie who make the Herd a special group. True, the Herd has been on a great ride of USC Football dominance, but the ride has been enhanced and enriched by the friendships made in the Herd and especially by getting to know the unique individuals of the Herd. That’s what this is all about, not football success, but football kinship.

I asked Yucca to write a few words about Vince and Yucca wrote back, “When I was running a numbers racket in Santa Fe Springs, Vince was my muscle. Put a ½ inch pipe in his hand, and he can get blood from a turnip. And he’s a great Trojan fan too.”

Brooks followed that up with, “Vince is the epitome of loyalty. He has more longevity as a resident of Santa Fe Springs than any other resident. How many guys do you know who have stayed in the same poverty-stricken town while communities around them jump into the upscale class and into the 21st Century. (joke, insert laugh track here) He has also been a Herd member since the early days. I can't remember him missing a home game. And we know that he will fight for the team. A couple years back, someone in the Herd was floating a banner that the Herd didn't like. I'm not sure but I believe it was saying something negative about the starting quarterback. Vince destroyed the sign. Don't hold me to the details of the confrontation but trust me, there was a confrontation. As it escalated, Vince realized that the guy was quite a bit bigger but Vince went for it. All of a sudden, the guy just kind of collapsed. He kind of collapsed because Vinny, Vince's quiet son collapsed him from the bottom. End of fight. The moral of the story: if you want to take on Vince, make sure Vinny isn't around.”

The moral of this intro is that Vince and Vinny are always around the Herd, and we couldn’t be happier and feel safer. Thanks for being a great Herdmember and Trojan fan Vince. Fight On to our Herder of the Month for July 2007.

How did you became a USC fan?

First off, thanks for selecting me as Herder of the Week. I will try to live up to the lofty standards, but don't hold me to it. Let me start out by saying that the friendships I have found in the Herd are enduring relationships with a strong foundation in Trojan football. Being a Trojan for life is a very true statement, and being a member of the Thundering Herd makes it even more so. It fosters and nourishes our desire to be all that is Trojan. I can't imagine a better way to live as a Trojan than standing with the Thundering Herd. One has to experience it to know it. I'm sure you all know what I mean.

I attended my first USC game at the age of 10. My Sunday school teacher promised he would take us to see a USC game if we finished our assignments. Only three of us in the class got to go. It was 1965 against the cal bears and I remember walking through campus before the game, awestruck by Tommy Trojan and marching with the band over to the Coliseum. Mike Garrett was the star of the game. USC won and I fell in love with the Trojan tradition. From that point forward, I dreamed of going to USC and did all I could to make that dream come true. I grew up in Santa Fe Springs, which is about 17 miles east of USC. Growing up so close to LA, put me in close touch with the USC/ucla rivalry. You were either a Trojan fan or a bruin fan. Back in those days, it was pretty much like it is now. USC dominates football, but ucla dominated basketball. I think we have closed the gap in basketball, and have distanced ourselves from those sonsabitches in football. From the get-go, I hated ucla; but I hated cal first. There has always been something about cal that I have always disliked.

Tell us how you used to support USC, watch games, etc., before you discovered the Herd?

Prior to discovering the Herd, I attended many home and away games, but did not have season tickets. In high school I attended some home games. My parents were friends with Bill Bain Sr. and Bill Bain Jr. was playing for USC at the time. After graduating from SC, I relied on USCRich and the Gutierrez family to get the tickets and I went along for the ride (still do). Rich and I met at USC when we were freshmen students and became immediate friends. His Mom and Dad kind of adopted me into the family. Father Mike was just a little kid back then, but was a big USC fan. Hell, the whole family was USC. Rich Sr. attended USC after World War II and he had season tickets for many years. Rich and I went to every home game as students and made it to some road games. After graduation, we relied on Rich Sr. for tickets. I went to USC during the golden era of USC football, 73 to 78 (same years as MPRon). Rich and I experienced some great Trojan victories, including the comeback victory over Notre Dame and the Shelton Diggs two point conversion to beat OSU in the Rose Bowl. I thought that was as good as it gets until I discovered The Thundering Herd.

Which brings us to how I discovered the Thundering Herd. I believe USCRich was one of the original posters on the old TFO board and I remember him telling me about a group of guys trying to organize a fan support group for Trojan football. Rich told me to go online and check it out, but I was computer illiterate at the time and wrote it off. That was sometime around 1999 or so. Shortly thereafter, I went through a very disheartening and emotional divorce (what divorces aren't) in the year 2000. My brother was murdered in February of that year and my wife divorced me in May. She took the new house in Murrieta and I was exiled back to Santa Fe Springs. Little did I know at the time it was a blessing.

Good ol USCRich came to the rescue. He flew out from Colorado just to make sure I was OK and wouldn't pull a Peter Pan off the Telegraph pedestrian bridge. Rich told me to start attending USC games again. Rich Sr. and his good friend Kenny had season tickets in section 10, just west of the Herd. Father Mike also had season tickets.

What was your first Herd game, and what were your first impressions of the Herd?

In 2001, I attended a few home games compliments of these good friends and that's when I discovered the Thundering Herd. Our seats were close enough to see all the faces. Brooks, Shorty, Mojack, Grover, Deke, Cardinal Blood, Dr. Z, Champs, Yucca, Cowboy and all the other crazies. I just knew I had to be down there. Fr. Mike knew it too. Next game, we walked on down to section 11. It was like walking into one of those open parties in high school. Everyone was having a ball. From that point forward, we had tickets in section 10, but we were standing with the Herd and I realized the Golden Years were here again.

You and your son Vinnie have a special relationship, since in a sense you have USC Football as a very bonding experience to share together. You've also have good friends that you've met at Trojan games and Herdgates? What has the Trojan experience and the Herd experience meant to you?

I have not missed a game since joining the Herd on that wonderful day in 2001, and I have to thank Father Mike for that. You know Michael comes across as an unassuming fun-loving guy, but he has a heart as big as the Coliseum, and he would give you the shirt off his back - even in a Denver blizzard. There was some difficult moments for me in 2001 during my divorce. I could only see Vinson once every other Friday. I would drive to Murietta to visit him for one hour, then drive back to Santa Fe Springs. I got to take him to two football games that year, and both games were with the Herd. The most memorable was the cal game when we were down by 21 and came back to win. Yucca got thrown out and got back in. Cowboy gloated over in the cal section after the game. It was one of those magical USC games, and what made it so special, Vinnie was with me - and he has been with me ever since. I got custody of Vinson when he turned 14 (in 2004) and we have experienced some great Trojan moments together - not only the great games, but the friendships and the family that is The Thundering Herd.

I would like to thank all members of the Herd for helping to bind and nourish the relationship with my son. There are memories that will last forever. I can't think of a better way to spend time with your son than with the Herd watching Trojan football. Special thanks to the Gutierrez family for helping me out when I was at the end of my rope.

There are a few seminal Herd moments from Pete Carroll coming up into the stands, to Desmond Reed and Thomas Williams pointing us out. There have been great road game experiences. Great tailgate experiences; seeing the Tree kick Yucca's ass. Share with us some personal moments of glory you've had as a Herd member; watching, participating, instigating, etc.

OK - let's touch upon some lighter moments during this time of rediscovery. The Auburn game in Alabama comes to mind. Yucca, Fr. Mike, Joe, and Yucca's buddy from Atlanta and I got plastered all to the dismay of USCRich. After finding out that Rich wouldn't let us take the rental van, Mike proceeded to flag down the nearest cabbie. We ran into Yucca and his buddy and took another cab to Buckhead. We found a bar loaded with Trojans and partied all night. I don't remember getting back to the hotel, but Rich was pissed. Don't mess with Rich on gameday. He expects everyone up and ready to go. It's like being in the armed forces. Everyone has an assignment and you better do it.

You think I would've learned my lesson after the Colorado/Kansas St. back-to-back road trip. USCRich hosted the Colorado tailgate. There's nothing like a road game to bring Herders together, partying in a hostile environment. I found an old Trojan, Vinnie Van Dyke and brought him and his wife over to our post-game tailgate. Got to know Shorty really well. Rich Sr. got to know JoeSC pretty well after a heated policital discussion. After Colorado, it was on to Kansas St. This is where I learned my lesson not to even try to match drinks with Fr Mike. We found a bar in Manhattan KS serving $1 pitchers. Don't remember the rest. I do remember partying with Greekpete and his family and the Mean Farmer.

Fr. Mike, Joe and I made the Oregon St. fog bowl trip, but we got a little sidetracked on the way. Joe has a cousin who lives in Dunsmiur, so we decided to pay her a visit. We found the nearest watering hole somewhere in the town of Mt. Shasta and cozied up to the bar. There was a band playing live music and this cute blond saddles up and asks me if I want to have a good time. "Sure"! Next thing I know we are in her car driving towards the middle of nowheresville when she starts asking me how much money I have. I asked her if she was still thirsty and then realized she wanted me to pay her for XXX. I politely declined, so the biatch threw me out of her car on a dark night in the woods. I called Mike - no answer, he never answers. I called Joe and he says "where'd you go?" I told him what happened. While walking, I found a veterinarian's residence. Joe's cousin knew where that was (about two miles away) and they came to get me. So I'm walking down the road in the middle of nowhere and Mike comes driving up with Joe's cousin. He is driving on a flat tire. I told him, "Hey Mike, you have a flat tire". He tells me to shut up and get in. Now Mike has pounded down at least a couple pitchers and sure enough as we're driving back through town, we get pulled over. Cop wants to know why he is driving on a flat tire, asks him if he has been drinking - anyway, we got away with a warning. At that point, I knew we would beat OSU, but what a wierd trip, fog and all.

OK, I was asked if I was there when the Stanford tree kicked Yucca's ass. Yes, I was there and I helped Brooks get Yucca released - so to speak. That damn tree was completely out-of-control. Lawrence had just led a SoCal spellout right at the time the stanford band was coming down the street in front of our tailgate. The tree was bounding into people and actually knocked over a girl. Vinnie and I were throwing the football. I was getting ready to bounce the football off the back of the tree's head when I see Yucca grab one of tree branches and try to tear it off. All hell breaks loose. Some other dude comes over and starts beating on Yucca while he is being held by the tree. A pure case of intentional thuggery. The cops come over and handcuff Yucca. I start telling the cops that the tree instigated the whole incident. The cop was looking at me in disbelief until Brooks came over to corroborate my story. I guess Brooks appears more believable than me. Cop let Yucca go. First thing Yucca does is walk over to the cooler and grab a beer.

Here is the controversial question. You are a member of Section 13. Some of you Section 13ers revel in your false pride of actually being the Herd rebels, like you're just a little bit more edgy and hardcore than the Original Herders in Section 11. Tell us a little about a typical Section 13 Herder. Give us some insight into that twisted mentality of the Secton 13ers. Tell us about the rumblings of jealousy you hear when Section 13ers are peering across that tunnel to the promised land of Section 11.

Now for the controversial question asked by Mojack. It seems there is a rumor going on that Section 13 Herders carry a subtle jealousy towards Section 11 Herders - that Section 13 Herders are a bit more rebellious and rowdy than those in section 11. Well, to tell the truth - you section 11 types are nothing but a bunch of wussies, WLP's as Trojan Odyssey would have it, and I will tell you why. For the years prior to last season, we had to fight off the fans in the visiting section 14. Those twerps from cal, ucla asu, osu, etc. have given us a hardened, take-no-prisoners attitude. We have to defend the wall from these marauders every game, with no reinforcements from section 11 during incursions from our most hated enemies, cal and ucla. In fact, I almost got arrested for defending the wall against one of these imposters dressed as a Trojan. Another problem we have in section 13 is the Herd wannabes. They come dressed as Trojans and they stand in our hallowed ground, but they don't come to the tailgates and are just not with it most of the time. (photo below right: The Section 13ers) As far as jealousy, yes I do admit we are jealous of our brothers in 11. We feel like the stepchildren over in 13. All of the big-shots and shot callers and famous Herders reside in 11. Names like Brooks, Valley Trojan, Shorty, Mojack, Cardinal Blood, Deke, Rex, The Springers, Trojan Russ, Grover, JoeSC, Cowboy, Jeff and Cathy, Gary and Shara, SCGary, SCLisa - to name a few. How do we rate with all those famous people. We have guys like Yucca, SCPriest, Joe, Cedrick, Tazz, Gary, Dr. Z, Greekpete, TrojanWarrior - not your famous types. We'll get over it.

You've been a pretty consistent contributor to the Herd Forum over the years. True, you're not Brooks with 40,000 irrelevant posts, but it seems when you have something you want to say, you're there to add to the discussion. Give us some thoughts on this internet culture, and how the message board introduced you to this group you now belong to, and what it means to you when you wake up and check that message board on a regular basis?

Funny how you mention the Herd message board and how it effects our lives. Man, that is the first thing I read every morning. Even before checking my e-mail at work. I have a home-based office so I can get backed up real quick if I spend too much time on the forum, but I do have my priorities in order - that being Trojan football. In fact, the Herd forum has changed the whole landscape of how I root for USC football, which is everyday. The season never ends. We readily have a forum to discuss our concerns, fears, desires and of course, relish in our victories, which have been many. We are extremely fortunate to have a forum like this to nurture our group and keep everyone in touch. Gratitude to the likes of Mojack, Brooks and Shorty who spend countless hours keeping up the board and volunteering much of their time making the Herd Forum the first stop of every morning and the last stop of every evening. I'm going to help Brooks out this year transporting and setting up some of the fixtures for our tailgates and being his gofer. It's the least I could do for all the Herd has done for me. So let's all remember, true Trojans never say die. WE BELIEVE. And I don’t want to forget to thank Errol and Grover for all their hard work as our chefs.

Finally, what do you see for the Herd as it moves forward? And what are your final thoughts about your Herd experience?

As the Herd moves forward, I expect the numbers to continue to grow, but that will also be contingent on our continued success on the football field. That will create more work for those in charge of the Herd and we will need more help in that area. I envision all of Section 11 and 13 loaded with the diehard Trojans fans of the Thundering Herd, standing and yelling from the first snap to the last. Thanks and Fight On.

Funny Story About Bill Walsh and Me (Brooks)

2007-07-30T20:25:00.000-07:00

They Call Me Bill W. (Walsh)
by Brooks

I was living in Davis, California when he was coaching the 49ers. The Davis area was either a Raider town or a 49ers town depending on who was winning (that's how deep NoCal fans are). In 84 (circa), the 49ers were on top of the world. It was before I retired all my drinking trophies.

My friend, a huge guy, bought a white sweater with a small 49er monogram on it. Only it was too small so he gave it to me. I hated the 49ers (still do) but it was a very nice sweater and I had had a bad year in the can salvage business and wasn't turning down anything free (especially drinks).

Anyway, I was out late doing the bar tour and I stopped for one for the road (about 2 miles from home)at this local hangout in Davis. There were only a few patrons and I sat at the bar. I had the 49er sweater on - mainly because I looked devastating handsome in it - not because of any affection for that team. It was a Saturday night and the UC Davis football team had a home game earlier. As fate would have it, Walsh's kid was a receiver for the Aggie football team. The bartender remarked, as he served me, "here to watch your kid play, coach?" I gave him blank stare and said something intelligent like, Huh? The bartender looked a trifle uneasy and wiped some imaginary foreign from the bar and said, "you ARE coach Walsh, aren't you?" Then it all came together for me.

I took a deep swallow while I planned my response. I followed pro ball then and realized that the 49ers were out of town that weekend. A fact that even this bozo would realize in a while. I didn't always make good choices in those days when I was, er..out, but I've always had this razor like humor and I really wanted to use this hanging curve. Sooo, I said, uh, actually, I'm Bill's brother and I scout for him and we're very interested in one of the Aggie players. I remember thinking, "what if he asks me who...I didn't know the name of one single player on the team other than Walsh's kid. Fortunately, he didn't ask.

I had a couple of drinks on the house and beat it, telling myself that I could never go to that bar again because surely this guy would find out that Walsh never had a brother. There were only a few bars in Davis and I had just eliminated one.

I pretty much forgot about the incident. In fact, Sunday morning, I pretty much forgot about Saturday night.

There was this high class restaurant over in Vacaville, right off I-80 and when I wanted to make my bride happy, I would take her over there for an over-priced steak dinner. It was a combination bar restaurant with a little more bar than most dinner houses have. The eating area and the bar area were open to each other. We went over there one night (Saturday)and I was wearing the white sweater (looking pretty good, if I do say so myself). We ordered and were eating our salad when the cocktail waitress walked up with a drink. She said it's on (said his name) over there and pointed to him. He waived and walked over. "How you doing coach, he asked." I was on my first drink and didn't want to eliminate any more watering holes so, I told him that I wasn't coach Walsh. (photo left: Bill Walsh talking to SCVince and Vinnie) He winked at me and said he wouldn't blow my cover and walked away. It wasn't his first drink. When we finished our dinner, I had taken on a little more bad judgment and we left. On the way out, the guy hailed me and said good luck tomorrow (the 49ers were in town). So, not wanting to spoil his story for the next day, I replied something like, no luck necessary, a piece of cake. I know it is wrong but I had a warm fuzzy.

The only problem is that the guy was a regular and every time we ate there, he bought me a couple of drinks. Finally, dreading the day that he sobered up and found out I couldn't possibly be Bill Walsh, I quit eating over there. So, my mendactity, as innocent as it was, cost me another watering hole. You can fool some of the people some of the time and drunks all the time but you can fool all of the sober people all of the time.

Catching Up with Mark Raab, Starting LongSnapper '90-'91.

2007-07-15T11:46:00.000-07:00

True Grit
The Herdblog Interview with Mark Raab
by Mojack

At the Herdblog, we’ve had some great opportunities to get to know some players that aren’t necessarily in the spotlight as much as other Trojan heroes. The walk-ons who have won scholarships, the back-up QBs who have great stories to tell about their moments of glory as they were called to step in and take over the reins of the starting QB, and some oldtimers who bring a different perspective to the internet age of recruiting and of publicity. We’ve never interviewed a walk-on long snapper though who was the John Wayne Scholarship recipient though. That would be Mark Raab, a former walk-on who won a scholarship and was the long snapper in one of USC’s most infamous games, the 1990 shootout between USC and UCLA at the Rose Bowl. As Mark remembers later in the interview, “Ah yes, ... the 1990 shootout. You know, as the long-snapper I take extra pride and joy in that game. Sure, there were like 6 TD's in the 4th Qtr. and it was an icon-forming game for Marinovich and Maddox ... but, the difference in the game? ... a FG! ... 45-42. So, I played an integral part in that victory - along with Quin Rodriguez and Pat O'Hara ... it's what makes football the greatest team sport ever created.”

What a story Mark has not only about being a part of that game, but being a Trojan and his efforts to become a scholarship player in a storied football program. Ray Weber, former TCSD President, helped set up this interview with Mark, and Ray said about Mark, “The Trojan Club of San Diego always hope to have participation at our Events from past USC Athletes and when past USC football players come forward, it's really tremendous! Duane Bickett has given so very much to our Club for almost 10 years now, especially since his retirement from the NFL. Ralph Pucci, Joe Palen, Hank Slade and Ron Fletcher , just to name a few others are current regulars at our Events too! It was a real pleasure to get to know past San Diegan, Mark Raab, a long snapper, from those teams in the early 90's (Larry Smith era). Mark attended many of our Events and then a job transfer took him to Texas. He is a real gentleman, a fine representative of USC and always willing to help in a good cause. San Diego's loss was Texas' gain and Mark knows that he's always welcome to come back to any of our Events, at any time! He's a real pro and a credit to the Trojan family and we all miss him and hope for the best for the Raab Family! Fight On Mark.”

The USCHerdblog interview with Mark Raab follows. As Ray Weber said, “Fight On, Mark!” We appreciate your time and effort in giving us this look into your USC experience.

You prepped at Helix High School in San Diego. What was your high school experience like. We know you walked on at USC. Did you have other scholarship offers at other schools and was USC just a dream for you? Skipping ahead a few years, what was it like to be an alumni of the school that also produced Alex Smith and Reggie Bush? And on a lighter note, do you have any real estate connections in the San Diego area?

As a high school player, oddly enough I was the biggest guy on my team - at 6'2" 225 ... so, I played Center, Off. Tackle, and Def. End. I was recruited by smaller schools across the country, mostly for being an athlete with excellent grades (Ivy league schools and the like). I knew I didn't want to stay in San Diego for college, so when I went and visited USC for the 1st time - that did it for me ... Bovard auditorium, Tommy Trojan, Heritage Hall, that whole collegiate feel. That sealed it.

As a Helix alum, I actually watched Reggie (and Alex) play ... My niece went to rival Monte Vista, and I recall sitting on the Monte Vista side of the stands, talking to my buddy (also a Helix and 'SC alum) and standing up and shouting in amazement at Reggie's exploits (the Monte Vista folks didn't care too much for that - plus, I had the friendly wagers going with my niece)- and this was BEFORE he became a Trojan. I'd never seen anything like what he was doing on the football field - vision, speed, balance, quickness, ... well, we all know now. [Good luck on that front - real estate; sheesh, I never should've sold my house there when I moved here.]

Can you do a brief recap of your career for us?

'87 - '91 ... starting long snapper in '90 and '91. Graduated in '91 and was the John Wayne Memorial Scholarship recipient. Played a couple games for the Redskins in '92 and '93. Then, filled in for a game for the Chargers in '98.

You played alongside some of the players we've done past Herdblog interviews with specifically Shane Foley and fullback Tim Lavin. Do you have any stories on them that they didn't share with us? Who were some of your other teammates? Do you still keep in touch and involved in each other's lives?

No real stories beyond what they shared ... I do vividly remember the first time Lavin and I got to play - in the '89 season blowout of Utah State. I thought I was sky high getting to play - but, I thought Lavin was going to give himself an aneurysm. It was awesome.

I still run into former teammates at games or random places. Living in Texas doesn't afford me the frequency as Southern California; but, there are several former teammates in the Dallas area (Keith Davis, Bruce Luizzi, Michael Williams). Other teammates were Rodney Peete (couldn't echo Lavin's sentiments more - a true class act!!!), Don Gibson (great guy - not fun having to go against him in practice every day for 3, 4 years ...), Dan Owens, Tim Ryan, Dave Cadigan, Scott Galbraith, Leroy Holt, Steve Webster (another Helix alum), Curtis Conway, Tony Boselli, Willie McGinest, Mark Carrier (another top notch guy), Matt Gee, Pat Muldoon (another walk-on), etc. Then, from my class, ... Pat Harlow, Matt Willig, Junior Seau, Calvin Holmes, Ricky Ervins, Scott Lockwood, Mike Moody, Marvin Pollard, too many to name. And, of course, my kickers, punters, and holder ... Quin Rodriguez, Ron Dale, and Pat O'Hara.

In your email signature, you note that you qualified yourself as a "walk on." Can you share what that experience is like to walk onto a major Division 1 school especially a USC which has such a tradition of football greatness. Did you assume you'd make the team, hope to make the team, and when you were awarded a scholarship what was that feeling like?

It was a strange experience, I'll tell you that much. It seems like I knew more about college football BEFORE high school, then, when you're in high school, you get all caught up in your own world. So, heading into college, I was extremely unaware and naive of the whole experience. And, yes, I was very nervous and excited about 'trying out' in hopes of making the team. I remember Day 1 ... checking into Fluor Tower, then heading to our first meeting, Mike Moody and another player ... both 6' 6", 300+ ... and saying "are you guys Seniors ? ... nope. Freshman." Oh, great! ...

The adrenaline (and using fear as a motivator - fear of failure, fear of getting annihilated, etc.) definitely got me through the first Fall Camp.

However, I distinctly remember, after an especially tough practice in September, Marcus Cotton saying to me "Man, ... there's no way in Hell I'd put up with all this bullshit if I wasn't on scholarship. I don't know how you do it man" ...I just shrugged it off. I didn't know any differently. I hadn't been coddled or ever given superstar treatment; so I didn't know.

One of the greatest things about football is the camaraderie - ... the antagonism, field fights, laughing at each other, etc. Brandon Bowlin - being a legit comedian, always had us bustin up ... and almost always at the expense of another teammate. If you show weakness or sensitivity - that just brought you more crap. It was great. Scott Galbraith was a big talker and often right in the middle of the 'smack' talk and banter. He and I used to go at it quite a bit - and it only motivated me more. He would tell me "you're never gonna see the field walk-on, you should just quit." I would banter back about him being a waste of talent and how he wished he was as smart as me. All in good teammate ridicule fun.

He played for the Cowboys when I was with the Redskins, and I've bumped into him at the airport or at a game, ... and it's nothin but hugs and well wishes and all that. You can't replace those kinds of battle bonds. The brotherhood so to speak. There's nothing else like it.

Being awarded the scholarship was definitely one of my happiest and most proud moments of my life - the epitome of "earning" something you put everything you had into - the blood, sweat, tears and toil. And one of the coolest parts of getting the scholarship was how fired up my teammates were too ... Pat Harlow, Matt Gee, James Wilson, Raoul Spears, my fellow walkons - Tim Lavin, Marc Preston, ... it was awesome.

You played for Larry Smith. What did you like and dislike about his coaching style? He made some famous quotes, to paraphrase, that "USC isn't what it used to be, and players don't come to the school just because of its traditions anymore." If I remember correctly, Smith was a very good game coach, but he didn't like to recruit or didn't do well recruiting and that was his downfall. Can you elaborate on Coach Smith?

Coach Smith was a disciplinarian (at least initially). I didn't have any issue with that, because I'd never had a "player's coach" - like Robinson or PC. I think he accomplished a majority of what was expected of him - run a tight ship and field a competitive squad. It just didn't have that 'SC aura.

My personal opinion was that Coach Smith was a master coach of the underdog. The 'hunker down', work harder, and beat the odds of everyone saying what you CAN'T do (look at the first few years, the 'expectations' were low, and we 'over-achieved' by some). But, that success was so immediate (the '88 squad, #2, and undefeated until the final regular season game, ... with the best defense in the country). The problems mounted when he lost control of the primadonnas. From '89 and into '90, he allowed a couple star players to not have to go through the regimen like the rest ... and that seemed fine when the W's were piling up ... but, when a couple losses hit ... and he tried to 'reel them back in' to the rigidity - it backfired and got all messed up. And some divisiveness set in.(see #7 for more on this).

A lot of Trojan fans and Herdmembers enjoy the open practices of the Pete Carroll tenure. Pete encourages fan interaction with the players and coaches, and Pete has especially embraced the Herd. What were Smith's practices like, and how did Larry Smith interact with Trojan fans in general?

Pete is the King!!! ... He's all tempo and enthusiasm; and it's him being him ...

Our practices were just your basic intense practices, with ebbs and flows to the tempo, very structured - with 'periods' and a horn blowing every few minutes signaling the next task.

I didn't really observe Coach Smith's interactions. He was a nice guy with the greatest intentions. He wasn't all that personable - which I don't think is uncommon, especially from his coaching breeding ground - the MidWest ... with the likes of Bo and Woody being the revered legends; staunch; disciplined; singularly focused, etc.

I do know that PC has a remarkable ability to give you that brief moment, where he makes you feel like there's nobody else around, and it's all about your question, photo op, autograph, whatever, ... as he works the crowds. [Specifically, I took my sons to the Huddle, and when the mob crowd ambush is on, PC gives each person that brief uninterrupted moment, with direct eye contact, and all that ... making sure you got what you came for ... then, reasonably, move on to the next. It's amazing to watch.]

You were on a team that won the Rose Bowl in 1989, lost the John Hancock Bowl to Michigan State in 1990, and then went 3-8 with that bad 1991 team. Jeff Kopp just shared with us how he was a freshman in 1991, and here he thinks he's going to go to Rose Bowls every year to play Michigan, and that first game of 1991 USC lost to Memphis State. What was it like to go from winning the Rose Bowl to losing in the John Hancock Bowl to finally going 3-8 your senior season?

Talk about a let down. That season was surreal - we couldn't believe it as we went through; it didn't seem possible. But, I'll tell everybody, the ''91 squad was no less talented than any of the previous ... '91 had Boselli, McGinest, Conway, etc. ... that stacks up well against Peete, Seau, Carrier and the earlier years ('87, '88). The 1 element that separated those teams - was TEAM. The ' 91 team became very individualistic, the previous squads were focused on the goals, as a team, regardless of who accomplished what ... some of it may have been coaching, but, some of it definitely had to do with the players - and leadership. Rodney, Dan Owens, Tim Ryan, and Carrier were the leaders and set the tempo and expectations by basically being selfless and great teammates. The later squads, we were just as 'bonded' by cause (football causes you to 'stick together' or quit), but not so much ON THE FIELD (ironic, you'd think on the field would display the trust and bond and comraderie more than OFF, but that wasn't the case in '91). It was extremely frustrating to say the least (all those cliches about 'talent', 'hard work', 'commitment', etc.).

We know that today there is far more media saturation, and that Carson, Matt and Reggie were mega superstars compared to Rodney Peete's Heisman campaign. What is the difference to you about today's college athlete and the media? And how big do you think a guy like Rodney Peete or Marinovich with that great 1990 UCLA game would be in the internet age?

It's pretty cool how huge these guys can become through the media and internet now ...It's the best time of your life, to be able to capitalize on a mega scale ... makes it celebrity!

Oh man, Rodney Peete would've been Matt and Reggie combined! ...

Think about his main 'national' competitors were Troy Aikman (who got his share of attention) and Barry Sanders (who is 'quiet' person). Rodney's personality and field exploits, plus the success of the team ... WHOA! - he would've been a MEGA Star! ... not like he wasn't already BMOC.

You've seen the Trojans go on major streaks against their rivals the last few years, the 2006 UCLA game doesn't need to be included in this conversation. What was it like to play against UCLA and Notre Dame? You lost all your games to Notre Dame. What did that feel like? What does it feel like now as a fan as USC is on a five game winning streak against Notre Dame? And conversely, what was the 1990 game like between USC-UCLA? The Marinovich-Morton shootout? What a classic.

Man ... there's nothing like that 1st time walking through the tunnel for either of those games ... '87 ... vs. ugla for the Pac-10 championship. The capacity crowd (95K then), the electricity in the air ... I remember it like it was last year - not 20 years ago! And, going 3-1-1 against them wasn't too shabby either (loved the local bragging rights). As for ND ... sheesh ... what can you say ... those games were all about National acclaim, nat'l prominence, kings of college football, and historical and legendary stature.

Not to mention we got hosed in 3 of those 5 games ... decided by 4 pts each! ...28-24, 10-6, and 24-20 ... UGH!!!

28-24 ... 1989 ... South Bend ... we're in control ... momentum changer to start the 2nd half: we got a HORRIFIC call/spot on a 3rd down conversion, momentum changes, we lose.

10-6 ... the 5-yard line ... 4 straight incompletions ... DAMN!

24-20 ... South Bend ... game winding down, onside kick ... everyone scrambling ... refs don't know who or where the ball is ...
... Marvin Pollard comes running out of the pile with it - towards our sideline ... we're stoked! ...
"ND Ball!" ... "WTF!!!" ...
So, yeah ... PAINFUL.

Fortunately, with the PC era dominance ... it makes it all the sweeter ... And being there (my 1st trip to ND since playing) for "4th and 9" - WOW!!!

Ah yes, ... the 1990 shootout. You know, as the long-snapper I take extra pride and joy in that game. Sure, there were like 6 TD's in the 4th Qtr. and it was an icon-forming game for Marinovich and Maddox ... but, the difference in the game? ... a FG! ... 45-42.

So, I played an integral part in that victory - along with Quin Rodriguez and Pat O'Hara ... it's what makes football the greatest team sport ever created. I can't think of anything individualistic in football - a game-winning kick requires a good snap and hold, the game-winning pass, requires the catch, the TD run - the blocks ... a sack, fumble, or INT ... your D teammates causing disruption to free you up. It's awesome!

I love it when they play that game back on ESPN Classic ... my kids get a kick out of it too ... they bleed Cardinal & Gold obviously.

We haven't interviewed a long snapper yet. Give us some inside knowledge of that position. Did you snap for field goals and punts or just punts? What's the different in technique, the snap, the blocks for field goals compared to punts? What's the pressure like? Did you ever make any bad snaps in crucial situations? And if so, what did your teammates or coaches say, and how did you feel about that error? And did you snap in any last minute situations? What was that pressure like?

Both punts and FG's ... technique-wise, the difference is w/ FG's it's just an upper body quick snap - you don't want to get your legs and back into it - it's too risky and unnecessary for the holder. The punt snap - that's a swift motion of legs, back, and follow-through.

And the only reason I ever started snapping was way back in Pop Warner - as a means to get to be on Punt coverage - to try for that dream/fantasy kill shot or fumble recovery ... and the snapping part just came naturally to me.

As for the pressure, ... it's just like a kicker: self-imposed! Because you know you're not afforded the luxury of making a mistake like regular position players. I was fortunate to only have had 1 bad snap during a game in my career - it happened to be the final game too.

But, I did screw up in practice. In fact, my soph year during The Huddle at the Coli ...I was competing for the starting job ... 1st snap - flawless (crisp, tight spiral, thigh-high) ... virtually unnoticed (a great thing). Second snap ... different story. Ball at the 35 ... landed at the 5 yard line (little too much adrenaline; and holding it too long) ...Coach Smith yells:: "DAMMIT RAAB! ... You get your shot and you're pissin up a rope!!!" ... not fun. Of course, my teammates affectionately nicknamed me 'Launch Pad' ... which lasted a while.

As for that 1 bad snap in a game ... '91, Senior year, final game, ugla ... I'm jacked! - sky high of all the emotion of final game, etc. 1st snap ... I knew it was trouble as I released it ... it sailed 2.5 to 3 feet above Ron Dale's head ... Some how, some way, he climbs the ladder, and snatches it with his fingertips - and gets it off ... I could hear the 95,000 GASP (usually you don't hear the crowd, everything just becomes a blur for a second). As I come off the sideline, all Coach Smith said was "Ron saved your ass ... now CALM DOWN! and do what you're supposed to do!" Overall though, to deal with the pressure, I just use fear as the great motivator - fear of failure ... to lock in to the focus needed to block everything else out and do your job.

What did you have to do to become the John Wayne Scholarship recipient? Can you give us a little background on that? Too bad (or maybe its a good thing) that it's a written interview or I could ask you to do your John Wayne impersonation for us.

The John Wayne scholarship goes to the graduating senior with the highest GPA - it's something I coveted from my freshman year; something I felt I had total control over. I used the scholarship to pay for my MBA at SDSU. {I used to have an impersonation ... but that's way outdated now.}

What did you do after you graduated from USC? What are you doing now? Did you have any thoughts of a career in football? Playing? Coaching?

After graduation I worked for Ace Parking in San Diego - running various hotel parking operations. I did that for 5 years. While doing that, I did pursue opportunities to snap in the NFL. I yo-yo'd back and forth with the Redskins in '92 and '93 ... playing in the final 2 regular season games of '93. Coaching changes quickly changed all that. Then, in '98, still in San Diego, ... the late Wayne Sevier - who was my special teams coach with the Redskins - was with the Chargers when their long snapper - David Binn - hurt his shoulder; and I played against the Seahawks. All those experiences were surreal ... snapping for Darren Bennett, John Carney, the late Reggie Roby, etc. - and hanging out with Charles Mann and other great players.

My focus all along was the 'corporate' life ... being a "businessman". In hindsight, I really feel like I missed my calling - Coaching. I'm still ridiculously passionate about football, and sports in general, and helping kids develop their skills. I've done some charitable work coaching snappers; and now coach my youngest son in flag football; and, it's only served to stoke the fire to want to coach. However, responsibilities got my attention early on, and I was never prepared to 'start from scratch' ... but who knows.

For the past 10 years, I've been with AT&T (Pacific Bell, SBC, now AT&T). I started in San Diego, and relocated for work to Northern Cal, then back to San Diego, and now Texas ... yes, Texas. I've been in the North Dallas area for almost 3 years now ...

We've heard that you are living in Dallas now? What's it like to be a Trojan in Longhorn country? How uncomfortable has it been after January 4th, 2006?

Well ... FORTUNATELY ... I moved here in the Fall of '04 ... already well into 'the streak' ... so, Trojan football had plenty of respect. Then, going undefeated in '04 and demolishing OU at the Orange Bowl got rave reviews from Longhorn fans. But, yes, ... after that game, it was not fun. The folks here believe football was born, and dies, in Texas - and some of the South (they do respect the SEC); but, that's it! It's sad to hear them talk talk talk ... I definitely hold my own in the battle of boasting about great football; but, it's an ongoing debate about teams. I absolutely love the sports-mania here though ... everyone is passionate about something; whether it's basketball, baseball, hockey, volleyball, gymnastics, swimming ... it's all huge in Texas - with Football being King! (as it should be ... LOL) ...

Finally, can you sum up your feelings about your time at USC, about being a part of Trojan football history, and of your feelings about the Trojan family?

"FIGHT ON!" That's the best way to describe it ... USC and the Trojan family is very real and a huge part of my life, who I am, "how I roll", etc.

It's a bond that stands the test of time - and creates instant comraderie where-ever I go - that's what I love most ... you run into another Trojan outside of SoCal ... and you 'just know' - you have that common thread of knowing what it's all about - that you walked the same paths, ate the same food, shared the same joys and pains (regardless of era), Tommy Trojan, the whole thing!

And, the older I get, the more meaningful it grows - because as life evolves and things constantly change around you, there are very few constants - family and lifelong friends; thus, the Trojan Family is a constant.

Again, ... FIGHT ON!!!

Herd Auction - Autographed Rod Sherman Jersey

2007-07-14T10:15:00.000-07:00

Current Bid: $150 July 18, 2007

Just in case you missed the first auction, the Thundering Herd is proud to offer another auction – which is being conducted to offer support of the Herd’s fundraising efforts for a new cart for the USC football team.

Up for auction for the highest bidder is a brand spanking new 1964 reproduction football jersey, designed and made as close to the original as possible – autographed by Rod Sherman.

This item is a personal donation to the Thundering Herd from a collection of one of the members of the Herd.

Bid competitively and show support for your football team.

November 1964 – the undefeated Fighting Irish came into The Coliseum, led by their quarterback, Heisman Trophy winner John Huarte. Only the Trojans stood between Notre Dame and another National Championship.

The Irish had control of the game. At halftime, they led 17-0.

Late in the game with their chances running out, the Trojans pulled to within striking range. With about a minute and a half left in the game, McKay’s Trojans had the ball on the Irish 15 yard line. On 4^th down, split end Rod Sherman went to his coach with a play.

84-Z Delay.

Quarterback Craig Fertig was buried by defenders as he fired the ball towards the Irish goal line. Rod Sherman caught it at the 3 and spun into the end zone!

TROJANS – 20
CRYIN’ IRISH – 17

Please email your bids to USCHerd@aol.com. The Auction will close on Monday, July 23rd. Fight On.

Catching Up with Greig Carlson

2007-06-24T21:00:00.000-07:00

Walking with History
An Interview with Greig Carlson, 2001-2005
by Mojack

When I was going to write this introduction about Greig Carlson, the former USC wide receiver, who walked on to the USC football field at a very opportune time in USC’s football history, I remembered I had mentioned Greig’s name when I introduced a Herdblog interview with former USC fullback Tim Lavin, who also walked-on at USC (http://theuscherd.blogspot.com/2007/02/catching-up-with-tim-lavin-usc-fullback.html).

In the introduction of that article, I wrote, “Every college football fan has had that fantasy, I should’ve walked on the football team. Yeah, maybe I could’ve somehow, through all my hard work and efforts, saw the field on a kickoff or on special teams. I could’ve made a game-saving tackle or picked up a fumble and ran it into the end zone. I could’ve been a hero, I could’ve been somebody. “Any football coach will tell you that walk-ons represent the backbone of every team," said Steve Berman, an attorney representing players denied scholarships in a lawsuit filed in the state of Washington in 2004. Walk-ons practice just as hard as the scholarship players (if not harder), lift weights, study film, and they’re doing it while paying their way through school. Some of the favorite Trojans of the recent era; Collin Ashton, Greig Carlson and Mario Danelo were walk-ons to USC who earned scholarships.”

And luckily Herdmember Dipwad Ed is friends with the Carlson family and was able to get Greig to agree to do an interview with the Herdblog. After the arrangements had been made, I told TroBob that I was doing an interview with Greig Carlson, and TroBob emailed me back, “I loved Greig's attitude. He was an ultimate team player, who worked hard and did his job on the football field as he was asked to do it. On his punt returns, he always made sure that he caught the ball and did not make mistakes. Greig seemed to save his best returns for the big games as well. He had good returns against Notre Dame and Iowa in very important games.”

Not to belittle any achievements of USC walk-ons in the past or those to come in the future, but not many have had the college football experience that Greig Carlson has had. He came in the USC at the opportune moment, as stated above, in the year of 2001, which was Pete Carroll’s first year and coincidentally the first year of the Herd. In Greig's tenure with the Trojans, he was a member of the traveling squad that lost to Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl, and his career ended with the devastating loss to Texas on January 4^th, 2007. Between those two losses, Greig was a part of a NCAA football team that almost made NCAA history. (photo left: Greig and Dipwad) He was a member of two national championship football teams, on teams that won three (3) straight BCS games, and he played with three (3) Heisman trophy winners. Not many college football players have that level of accomplishments to list on their resume, and even fewer were walk-ons who earned a scholarship.

We are proud of Greig Carlson and his achievements as fellow Trojans and Trojan fans, and we greatly appreciate that he has given us the time to do this Herdblog interview. Fight On, Greig.

You prepped at the infamous Taft High School. What was your high school experience like? You walked on at USC. Did you have other scholarship offers at other schools and was USC just a dream for you?

My High school experience was good. I played with a lot of talent and learned good football from a good coach. (photo right: Greig and his younger bro Patrick) I played at Taft for three years and then I finished up with my Sr. year at Pacific Palisades. I walked on at SC because my coach at Palisades knew Norm Chow and Chow invited me to walk on. I also wanted to stay in LA. I had no scholarship offers my Sr. year. SC was never a favorite school of mine growing up but it is now.

In the past decade, Taft has sent six players to play for the Trojans including yourself: Gregg Guenther, Brandon Hance, Steve Smith, Jamere Holland and now Malcolm Smith. What is it about Taft that qualifies it as a Division 1 football factory, and what is it about USC that intrigues so many Taft players?

I guess you have to give all the credit to Coach Starr at Taft and the football program he put together. I went to some coaches in the off-season and worked on different skills. Travis Hannah of USC and Steve Clarkson ran workouts I would participate in. SC goes after good players and they just so happened to be from Taft.

I read a past article where you stated, "You get treated differently (when you're a walk-on)," Carlson admits. "And not just by other players. Equipment staff, trainers, and the coaches. You're kind of starting out at some sort of disadvantage." Without calling out anybody in particular, can you expand on those statements? Do people say things to your face? Do you hear things behind your back? And how did that effect you? Did it make you more motivated? Conversely, once you won a scholarship, what was that feeling like?

I think that all the staff, trainers and coaches have a lot of players to work with so they focus on the players that play. More often than not the players with scholarships play before walk-ons do. As a result, walk-ons don’t really get equal treatment until they "earn a few stripes". (photo left: Greig and his mom Sylvia) No big deal, it was actually motivation for me. People say things to your face and treat you differently. When i got my scholarship it was such a relief. I was happier for my mom since she no longer had to pay for school. That was the biggest reward for me.

I also read this quote from you in regards to learning how to catch punts. "I learned a lot from "Flash" (Frank Candela)," Carlson explains. "He used to play outfield in baseball, so he knew where the ball would be every time, and he helped me a lot with that. You have to watch the tail of the ball and figure out where it will fall. If you do that every time, the rest is easy." What other players influenced you during your time at USC? Who were some of your best friends? Do you still keep in touch?

I was influenced by a lot of players at SC in different ways. John Cousins played with a hearing aid. I respected that a lot. Troy, Carson, Malaefo Mckenzie, Keary Colbert all had big impacts on me. I learned a good work ethic from the upper classmen. Those guys in particular were the most inspiring. Keary was always the grandfather figure in terms of football. I thought the way he approached the game mentally was amazing. Always focused and confident. I looked up to him for that. My closest friends on the team were David Kirtman, Leinart, Brandon Hance, and Buchanon, I'd say. I still keep in contact with them. More Kirtman and Hance though.

Following up on that last question, you played with some pretty big "stars" or "icons" or "legends" during your time at USC. Carson and Matt and Reggie won Heismans. Troy Polamalu, Sean Cody, Mike Patterson, Lendale White, all guys that are still big names in the NFL. What was that like being a "peer" of future NFL superstars? What was it like being in the midst of the Heisman campaigns and all that publicity?

It was an amazing experience playing with all the great players that have come through SC. When I first got to SC it was an average PAC-10 team and by the time I left it was the best team in the country and arguably a dynasty. The hype surrounding the team changed drastically from one end of the spectrum to the other. The media was everywhere at all times but it was a blast. I wouldn’t change it. I played with 3 Heisman winners. Not many people can say that.

Again, talking about your past teammates, what was it like to play and practice alongside NFL great receivers such as BMW, Steve Smith and Dwayne Jarrett? What did they teach you? How did you get along with them? You were a talented receiver in your own right, but there's not much you can do if you have NFL receivers playing in front of you. Even Chris McFoy signed with the Raiders. That's a lot of talent at one position.

I was good friends with all the receivers. It was fun playing with all of them. There's a bond between you guys since you go to "war" with them everyday. I think we all taught each other all the time. (photo right: Greig and SCKid's niece Shelly) When we watched film or saw something on the field we would coach each other up. Steve Smith and I talked all the time about route running and defenses. I thought he matured as a receiver a lot his Sr. year.

We get a little nostalgic when speaking of 2001, not only because it was Pete's first year, but it was also the Herd's rookie season, so we've ridden along with this surge of Trojan success also. What was it like playing for Pete that first year, which was your first year, and what changes did you see taking place as USC came into its own during 2002?

My first year was lost if you will. I was trying to figure things out as a freshman, still finding my way. New to college football and college period. Didn’t know how to work out, didn’t know the game well enough, wasn’t prepared physically. Mostly the changes that took place over the years was that the team was starting to gel and play together, we got better players, and I started to figure things out. I got stronger, smarter, and prepared better so my take on the game was more clear. We grew more confident as a team each game and winning was expected by everyone associated with the team.

What was the bowl experiences like for you? Were you on the traveling squad for the Las Vegas Bowl? What was the difference of going to the Las Vegas Bowl one year to the Orange Bowl the next year. For one, what happened at the Las Vegas Bowl? We've heard that the team was more interested in the Vegas experience than prepping for Utah? On the other hand, the Orange Bowl was a completely different experience. That 2002 team was the start of the current dynasty. What was it like to be a part of that Trojan turnaround? And following up after that, what were the following Bowl experiences like? The Rose Bowl in 2004 when you beat Michigan to claim the AP Championship? The BCS Orange Bowl against Oklahoma?

The first bowl game was fun. I was redshirting that year and wasn’t going to play in the game so I had fun in Vegas. I'm not really sure why we lost that game. Maybe we didn’t prepare well and took them lightly. Couldn't say. The bowl games after that I was playing in so I treated them more like business trips. It was a lot of fun traveling and staying in hotels with all my friends. We got to see Miami, travel first class, it was unbelievable. I couldn’t think of a better place to be during the last 5 years in college football.

Let's talk about your last two games, which was probably a pretty amazing experience for you, and yet they were pretty seminal moments for USC football since if USC had beaten Texas, you would've been a part of NCAA Football history. What was it like having that last home game against UCLA at the Coliseum, where USC destroyed UCLA? And then to follow that up with the let-down game against Texas. What were your emotions? What are your thoughts on that Texas game?

Its always a good day when we beat ucla. That victory was especially great since it confirmed that I would never lose to ucla. The Texas game was surreal. We never thought we could lose that game. We thought it was over down the stretch and we ended up losing. I couldn’t believe it, I was in shock. It would have been amazing to finish on a good note but the experience was top shelf nonetheless.

You've seen the Trojans go on major streaks against their rivals the last few years, the 2006 UCLA game doesn't need to be included in this conversation. What was it like to be a part of the team during those streaks? Especially since you had a special relationship with some UCLA players, your roommates David Koral and Manual White for one. Did that make the UCLA streak more special to you? And what were your feelings about beating Notre Dame so decisively year in and year out? Finally, what was that special Notre Dame game in 2005 like? The Bush push game? (photo right; Greig and D. Koral)

I guess you take all the victories for granted after a while. Every game against ucla and notre dame I felt we would win. The last game (Notre Dame 2005) I was a part of at their place was a game I don’t think I’ll ever forget. The emotions went up and down every play. The finish to that game is one of the best in history and I cant believe I was there to experience it. Living with Dave and Manuel didn’t add to the rivalry. We were friends before football. We shared stories all the time about our teams. No rivalry issues came up just a little smack talking here and there.

We haven't really interviewed a punt returner yet, though Darrell Rideaux did return kickoffs. Can you give us some inside knowledge of that position? What's in your mind as you line up for the punt? What are you thinking about when the balls in the air? When do you make that decision to fair catch it or to run with it? And how soon do you realize if that was a good decision or not?

Punt returning is a special position. Its a great feeling lining up for a return. you count the players on the field to make sure there’s the right amount. I always get a little nervous when the ball is kicked. You have an internal clock that tells you when to fair catch. You see how high the ball is kicked, the trajectory of the ball, and where you are on the field all tell you when to fair catch. You know immediately after the catch if it was the right decision or not. I think I only had one fair catch that I shouldn’t have done.

Following up on that last question, what was it like to share the same position as Reggie Bush? You must've gotten a lot of practice time together with him fielding punts? How did you get along with him? And what were the situations when Pete sent you out to return punts instead of Reggie? Were they scripted situations or spur-of-the-moment decisions? And did Reggie ever get a little miffed if you were sent out for a punt instead of him?

Reggie was fun to play with. We got along just fine. I tried to help him learn flight of the ball and how to catch punts. He's an unbelievable athlete so he learned a lot on his own. Running after the catch was all him, you cant teach that stuff. When Reggie first got there he wasn’t returning punts just yet but as he developed as a player he expanded his role. When a guy like Reggie wants to return punts you let him. I was always anxious to see him run with the ball. He usually did something you didn’t believe. I went in when we were in backed up situations and looking for a secure catch more than anything, and when we were out in the field and had more room Reggie would go in and do his thing. I doubt Reggie ever got upset if i went in. I think there’s much respect between us and besides, he played enough. Im sure he was happy about the breather when I went in.

What did you do after you graduated from USC? What are you doing now? Did you have any thoughts of a career in football? Playing? Coaching?

After I got done with SC I went to work for a small games company and a few months later it was purchased by a bigger games company. So now I work for konami in Manhattan Beach. I would have loved to play pro something after college but I got hurt and the timing was wrong so I got a job instead. I’ve thought about coaching but its a lot of your time so maybe after I’ve worked enough.

Finally, can you sum up your feelings about your time at USC, about being a part of Trojan football history, and of your feelings about the Trojan family?

Finally to sum up the SC experience, I LOVE SC. my college experience was unreal because of the people I got to meet that are huge influences on my life now. Maybe biased but I think football was better at SC than anywhere else in the country. Wouldnt trade it for the world. I cant say enough good things about my time spent at SC. Part of history and a great Trojan family that paved the way for a bright future.

Fight On!

Greig Carlson

A Herd and TCSD Tribute to Ray Weber

2007-06-19T21:35:00.000-07:00

Ray Weber is the outgoing President of the Trojan Club of San Diego (TCSD). Four years ago, he was asked to serve the then thirty year old TCSD, for two years. This month he gave his fond farewells as President as he hosted the San Diego version of the Coaches Tour Dinner with Tim Floyd and Pete Carroll. During the night, Ray thanked my Board of Directors for their superb year round service to SD Trojans, and then he highlighted the many, many contributions of his dear friend, Don Clausen, who passed away one month ago. Ray also introduced the Trojan Club of San Diego’s new incoming President, Cornado's Dan Orr (Fourthseed on WeAreSC). Dan is from a great Trojan family. Ray was presented with a plaque for the Marv Goux Award which signifies, “service to the TCSD from a Board member. Usually the President does not receive the award, so Ray was so very honored and felt every appreciated for his years of service to Troy!

Ray stated that he will stay on the Board and continue to help USC Athletics. He reiterated that the Trojan Club of San Diego tries hard here to do great things, and that USC football is in fine hands, and wow, here comes USC basketball especially with The Galen Center. Ray said, “Enjoy the ride and stay involved and lets all do our part to support and protect that USC legacy!” Finally, Ray summed the evening up by closing with, “Good night from San Diego, where we did our volunteer best, everyone, and thanks for listening! Fight On!”

The Herd wanted to thank Ray Weber for his four (4) years of exceptional service to the Trojan Club of San Diego, so we asked a few Herdmembers and TCSD members to give a little shout out to Ray, and acknowledge his efforts.

This is a testimonial from Ray’s Trojan Family:

From incoming TCSD President Dan Orr (Fourthseed):

I've been attending Trojan Club of San Diego events almost since I moved to Coronado from Corona del Mar in 1980. I consider myself an active member and active Trojan fan. But, my passion and participation pales in comparison to Ray Weber's.

It has been my pleasure to serve on the board of the TCSD for a number of years including all of Ray's tenure as president. I cannot speak highly enough of Ray's leadership. He presided during a time of incredible change; the re-ascendancy of Trojan football, the rise of the internet, and a new, and not easy, relationship with the Athletic Department.

He met these challenges with intelligence and grace all the while moving the Club forward while striving to honor the past contributions of the Club and it's members.

Communication with the San Diego Trojan Family has never been better, attendance at our events consistently sets records, and therefore, we have been able to spend tens of thousands of dollars annually to USC in support of our beloved teams. And, NO team visits San Diego without having Ray in the stands cheering them on.

I will be the new president of the TCSD and I am beyond grateful for Ray's continued presence on our board, his participation, and his counsel.

Fight On! Ray!

From Bob Halligan ('72 MBA):

Ray Weber is just a great president and organizational leader. His enthusiasm and dedication are endless. This guy pees cardinal and gold! He'll be tough to replace.

ShortyfromtheHerd wrote:

How deservedly proud you must be Ray. I know the Herd is damn proud of you and your tireless efforts on behalf of all things SC. Ray, you’re always a perfect gentleman, a great ambassador for USC and an all around good guy. Fight On, Ray.

From Rick Barrett:

As the founder of the Trojan Club of San Diego in 1974, and as a past president, I would like to pay tribute to Ray Weber. He is and was the best president this club has ever had. He is a hard charging Trojan and a credit to our fine university. It has been a pleasure serving on his board of directors.

All good wishes, Ray. "Fight On",

Brooks Wilson wrote:

Congratulations to Ray for a great four years as SDTC President. Thanks for the courtesy and recognition you always extended to the Herd at your events. You will be missed as President but you are still on the board and still in the Herd.

Ray is a true-blue Trojan and a true-blue Herder. Like mpron, Ray is always supporting Trojan sports other than football. I have driven to San Diego for his luncheons at least four times and if there are two Herders present, there is a Herd table and it is up front. One time, Grover and I were the only two and we sat at the table with the MC and the speaker. Once, he had us lead a spell out at the end of the luncheon. He always acknowledges us at his meetings. Thanks, Ray!

Bill Elliott wrote:

Ray was my first President in the club,I just joined last year, and he has set the bar high for future Presidents. He was at every event I have been to and I am sure more than that. We are lucky to have such a Trojan fan in our club. He has inspired me to get more active. Way to go Ray.

From Altadena Trojan:

Thanks for your service to SD Trojans. The remarkable tributes to Mr. Clausen truly define what the Trojan Family is about. Fight On Ray Weber!!

Brad M. wrote:

"Ray, You exhibit more Trojan Spirit than Tommy himself!! Great job and many thanks for all your blood, sweat and cheers!"

From Mike Abell, Class of 76':

Ray, thanks so much for your leadership the past four years. Your Presidency and a couple of National Championships have helped grow the TCSD to the heights it is enjoying today. It does not seem that long ago we had 60 people for the coaches dinner at the Hanalei Hotel.

My favorite memory of you was running into you back in Washington DC, as well as the great catch you made when Coach Pete lobbed you a football last year. Take care buddy.

Tom Schiff in San Diego wrote:

I will add this - Being a rook this past year wrt the USC SD Chapter, I can say I attended my first Chapter event at the Del Mar races a year ago in July? - and I could not believe how nice/accepting the whole group was, and how much Ray and Carol made a special effort to make me feel welcome.

Each luncheon, event, etc, thereafter, they all made me feel even more welcome. And Ray was tireless in his letting all of us know about upcoming events, and promptly answering email questions.

I am not a USC grad, but grew up in Oregon in the 50's, and always rooted for the PAC 6 in the Rose Bowl, and most of the time that was USC. While I was an AFA Cadet on summer leave, I had the privilege of meeting Mike Garrett in the summer of 65 (or was it 66?) - at the Balboa Bay Club, and he was very nice.

I always loved John McKay's quips (OJ can carry the ball 25+ times, it's not heavy, or - he's not in a union) and in high school in 62-64, I wore All American Hal Bedsole's number (84 was it?) - at my tight end position.

Nuff of my memory lane - Ray and Carol have been simply - OUTSTANDING. He/they have raised the bar very high for the spirit level of the SD Chapter. They are "THE BOMB" - to quote from A River Runs Through It. (If I remember that right - maybe it's another catchy phrase. Tempus Fuget and all that).

Anyhow, glad The Herd is doing something for a loyal supporter, and I have greatly enjoyed standing among you all at several games.

From Jayne and Hank Slade:

For your inspiration and enthusiasm we cannot thank you enough. For your sincere caring and attention to all who appear at any of the Trojan Club functions we say thanks for making us all feel so at home in your midst. Your spirit is infectious and welcome in all of our lives.

Shelly Palmer wrote:

I just wanted to give a special thanks to Ray Weber for a terrific job as President of the SD Trojan Club. He served for 4 years which is way above and beyond the call. Ray never was too busy to lend a helping hand to those in need or listen to someone's concerns. We had great programs during his tenure and he did much to increase the fame of Troy in San Diego.

He is a great Trojan and I wish him the very best.

P.S. Also a big thanks to The Herd - you energized our fan base on our rise back to glory with Pete. I have read comments on the old Herd board and loved the banter between Shorty, Mojack and others.

And mpron summed it all up:

Ray. congratulations on your being selected for the Marv Goux Award..It is a huge honor and it couldn't have gone to a more dedicated Trojan. Note I said Trojan and not Trojan fan as even though you are not an alum of USC, there could not be anyone out there that does embody the Trojan spirit than you do. It is my honor and pleasure to root for our teams, football, baseball, basketball hell even women's water polo alongside you.

Thank you for your years of service as the president of the San Diego Trojan club. As you had some mighty big shoes to fill having had the likes of Don to follow, Dan will also have some huge shoes to fill himself. I am sure along with your guidance, he will do a fine job.

Fight on to a true Trojan. Fight on Ray!!

Herder of the Week - June 16th, 2007

2007-06-16T09:02:00.000-07:00

The Trojan Father
HOTW - TrojanChuck
by Mojack

I can hear the detractors now, “Ohh sure, pay for a few years of education at USC and you could be Herder of the Week also…” and hey since I’m not above bribes, if someone wants to start a USC college fund for my kids, I’ll certainly fast track your HOTW application. (photo right: TrojanChuck and Mojack at 39th and Menlo) But in the case of this week’s HOTW, though it is true that the recipient was the direct connection between my USC tuition bills and the money that needed to be paid, this person has sat with the Herd since the San Jose State game, so he is an Original Herder.

It’s not coincidental that tomorrow is Father’s Day. As the weekend approached, I thought to myself what would be more appropriate than to celebrate the person who got me excited about USC in the first place, and who was instrumental in sending me to USC, and who also endured the USC games with me through the ‘90s…so my father Trojan Chuck was an obvious pick, and someone who needs to be acknowledged for their contribution to the Herd. True, Trojan Chuck doesn’t post on our boards, he is a lurker though, and he has brought his family; wife Judy and second daughter, Laura, and her husband Kirk, and their kids, into the Herd since that first game in 2001.

I remember at 3 years old getting driven to LAX with my mom and dad. I was in my pajamas, and I vividly remember seeing bright lights in the sky and asking, “what’s that?” And my father saying, “That’s the airport.” Instead, I soon found out, it was Dodger Stadium, and my parents were taking me to my first baseball game between the Pirates and the Dodgers. Though my father grew up in California, he was always a Pirates fan, and I became a Pirates fan, and so I was in ecstasy that we were at this baseball game at 3 years old. My point is that I loved sports from an early age, and that I contribute to my father, who I watched baseball and the Lakers and USC football with.

I’ve shared before about watching the Notre Dame and USC game in 1974 with my father. I was 10, and was distraught that Notre Dame was beating USC so badly. And then Anthony Davis’ 2nd half kickoff return jump started the Trojans, and USC never looked back and I didn’t either, staying a USC fan for life. Or course, as I surmised, I was a USC fan far before that memory because why would I have been so distraught by USC losing to Notre Dame if not, but that is my really first vivid memory of being a USC fan, and I shared that with my father. He had always loved USC.

But my Dad was more than my USC mentor, he was an elementary school teacher who became an elementary school principal. He has three other daughters besides me, and 8 grandkids total. He coached my Little League teams, and then my Pony and Colt League teams, and was very successful as a coach. He even was asked to continue to coach after I was through that period in my life, and though he wore those black Paul Hackett glasses, he always had a very good rapport with his players, and they liked and respected him. Plus, he was the kind of father/coach who would go throw me a few hundred batting practice pitches on the weekend whenever I felt the need to work on my game. When I played baseball my freshman year at UCSD, he would drive to games in San Diego and/or Santa Barbara when he were on the road to support me. (photo left: A table of Herders: TrojanChuck, Nathaniel, Bella, Eden, Benjie, Laura and Judy) Those are the kinds of fatherly attributes I hope to exhibit to my son Eden as he grows up. I’ve already tried to share our love to USC with my son, he’s been attending USC games since he was 6 months old, so that is one tradition I am passing on from my father.

When I told Shorty and Brooks that TrojanChuck was going to be HOTW, they said they wanted to write a few things. Brooks wrote, “I asked Chuck how Mojack went so wrong when the rest of the family is normal. He didn't have an answer. He said that most people thought he was adopted but if that were true, they would have returned him after two days. Noticing Chuck's discomfiture at the demeanor of Mojack at one of the tailgates, I thought he might need a little encouragement. I mentioned that Mojack was like another son to me. Then thinking of the age, I said, well more like a nephew or grandson. Chuck looked at me and said, consider him anything you want, just get him out of my family. In spite of his son, for which we can't really hold him responsible, Chuck is one of the good guys. An Original Herder who attends all of the home games.”

And Shorty contributed some random Trojan Chuck thoughts:

"I just don't understand the Morris family. How Trojan Chuck puts up with Mojack is beyond me and how Judy puts up with either one is incomprehensible. Many times I've heard Mojack say "Trojan Chuck, he's been like a dad to me."

A few things Trojan Chuck has never said:

"I am proud that you decided to keep the family unibrow."
"Trojan Odyssey sure knows his stuff."
"Hey, kids! Sit down at the table and try my vichyssoise."
"Go ahead and take my Lexus. Here's 80 bucks for gas."
"Let's all sit down so the weenie lady behind me can see."
"I LOVE your tattoo. We should both get new ones."
"Leinart can't throw the long ball."
"Son, I signed us up for the pairs karaoke contest this Friday night."

Trojan Chuck was very supportive of Mojack's baseball career. In fact, once Mojack went to college, Chuck and his buddies would go to games and spellout M-O-J-A-C-K on their bare chests. The rainbow colored wigs were a nice touch also. Seriously, Trojan Chuck has become a good friend and great Herder. I always look forward to seeing his smile and getting a high five. Congratulations Trojan Chuck for your wonderful family.”

Thanks for the words, Brooks and Shorty. Both SCNut and Altadena Trojan have told me how cool it is that I get to experience the Trojan games, the San Gabriel Trojan Club dinners, the Herd walks, etc., with my father, and I do really appreciate it. That’s another reason that for our Father’s Day Herder of the Week, I’m presenting my father, TrojanChuck as this week’s HOTW. Fight On, Dad.

How did you become a USC fan?

It was News Year’s Day, 1946, I turned on the radio and listened to the Rose Bowl Game – USC versus Alabama. Alabama won 34 – 14, but at that point in time I became a SC fan. I don’t remember much about the game or any highlights. I do remember some unforgettable names from that game – Ted Tannehill, Verle Lillywhite and Jim Hardy. I learned later that L.A. Councilman John Ferraro was also on that team at LT. In the following years, I continued to follow USC and whatever was written about any USC team or individual, such as, Paul Cleary (All American) or sprinter Mel Patton.

In January 1953, I had the pleasure to attend the Rose Bowl. What a great experience. The entire atmosphere was electric. I had never been to an event with so many people – over 100.000. The game was a tough fought “football game”. USC won 7 – 0 over Wisconsin. Al “Hoagy” Carmichael against All American Al “The Horse” Ameche. Carmichael caught a 22 yard pass from Rudy Bukich and Sam Tsagalaskis kicked the extra point.

At the Coaches Tour Dinner in Pasadena on June 5, 2007, I was walking to the Herd table when I saw a name tag ---- Sam Tsagalakis. He was directly in front of me. I said, “You are Sam Tsagalaskis the USC kicker in the 1953 RoseBowl.” (photo right: TrojanChuck in tux) He looked at me with a smile. “Yes, I am and how nice of you to remember.” I shook his hand as I told him that I was at the game and that it was a truly a great game. He agreed as I introduced him to Mojack and to Brooks. He looked back at me and said, “I was a kicker not one of these soccer players they call kickers today.”

You were born in Gallup, New Mexico. Then you moved as a young boy and grew up in Rialto, California and went to San Bernardino High School. Tell us what it was like to grow up in Southern California back in those days and have that connection to USC? What was it like to go to the Coliseum back in the 1950's? One of your high school friends went on to play football at Oregon with John Robinson. Can you tell us about all these seeming Trojan connections?

I graduated from San Bernardino High School with Lindsey Hubby who played for SC as an end. I had an acquaintance from Colton High, Wayne Kurlack QB. Our head football coach at SBHS was Paul Taylor a QB at SC. I had a very good friend, Leroy Phelps, who was the starting halfback at Oregan with teammates John Robinson and John Madden. Leroy’s parents did not like to drive in LA so they would ask me to drive and watch Leroy play in the Coliseum. After the game, we would wait at the top of the tunnel until Leroy came up to visit with us.

The tunnel was always this mystery – from watching so many teams over the years rush forth onto the floor of the Coliseum. The Herd has given me the opportunity on several occasions to walk through and enjoy entering the field and being on that playing field. A great experience - for a fan!

Tell us how it feels to grow up loving USC, not being able to attend USC yourself, and yet have one of your children attend USC? Did that make you feel more a part of the Trojan family? Did that make going to the USC games more of a special experience?

I grew up thinking about attending USC, but financially I couldn’t afford the great educational opportunity I would have received. I was supportive when my son asked if he could apply to USC. I was overjoyed upon his acceptance and, of course, tremendously proud on his graduation – Class of ’88. A dream comes true ……. All in Cardinal and Gold.

Today, I encourage my grandchildren to invest themselves in the USC mystique. (photo left: Herd fathers; TrojanChuck, Mojack, Brooks, SCGary and Grover) They may be eleven years and younger, but they attend events – football, basketball, baseball and even hockey games. It is especially special to be on campus during “game day” seeing and listening to the TMB, the song girls, Traveler, the statue of Tommy Trojan, and being with the Herd. They wear their USC gear, have mementos/souvenirs in their rooms and can give the “Fight On “sign whenever an USC event is happening.

Tell us how you used to support USC, watch games, etc., before you discovered the Herd.

Growing up outside of Rialto on an orange grove did not lend itself to me personally attending any of the USC games. After graduating from high school I did get the opportunity to attend several games. I seldom missed any USC events on TV. But with my two years of military service, raising a family, coaching baseball for fifteen years, etc., I didn’t have the “open opportunity” to regularly attend games at the Coliseum.

When Mojack was attending USC, the family bought season tickets up up up in the nose bleed area. Yet we were there, and we have been there since!
You have only discovered the internet in the last few years, and I know you lurk on the Herd Forum, but what was your opinion when your son came to you and said that the family needed to change their season tickets to go with this new group, the Thundering Herd?

It sounded like a good idea to get near the field and the action, but my wife, daughter, and the grandkids couldn’t see. (photo right: TrojanChuck and Judy in Hawaii) My wife Judy and daughter Laura would watch the teleprompter at the Peristyle end. The grand kids were held or stood near the tunnel rail. A few years ago. I bought two seats in Row 21 in Section 11. My wife and daughter now sit with the younger grandkids and can see the action directly.

I know the San Jose State game was your first Herd game. What were your first impressions of the Herd? And those first impressions don't have to include your opinion of having your son thrown out of the Coliseum in the first Herd game.

The mindset of the police at that game was typically nearsighted. They thought the Herd were a bunch of thugs a.k.a. Raider fans. A dozen or more officers lined the stairway while USC videotaped our actions. The one officer who sent Mojack outside needed to justify his presence because of the number of officers that certainly could be used elsewhere in the city of LA to watch over the unsupervised populace instead of active contained football fans

There certainly was pre-planning to their presence and actions. Mike Garrett? President Sample? But thanks to the Herd’s unending support and to Pete Carroll, the Herd is called upon to support USC needs requested by coaches, song girls, and equestrian team. The TMB, etc. All thanks to the enthusiastic support by the Herd membership. Oh, by the stairway, just one officer now stands near the Herd.

What has the Trojan experience and the Herd experience meant to you and your family? Your son and his children come to the games. Your daughter Laura, son-in-law Kirk and their kids have been season ticket holders also since the origination of the Herd. What has Trojan football meant to over the last two decades?

Being part of a winning experience like no other that I have personally been involved with and having my family beside me to enjoy the electric football atmosphere. My son and daughter and my grandchildren can stand with pride and say, “We were there.” The Pete Carroll years have been the greatest and can be the heart of many stories our children and grandchildren can share with the future generations at family gatherings. Believe me, our birthday celebrations (11 from August 26^th to December 22^nd) all have to be planned around the USC schedule which sometimes causes some questions about who comes first- the family birthdays or the USC games? You guessed it, the USC games always win out!

You used to tailgate with just the family outside the steps of the Los Angeles County Museum of History. And what has the move to the Herd tailgates, and getting to know lots of Herders, and the extended family of the Herd meant to you?

The family would park across at the Menlo lot (no problems in the Smith and Hackett years) we’d find a shady area, set up our table and indulge ourselves in our tailgate. We could throw the football to one another, listen to various USC groups spell out S-O-U-T-H-E-R-N C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A and have the openness now filled with parked cars.

We joined the Herd at 39^th and Menlo and enjoined the corner atmosphere, the interaction with new friends, great hospitality, and the food was always superb, and there were TV’s broadcasting various key games from across the country that kept you up to date. The Herd made “game day” truly great...

There are a few seminal Herd moments; from "We Believe" to Thomas Williams jumping into the stands. And a few great Herd away games. Are there any special moments that you remember and feel a strong part of?

My oldest daughter lives outside of Atlanta, Georgia. Mojack and family plus my wife and I flew to Atlanta. My son-in-law drove my son and me to Auburn for the first game of Matt Leinart’s college career. Hot –hot – dark black night with lightning and thunder in the background and we’re at the top of the stadium standing like good Herd members. The Auburn people were hospitable and friendly. “Welcome to Auburn” was the general greeting. After the game, “Great game!’ “You played well!” “We’d like to play you again!”, but no derogatory remarks.

The Hawaii game was hot – full sun seating for the SC fans. The first half was a complete question mark. Where was the SC football team? Were they surfing or sunny in front of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel? Then in SC fashion - - - WHAM – BAM! A great win. What a wonderful week in Honolulu with Mojack and his family and my wife. A luau, tour of Pearl Harbor, the beach, Diamond Head, and the ghosts of Harry Owens and the Royal Hawaiians with Hilo Hattie coming from the great Pink Lady Hotel. Did I mention the Great Herd tailgate next to Pearl Harbor? And to top off the week, all five of us flew home (for some unknown reason) first class. GO USC!

What do you see for the Herd as it moves forward? And what are your final thoughts about your Herd experience

I can only say that I wish Brooks and I were twenty years younger. The true enjoyment of being at the games, experiencing the moment, the unity of spirit, the whole essence of USC. (photo right: Mojack and TrojanChuck at a luau in Hawaii) It can’t get any better than being with family and friends while beating the Bruins and ND and no home game losses. The experience is just that – an on-going Fight-On!

I know this is Father's Day, but do you ever get jealous about what a great and revered Trojan your son is?

Thanks for being the son of sons that continues to make an old man’s heart say, “God Bless every day I can spend with you”.

The Coaches Tour - The Pasadena Hilton

2007-06-06T20:51:00.000-07:00

Breaking Down (with expert analysis) the Pete Carroll/Tim Floyd Dinner
by Mojack

Another Trojan event in Pasadena. Over 500 people were present. Before the dinner, Trojan Chuck and Brooks talked to Sam Tsagalaksis, a Trojan kicker who played on the 1953 Rose Bowl Trojans, and then the Herd settled into their seats in anticipation of seeing Pete Carroll and Tim Floyd give their rap about their past season and their upcoming seasons.

The chicken was well done and dry and the scant mushroom sauce couldn’t save the dish let alone make up for the cold saffron rice. We joked at the Herd Table that we hoped they weren’t serving Pete Carroll and Tim Floyd the same food, maybe they had some prime rib stowed away just for the head table. We also commented on how much better the food was at Brookside where Sean Kennelly throws his San Gabriel Trojan Club bashes, but I digress, my name isn’t Yucca and I’m not going to get quoted in the Times for being a faux gourmand and apprising the fitness of the Pasadena Hilton’s wine menu.

The night was about hearing Tim Floyd and Pete Carroll give their pitches, and the Herd definitely got their money’s worth, poor chicken substitute meal notwithstanding. Sean Kennelly introduced memorial videos of Ryan Francis and Mario Danelo, and that drove the point home, that we should appreciate what we have, and the fact that we’re Trojans sitting in a nice Pasadena ballroom waiting in rapt attention to hear our coaches speak is a very beautiful thing, and that bad chicken isn’t the worst thing in the world. Plus, any night you have 3 Chaffey High alums at the same table and nobody gets put in handcuffs, it's a good night.

Tim Floyd started the night off by stating, “I’ve come to terms that I’m a basketball coach at a football school. I have a counselor. He’s helped me a lot. And the Prozac is working well too.” He continued, “when I was hired, I thought the whole Trojan family thing was a bunch of malarkey, but I went along with it, but boy, you all have proven me wrong. It is a wonderful thing. I’m now a Trojan through and through, and since I’m in the Galen Center, I even miss the band practicing outside my office in Heritage Hall, every night, all night long…If my team practiced as hard as the band, we’d have won a national championship.”

Coach Floyd talked about missing 55 points a year from losing Young, Pruitt and Stewart, and that’s the most any PAC-10 team is losing, but they have Gibson, Hackett and Mayo, and the number #1 recruiting class coming in, so they should be okay. They’re also playing the number #1 most difficult schedule, playing like 16 ranked teams out of conference including Memphis and Kansas, and USC is even trying to schedule Florida for next year. But, Floyd said, “we’re USC” and that’s what we do, we play hard schedules. Floyd talked about what a great basketball player Mayo is, but that the media is wrong about him, “he’s a good kid, a yes sir, no sir kind of kid, a good student, and he’s going to represent the University well.”

Floyd shared this story about Mayo, “The Kid came out for a recruiting trip. Instead of going out to the Los Angeles nightlife with Young and Pruitt, he asked me to open the gym for him. The kid shot baskets in the Galen Center from midnight to 3 in the morning. I’ve never had a kid want to do that.”

Floyd says he knows Mayo will only be there one year, but that he’s trying to build a program, and he can’t keep a kid from making $30 million when he has a chance. That’s what he told Young, “You got to go. You’ve got to sign that guaranteed 1^st round contract.” But he thought Pruitt made a big mistake, “he’s going to lose a lot of money.” Coach Floyd seemed like he was caught off guard by both players deciding to turn pro, but that’s why he’s preparing already for Mayo to leave, “I need to start recruiting now for his replacement.” Floyd was very excited about last year, but says they are building a program, and that he’s so happy to be working for Mike Garrett and Heritage Hall who do everything for you as a coach. And what a wonderful friend and co-worker Pete is. Pete helps Tim recruit, and has taught Tim that coaching is fun, “You guys have to be thankful you have Pete Carroll here, he’s the best coach in the country, in all sports.” Coach Floyd said Pete gave a pep talk to the team before the Stanford game, when USC was 9-7 and really needed a win, and the team responded big. But Pete also gave a pep talk before the Oregon game in the PAC-10 tournament, when Oregon blew USC out. Pete joked, “Yeah, you guys stunk in that game, I had to leave before halftime.”

Floyd finished by thanking the crowd for the 7 straight sell outs to end the season, and he thanks USC fans and boosters for their support in building the Galen Center, “the greatest stadium in the country.” He's also predicting full houses all this year, “I know people want to come out and see O.J. Mayo, the kid wants to be the star of his generation. That’s a lofty goal. But it’s going to be fun to watch. ESPN is booking games and tournaments for us just for O.J. Mayo, so I know we’re going to sell a lot of tickets.”

Pete was up next and said, “I love Pasadena! It’s our home, that Rose Bowl is our home, and that’s our goal every year. (photo left: GAB and Brooks fighting over the tip. They didn't leave one.) We can’t control the BCS, but we can control winning our conference and playing in the Rose Bowl every year. How great was that win against Michigan last January?”

He said, “I’m glad to be back here speaking in front of you again, and I am back here. You all know I took a trip to Costa Rica and he didn’t offer me the job (or I didn’t accept the job)…and guess what, I’m here forever! (the crowd went nuts) Even if they get tired of me on the football side of things, Tim said I can be his assistant coach for basketball.”

(Someone on Peristyle thought this story below was inside info, but heck it’s about a pep talk. Sorry if I’m giving away Pete’s secrets, but we know he’s full of adrenaline and likes to pump guys up. Is that news? I guess they can ban me from the next dinner if this is covert stuff)

Pete really didn’t talk about last year except to say, “Everyone talks about our great halftime adjustments. You know what happened at the Rose Bowl? Before the game, I told the guys, “I want everyone to have the best time at that game. We’re going to be dancing on the sideline, having fun.” Well, we all got into the game, and before you know it, it’s halftime and the score is 3-3. We’re going off field, and I thought to myself, “Heck, I forgot, we’re not having fun.” I pulled Sark aside and said, “We want to have a good time in the 2^nd half, I want you to pass every play.” And I think that’s the last time I talked to a coach all halftime. I went in to a quiet locker room, and I grabbed walk-on Jimmy Abbott and said, “Jimmy, I know you’re not going to play, you know you’re not going to play, but I want you to have a great time. I want you yelling for your teammates, jumping up and down the whole game.” Then I went to big Thomas Herring and said the same thing. We ran out for the 2^nd half. Lawrence Jackson got an interception. Cushing got a fumble recovery. We scored both times. That long pass to Dwayne Jarrett. And I look over and our sidelines are going nuts! Everyone’s having a great time. And the Michigan guys, they were hanging their heads, not moving! Now, that’s coaching!”

Pete talked about Kiffin leaving to the Raiders, “Isn’t that great for Lane, the youngest coach in the NFL. I’m excited for him. I’m going to go see him at mini camp this week.” The crowd didn’t respond. Pete shrugged, “Ohh, I guess you guys don’t like the Raiders.” Pete continued, “We hired Johnny Morton. No, not the guy who got knocked out with one punch the other night. He’s still a member of the Trojan family.” Pete said “Morton is one of the best coaches in the NFL. He worked with Sark in Oakland, and he studied our films for a year to see how to use Reggie Bush as he was the passing game coordinator for the Saints last year. He likes the opportunity that USC gives him, and he’s going to help us a lot.”

When talking about the oncoming season Pete said he was excited, “We have the Heisman Trophy frontrunner leading us. That’s exciting. We’re number 1, but the players know that doesn’t mean anything. We have to earn it. Every week. Every play in practice. We have to go hard and earn it. It’s exciting. USC is on the lips of every recruit across the country, it’s exciting. The number one team, the Heisman Trophy frontrunner, it doesn’t get any better than this.”

One of the questions was about the running back situation, “Coach, you have 10 great running backs. How do you make them all happy?” Coach Floyd stepped in, “I’ll answer that one. Joe McKnight is from Louisiana. I’m from Louisiana. I say you give the ball to the kid from Louisiana.” Pete said it’s all about competition.

Somebody asked about Aaron Corp and Mitch Mustain. Pete sounded excited about Corp, saying “he’s got a great arm, he’s 6’5” and he can move. And Mustain is also an athlete. He’s going to impress people. They’re going to have a great competition with Mark Sanchez next year. And Mark is going to battle John David this fall too. That’s going to be a great competition.”

With that, Tim Floyd leaned in and said, “How’s your Heisman Trophy frontrunner going to win the Heisman from the bench…?” The crowd broke-up. Pete hemmed and hawed, “Well, we’re all about competition…” And Tim said, “You said he’s the Heisman Trophy frontrunner, how’s he going to win the Heisman from the bench…?” Pete was laughing as he yelled out, “Next question!!”

It was a fun night. Pete and Tim Floyd have a great rapport. The funny part was that out of 10 questions at the end of the night, 7 or so went to Tim Floyd. He did get 3 questions in a row at one time and Tim said, “Thank you, Pasadena, that’s a new record, 3 questions in a row to the basketball coach.”

USC is lucky to have two of the best coaches in the country. We as fans are lucky, and we should enjoy this run as long as we can.

A Trojan Child, a poem

2007-06-06T14:21:00.000-07:00

A TROJAN CHILD
To my daughter Rebecca Marie Logan
Written by Angelica Logan

(A history: When 7-year-old Jacob DeLong left his Canyon Country home for a January trip to the California Science Center in Los Angeles, he was excited to say the least. But after a slight detour to the University of Southern California bookstore, Jacob would soon be hailing the day as the "best in his life." Diagnosed with leukemia in June, the last six months have been filled with chemotherapy sessions and a series of hospital visits for Jacob. As a side effect of his treatment Jacob became nauseous and vomited inside the car - dirtying his clothes in the process. Lisa and Jacob bumped into bookstore employee Angelica Logan and casually explained the situation - that Jacob was suffering from leukemia and had become ill during the car ride. Instructing Jacob to stay put for a minute, Logan left, only to return with an autographed USC football that she presented to Jacob. Logan then asked Jacob if he would be interested in meeting some of the USC football players.)

A TROJAN CHILD
To my daughter Rebecca Marie Logan
Written by Angelica Logan

Any other child will jump around as their Football team enters the field.

A Trojan child will stand still and sing you the alma mater word for word as the USC football team enters the field.

Any other child will ask their mom and dad “What’s going on” on the field.

A Trojan child will tell mom and dad what the last play was and what down we’re on.

Any other child will ask mom and dad who each player is.

A Trojan child will tell you who each player is and what positions they play and who the starters are.

Any other child won’t know who the quarter back is for their team.

A Trojan child will not only tell you but also spell the name correctly.

Any other child when asked what their battle cry is will tell you CHARGE!!!!!!!!

A Trojan child will yell FIGHT ON!!!!!!!!!!

Any other child when asked if they know what a Heisman Trophy is, Will tell you NO.

A Trojan Child not only will tell you but also give you the name of the USC Player who received it.

Any other child when asked what there favorite colors are will give you yellow and blue (LOL)

A Trojan Child will answer cardinal and gold.

Any other child when asked who there team Coach is will give you the name of there little league coach.

A Trojan child will tell you Pete Carroll and tell you how many championships he has given to USC.

Any other child when they see a player on the ground hurt will ask his parents “Will he be OK.”

A Trojan child will yell at the player to get up and get ready for the next play.

Any other child when asked who their mascot is will ask you “What’s a Mascot”

A Trojan child will answer Traveler the horse

Any other child could only dream of being like a Trojan

A Trojan Child is a TROJAN

Herder of the Week - June 3, 2007

2007-06-03T08:46:00.000-07:00

The Snake Charmer

HOTW - natlchamps
by Mojack

Okay Herd, let’s do a little role playing. We’re all panelists in a modern version of “What’s My Line.” Who could be today’s Arlene Francis? Lisa Kudrow? Okay. (photo right: champs on the left of Shara) She was the blonde star of “Friends” “Friends” was a very popular TV show for 10 years (for Brooks’ info)…So, the Herd are all panelists alongside Lisa Kudrow. We’re all blindfolded as this week’s Herder of the Week strides onto the stage. He writes on the chalkboard, “Member of a Circus Big Top Crew.” The studio audience laughs in surprise, not easily I.D.ing the HOTW as a ex-circus worker who was close to being sent to a chain gang in Picayune, Mississippi. So, Lisa Kudrow leans forward to start the round of questioning and says, “Have you ever seen a naked Madonna tied up in the house next door?” The audience laughs at the absurdity of the question, but the HOTW calmly and with a quiet smirk says, “Yes.” The studio audience gasps. SC is the Bomb shouts out, “Alright!” And the questions would continue indefinitely because the HOTW has such a diverse and interesting story (unless someone asked if he was Polish then it’d be a dead giveaway) but eventually Shorty would burst into the studio, detained by a gourmet wine tasting in Brentwood, and shout: “It’s Champs!!” Again, SC is the Bomb would yell, “Alright, Champs saw Madonna naked and tied up!”

Shorty would continue his reveal about natlchamps our HOTW, “You want to know about my buddy Champs! Champs has spent his life around publishing, first at SC in Journalism, then to McCall where he and his wife bought and ran the local paper. (photo left and below: location of the Herd Barn Party) Later, back in California, Champs and Denise took over a couple of publications and built them into an EMPIRE. Trump pales by comparison. Warren Buffet calls for investing tips. Rosie seeks Champs advise on relationships. The man is a legend. Well, you get the idea, the man has accomplished alot. How many of YOUR friends have seen Madonna naked. Well, ok, bad example. Everyone has seen Madonna naked but how many have seen her tied up naked? Ah Ha. I didn't think so. How about having to bring your dogs in on those nights when Nicholson and Beatty (possibly after an adult beverage) are shooting their guns in Malibu Canyon. The guy has a ton of stories. Just get him started on his year with the Circus. Today you'll find Tim supervising the construction of his new McCall ranchhouse, walking his 4 dogs, riding his horses into the local hills or out on the lake boating with a cooler of tall cold ones close by. Tim and Denise have become some of our closest friends...mainly because we adore Denise but that's another story. If one man is allowed, without losing his Man Card, to describe another man I'd tell you about his generosity, kindness, devotion to wife and pets and his enormous intellect. Did I mention he's getting me a ticket to Nebraska?! Tim Novolyosolkoskiski or whatever his damn last name is, is most deserving of HOTW honors.

And that Tim is. He is a great Trojan fan, and a great Herder, participating on the Herd board on a regular basis, and adding a welcomed presences to Herd tailgates home and away. As Brooks said about Tim, “I stood with Champs at the Fresno State Game. Champs wasn't taking the game very well. As the first half wore on and Fresno kept rolling up the yardage and the Trojans kept stumbling, Champs went into a deep funk. I kept assuring him, as the Trojans fell further and further behind not to worry. At half time, he was taking straight pocket shots and getting more and more depressed. He even became verbally abusive to people around us. The only other time I had seen the look in his eyes was when I was trying to talk a jumper off the edge of a freeway overpass...just before he jumped. Then the Trojans started coming back in the second half and he started coming back. When the game ended, he looked at me and said, "I was never worried, we had 'em all the way." Then he turned as he was leaving and told me that he didn't want to stand with me anymore because I sent off bad vibes.”

As stated above, natlchamps is a great guy, a great Trojan and a great friend, and we can’t do his stories justice, so I’m turning the interview over to him at this time, but we’re very proud to have him as our HOTW this week, and I know you’ll enjoy his stories as much if not more than I have. Fight On, Tim!

Before we get into some of our standard questions, I thought we would start with something a guest Herder wanted me to explore with you. He said, “Have Champs tell us about the circus in general and specifically about the Snake Lady.”

Ah…some circus memories… the snake lady…..Well, OK. It was our first time and we had just finished. I was still breathing fast and heavy, on top, and looked into her eyes, a little glassy at first, but then extremely bright. “Oh, my God,” she cried out. “Look. Over there.”

We were on the floor of the snake trailer, and I eased myself off of her, turned around to look up at all the plexiglas cages that were three levels on top of each other, from the floor to the ceiling. A jolt of adrenalin and goosebumps all over my body combined to make me dizzy when I saw that EVERY SINGLE SNAKE was standing stiff and upright, looking out towards us from their little individual windows. To this day I still get chills thinking about it. We quickly slipped away to her sleeping quarters and needless to say we never did it there again.

She was of course beautiful. Long, dark, cascading hair, devilish smile, voluptuous. Her job was basically to look pretty – easy for her – standing next to a HUGE python or boa, whichever is biggest, while people walked into and through her trailer, which consisted of snakes of all kinds enclosed in little compartments with Plexiglas fronts that separated the viewers from the allegedly deadly rascals. This snake trailer was part of a modest menagerie of wild animals and petting zoo that patrons would pass through on the way to the Big Top. There were no freaks here, this was a circus – largest circus under the Big Top – not a carny. Carny people are usually the dredges of society. In fact, circus people notoriously hate carnies, and vice versa. One foggy night we snuck out a couple elephants and stomped through a carny encampment but that’s another story.

Without succumbing to my baser instincts and asking some juicy follow up questions, I'll just ask how did you end up at a circus?

I was just a year out of SC and my girlfriend and I split up. She went to New York; I decided I wanted to see the country. I worked for a year to save enough to buy an old ’55 Econoline van and hit the road, in search of odd jobs when my funds diminished. I had joined the circus when it came to town in Attica, Indiana, where I had been working as a fry cook in nearby West Lebanon, Indiana, while recovering from an accident at a steel mill down the road. Whenever I was low on money I looked for a job wherever I was at that time; assembly line work at GM or dishwasher at some dive; it didn’t matter, I did them all……But, what a stroke of luck to join the circus, where I could see the country while getting paid! This particular circus never took the highway; always the back roads (sheriffs and police were paid off to ignore the absence of or out-of-date permits), so I really did see the country.

We traveled to a new town every day except when we hit the larger cities like New Orleans or St. Louis; then we were in for a three-night stay, and increased chances of some trouble. After one eventful, scary night about 10 of the Big Top crew quit. I almost did as well…but… that’s another story.

What did you do at the circus?

I can juggle, but my main job was part of the Big Top crew, meaning help to put up and take down the Big Top, which was larger than the Coliseum football field. The Big Top was imported from France, largest single expanse of canvas ever made. It was tough work, and yes, there were characters – Gypsy, a tall ex-Marine and ex-Hell’s angel with a swimmer’s streamlined physique; Radar, a shorter bulkier specimen and the meanest guy in the circus next to Gypsy; Pancakes, a small, old, but muscular, toothless black man who used to work with Ringling Brothers, driving stakes when that circus was under the Big Top years ago; Jim Beam, called that because of his fondness for whiskey. He had the weathered look of an old alcoholic and was Pancakes’ best friend. He also was the Pennsylvania state checker champion at one time…

I was at the circus only for three or four months, but it was a lifetime of adventures: fights, accidents, tragedies. Fun times, too, of course.

I can't help it, I need to know more, so tell us a little more about the Snake Lady.

The snake lady was just as intelligent inside as she was pretty on the outside. I had been smitten with her from afar during my early days with the circus. One night this other guy and I happened to end up sitting on the floor of her trailer, drinks in hand, lamenting about the day’s events, which were highlighted by sad circumstances involving a latino named “Migo,” (his nickname because he always called out to everyone, “Hey, Amigo.”) That day he had been busted – an entirely long, heartbreaking adventure that won’t be relayed here – and was eventually sent to the chain gang in Picayune, Mississippi. I was “This Close” to being arrested along with him, through no fault of my own. Another story.

Anyway, this other guy – my opponent for the Snake Lady’s affections -- was getting very drunk, and I knew I simply had to wait him out so he would leave me alone with her. I just knew she was mine. She was also a recent college graduate, and while we were trying to impress each other with a philosophical discussion of the various plains of existence, this guy would merely repeat over and over, “man, poor Migo. Poor Migo.” He eventually left and I fell into the Snake Lady’s arms, and charms. I moved into her trailer for the rest of the circus tour.

The guest Herder also wanted you to tell us about Sean Penn tying up a naked Madonna, but since this is an USC blog we should probably first ask you how you became a USC fan?

Yes, Sean Penn was my next door neighbor for awhile, and my Malibu stories are more interesting than my SC passions, but I don’t think I can relate them here. Most of what happens in Malibu stays in Malibu.

As for my Trojan roots, I would like to say that I was born an SC fan, wore Cardinal and Gold diapers, etc. I am a second generation Trojan by marriage – I met a beautiful young lady at SC who was to become my wife, and her parents met each other at SC.

HOWEVER, as some of you know and are continually aghast when you hear it (and I rarely admit it), I followed the Bruins in my early years. Yes, young people are often stupid. I grew up on the other side of the tracks in Santa Barbara and rooted for anything with L.A. in it – the Rams, Dodgers, Lakers, and of course UC-LA. …I was never passionate about those guys – who could be? – but did follow them….That all changed in a millisecond when I was offered a full scholarship to SC. All of a sudden I was rescued from the dark side, and my new-found passion was rewarded because I was fortunate to go to SC during the McKay years. Most importantly, I was at SC when the greatest team in the history of all college football won the national championship in 1972! Some people pick out a Nebraska team here or a Miami team there, but SC’s 1972 squad was overwhelmingly dominant on both sides of the ball; crushing ranked teams left and right. I have spent time on the boards giving facts, figures, and undeniable evidence of this team’s greatness. There never has been a more outstanding college football team in any era. Period.

Tell us how you used to support USC, watch games, etc., before you discovered the Herd.

From my days as a student until now I’ve always been insane with my obsession over SC football. Only a couple of periods did I not attend every home game: during my circus and cross-country traveling days, of course, and for a couple of years after my wife and I moved to McCall, Idaho to run the local weekly newspaper with two other USC journalism graduates. (We won every newspaper award in the state; we also learned how to lose money.) We moved back to L.A. in late 1979, and from 1980 until last year I think I missed only one home game, due to pneumonia. Since moving back to McCall, though, the streak was broken and I missed a couple last year.

The only lousy thing about moving back to McCall is not being as close to SC football. I still go to the games, of course, but not the practices. For those who cannot make it to the practices I want to highly recommend that you do whatever you can to make a few of them. You gain so much insight on the coaches and the players; their strengths, personalities, nuances. It enhances your enjoyment of watching the game significantly.

Oh, and my wife thinks my passion borders on sickness. When I watch the away games on TV she hides the dogs because I jump up and yell during the good and bad plays and she thinks I frighten them….Sometimes I think I frighten her…I tend to get intense. She did surprise me a year or two ago when she bought me a helmet signed by Heisman stars Matt and Reggie.

Can you summarize your experience finding the USC message boards, and to follow that up, how did you feel when the topics on TFO turned to the lack of fan support in the Coliseum, and grew into the formation of the Herd?

The first Trojan board I ever noticed was through the L.A. Times, and there was a post that mentioned TFO, and once I discovered that board I never looked back.

To tell the truth, I kind of resented some of the comments about ALL the Coliseum being the “blue-haired wine and cheese” crowd, because the people around me in my season seats were great, die-hard fans. We all weathered the Hackett years together, so indeed we had bonding experiences. (photo right: champs and his other Trojan fans) But yes, I was enthralled about the fact that so many enthusiastic fans were banding together. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE Section 11. . . I was not there the first year. That first season, each and every game I sat in my normal seats that I have had for 27 years, press box side, around the 20 yard line near the Peristyle and I looked over toward the tunnel with envy. Through TFO I knew about those fanatics standing by the tunnel, and when I brought friends to the game I would point to this at-that-time rather small group and say: “They are me. That’s where I should be right now!”

I like my old seats because as I mentioned, I have friends all around me who have sat near me through the good, the mediocre, and the horrid years, and they have always tolerated me jumping up and down at every dynamic play…but of course, they would probably toss me out if I stood the whole game.

The view from my Herd seat does not compare to my regular one (good thing for TiVo and the replay board) and I have split time during some games from the Herd seats (where I can usually be found for the first half) and my previous seats to keep peace in the family….Since I will be coming to most games by myself this year, I will most likely be in the Herd section the entire game for most of the season…Of course, my old-time seats just don’t come close to the camaraderie, excitement, and fun of the Herd. We can cheer and complain to each other with semi-intelligent exchanges (semi, when conversing with Mojack) as the game unfolds.

I love hanging over the railing before the game, at half, and after the game. The players love it (not the opposing team, thank goodness), the coaches love it, and we love it. The neat thing is there is simply a Herd bond that permeates the section. I am so fortunate to have experienced this.

Can you regale us again with the story about how you met up with Shorty and became friends with one of the Herd movers-and-shakers in McCall, Idaho?

I mentioned that my wife and I spent a few years in McCall, Idaho in the late 70s. While we moved back to the L.A. area (Van Nuys; then the Palisades, then Malibu for the last 15 years or so), we had a little cabin on beautiful Payette Lake and spent vacations in both the summer and winter in McCall.

One day I saw a post on TFO by a guy who mentioned something about McCall. I thought to myself, what the heck does that guy know about McCall? (photo left: The barn in McCall) Who does he think he is? I then posted something in reply; he as usual needed to get in the last word and replied back. He had been living in McCall for maybe five years or so but I had never met him, yet after some back-and-forth banter on TFO he said: “I KNOW YOU.” …Actually, he had met my wife, who had spent time at his wife’s (Becky) antique store in McCall.. .

From there my wife and I made a point to spend time with them outside of SC football when we visited McCall, and since we moved back to McCall fulltime we now see Shorty way too much. Just kidding, Shorty (I have to say that or he won’t share his wine with us anymore).

You and your father-in-law have had a special relationship, since in a sense you have USC Football as a very bonding experience to share together. What has the Trojan experience and the Herd experience meant to you and your family? And what has the extended family of the Herd meant to you?

Yes, Bill is an amazing guy. He has been like a father to me for almost 20 years (I never really had a father; my mother raised four kids by herself as a coffee shop waitress). When you meet Bill – and many of you have – what you see is what you get. He is genuine.

And you hit it right on. (photo right: Shorty, Bill, champs, Red) SC football has bonded us more than anything (golf comes in a distant second). Bill grew up in Pittsburgh and was both a Notre Dame and Penn State fan. It didn’t take long for his wife, me, and my wife to beat him into submission. Seriously, he has become a very passionate SC fan; in fact it is by far his number one college (his granddaughter is in her first year there).

One of the neatest things occurred when I took him to the Notre Dame game in South Bend four years ago. He had never been there, and he was ecstatic. What really made the experience great (besides Reggie’s brilliance and the thrashing of the Irish) was meeting members of the Herd for the first time. He knew of my association with the Herd, but he hadn’t meshed yet. From that trip he was made to feel like he belonged, and he tries to always stop at the Herdgates...Oh, and he still talks about that one night in a restaurant with Inga, Minx, Red, and Shorty (no, not the pole dance night).

There are a few seminal Herd moments; from "We Believe" to Thomas Williams jumping into the stands. And a few great Herd away game moments like the Virginia Tech game. Are there any special moments that you remember and feel a strong part of?

They are all great moments. That Notre Dame game I just mentioned ranks up there, and also Virginia Tech. I really enjoyed the Herd party that one year downtown where we started the campaign for the first golf cart. While it was a Herd event, it was not a tailgate, but a great opportunity to spend even more time with those you barely knew.

Other great moments: I remember sitting next to Brooks in Gugs’ special luxury box at ASU and noted that he wasn’t panicking at what looked to be an insurmountable lead by the Devils at half time. I also remember seeing the shock in Mojack’s face at halftime of the Fresno State contest. Good stuff…

Back to the guest Herder who said this: “Tell champs to regale us with stories about winter sports, especially powder skiing. And ask him about his dogs. Finally, ask champs about his new McCall house and if he's having a Barn Party and Chili Cookoff and if the entire Herd is invited.”

Gee, I wonder who the guest Herder might be? What, is he enlisting me to extol the virtues of McCall? I don’t need to do that. We have too many people around here as it is (3,000 or so)….But there is no better powder skiing than at nearby Brundage Mountain. I call it an intermediate ski hill, all things considered, but the light, deep, fluffy power is sensational. Tamarack, the newest North American ski resort in over a quarter of a century, also is a nice hill, but doesn’t compare during the powder days…Shorty snowmobiles; I downhill and cross country ski.

I have two Siberian huskies, one Malamute, and one German Shepherd mix. Three of them were rescues. If I spent the time to tell you about all of their personalities there wouldn’t be enough room for the rest of this interview. Suffice to say, I am a dog person…We also have two horses.

Oh, and ABSOLUTELY, the entire Herd is invited to our Barn Party and Chili Cookoff. It takes place at my barn here in McCall (I’ll email a photo or two), and Shorty is in charge of all the Chili Cookoff contestants. It is Sunday, September 9, and we have strategically set that date during the bye week following the Idaho game and preceding Nebraska! There is a small fee that will benefit a local charity, but for all Herd Members who stop by there is no charge at all.

The Herd and the Herd Forum has always been special amid the message board crowds because we all tailgate together and have become friends and interested in each other's lives. You've shared many different personal stories with us: the floods of Malibu and how it affected your house, the passing of your dog, health issues with your family...Would you care to share about how you involved the Herd in those emotional roller coasters, and what did sharing that experience mean to you?

Thanks for reminding me of this. Good thing my house burned down before the Herd’s existence…(photo right: Chaps) You know, it is strange that I felt comfortable in sharing some of that. I don’t recall consciously thinking before posting about those events that I needed emotional support. It just felt like a natural thing to do. I just wasn’t in the mood to talk about football (luckily those events occurred during the off-season), and just blurted out my woes...I remember Belle telling me not to take chances while the mudslide was closing in, and I also remember many who helped me with some kind words when we unexpectedly lost our Siberian Husky, Chaparral. We called him Chaps. The sweetest big boy of them all. That was a very tough time for me and my wife. The Herd helps in ways not always expected.

You are someone who has a good knowledge of the college game, and you're one of the biggest USC fans and also know quite a lot about the USC team. How do you feel when one of the Herd experts, Mojack, for example, let's you know how wrong you are in your opinion? And do you appreciate it when one of the Herd experts, Mojack, for example, take the time to really explain the college game to you and how the USC football season will unfold?

Football expert? Hmmm. Actually, when one looks up the word “expert” in the dictionary, the very last person one would expect to see listed would be…ah…Mo…ja …er…..Brooks?....

I know it is all in good fun. (photo left: Mojack lecturing champs on college football) I don’t think Mojack means anything sinister when he makes silly football posts. I really believe he is thankful he has someone to straighten him out now and then. He is, good, though, about making Pollyanna predictions by backing them up with facts. That’s what makes it a little more difficult when debating with him. Whenever I am feeling nervous about an upcoming game (which is usually every single upcoming game), all I need to do is express my anxieties and Mojack comes to the rescue. I admit he is usually right. Well, lucky, actually. Hard not to be with PC at the helm.

What do you see for the Herd as it moves forward? And what are your final thoughts about your Herd experience?

Nothing but the best will continue for the Herd. There are too many wonderful people that make up the Herd for there to be anything else but more good times. (photo right: champs' barn in October) I am so happy that it doesn’t look like the NFL will move into the Coliseum anytime soon. If that happens and the seating capacity is reduced I have concerns about our seats, but I don’t think that will become an eventuality. We are doing a great thing for the team and the players and coaches have expressed many times their appreciation. Think they would invite us for the Trojan Walk if they didn’t like what we are doing? Great to be a Herder. Great to be a Trojan.

The Herd Auction: A Mike Garrett Autographed #20 Handmade Jersey

2007-05-29T18:05:00.001-07:00

Current Bid: $500 6/06/07

The Thundering Herd is proud to offer a very special auction -- an auction which is being conducted in support of the Herd's fundraising efforts for the USC Football team.

The Thundering Herd is auctioning a new handmade 1965 reproduction football jersey, designed and made as close to the original as possible - autographed by 1965 Heisman Trophy Winner, Mike Garrett.

This item is a personal donation to The Herd from a collection of one of the members of The Herd.

Please bid competitively and show support for your football team.

The auction will end on June 6th, 2007, at 7pm. Please email your bids to USCHerd@aol.com. New bids will be updated on the blog on a daily basis. Please bid at least $5 more than the previous bid. The winner will pay by www.PayPal.com to gomw@charter.net. Shipping will be included in the winning bid.

Herder of the Week, May 26th, 2007

2007-05-26T20:23:00.000-07:00

MDog from The O.C.
HOTW - maddogOC
by Mojack

In having to think about one of the most consistent members of the Herd for this week’s Herder of the Week article, I thought of this Trojan gentleman and “consistent” was a good word to start with. This week’s HOTW is always standing with the Herd, be it home or away, always participating with the Herd on Trojan walks, tailgates (though we did miss his presence on campus this year) and fundraisers. Consistency and loyalty are very strong words that mean the person's tried and true, got a you-can-count-on-me attitude, and will always be standing for the Trojans to the end. A true diehard. And the Herd is lucky this person and his brother are members. So then I got even more philosophical and wondered if the whole of the Herd is greater than the sum of its parts?

I decided to do some googling, and unlike Brooks I didn’t type in “Is the whole sun in parts” but I did find this interesting statement and equation. From the USC Science Department, Professor Horace Bumhauser wrote, “As far as simple physical quantities like mass and energy are concerned, the answer is a definite no, for those quantities, the whole is commonly less than the sum of its parts. The key to this phenomenon is called binding energy, because splitting a stable object into its constituents takes some effort. In the language of physics:

Energy of the composite object = sum of the energies of its parts - energy needed to split the object apart.

At least as far as energies are concerned, this shows that the composite object (in physics lingo: the "bound system") is less than the sum of its parts.”

So I was thinking of the Herd and the energy that binds us together, loud energy of Trojan spirit, and using the example from above, though the Herd as a whole is awesome, 400 strong standing and cheering their hearts out for the Trojans, the whole is definitely less than the sum of its parts, because we have guys like Mark D. (maddogOC) as a member of the Herd. And Mark and his brother Mike bring a ferocious energy, a loyalty, a true positive value to the Herd as a whole that takes all of us up another level. So it is the sum of our parts separately that are greater than the whole, but wow, still, what a whole we have when all of us are together.

As Shorty wrote, “For a short fellow, Mark is extremely generous, funny, has a Cardinal & Gold streak that won't end and is better looking than Brooks or Yucca. Mark is great!"

And we don't need the USC Science Department to tell us that MaddogOC is a great supporter of USC and the Thundering Herd, and someone who through their efforts has made the Herd almost as great as the sum of its parts. MaddogOC is this week’s Herder of the Week.

How did you became a USC fan?

Here's my story. I didn't go to SC and never really considered it. I dropped out of high school, had the kind of grades that people have when they drop out of high school and eventually went to college and the my first year of grad school on the GI Bill. That and though I grew up in Southern California I left here in the late 70's I swore I would never live here again. That I have lived in Orange County for 20 years now is more about fortune than planning.

I grew up in San Gabriel and I have been a USC football fan since the mid-60's. My brother and I were raised by my grandparents and our next door neighbors were big SC people. Our neighbors were the Nungessers and they had 2 daughters and a son. The daughters and the son, Kendall, who was known as ''Butch" were years older than us and our babysitters for years. We were really close to the Nungessers and Butch was just great to my brother and I.

Butch was about 9-10 years older than us and he was "Mr. Everything" when it came to sports. Even though I was about 10 years behind him his picture was still in the gym at San Gabriel High School when I went there due to all the records he set.

Butch was a QB and had pretty much committed to John Ralston at Stanford. John McKay came out and saw him play and offered him a scholarship. That Butch's father played for Howard Jones at SC probably didn't hurt McKay's efforts.

Butch graduated in 1965 or so and went to USC. I was 9 years old at the time and his going to SC was just huge. Butch was our hero and my brother Mike and I were just in awe of the guy.

He played freshman ball and JV as well. It was the days of unlimited scholarships so a lot of good players on scholarship never saw the field for the varsity. Butch was one of guys. He changed positions a few times but he never played in a varsity game. When USC played Ohio State in the 1969 Rose Bowl Butch was the guy who emulated Rex Kern running the scout team. The was even an article in the LA Times about him. In 1968 he won the Sam Barry award for the player who contributed the most to the varsity. His years at SC were 1966-69.

Through Butch and his family we met players, notably Bob Klein. We got tickets for games with the 1968 Rose Bowl being the first game we went to. (photo left: the three M's, Mark, Mike and Monica) We owned the Rose Bowl in those days and my brother and I went to the 1969 and 70 games as well. We also got tickets to the 1968 game with nd.

But what we really got was rabid. In those days only the ucla and nd games were televised during the regular season so my brother and I listened to the games on an AM radio in our bedroom. I still remember the call with Ron Ayala kicking a last second field goal to beat Stanford.

Where we went to grammar school in San Gabriel you had to pick a side; USC or ucla. On the Friday before the SC-ucla game the students and teachers wore the colors of the school they supported. It was madness!

Tell us how you used to support USC, watch games, etc., before you discovered the Herd?

Alot of things happened over the years. I lived alot of different places and though it was often years that I didn't make to a game I always followed the team. I lived in Washington for a year in the late 70's and made the game in Seattle. When I lived in the Bay Area I went to the Stanford games. If there was ever a game on TV I watched it.

I moved back to Southern California in 1987 for the job that I still have. Between 1987 and Pete Carroll's arrival I probably made maybe 2-3 games a season where my brother Mike and I would just show up and buy tickets at the game. In those days I think it was Ralph's had a deal where you could get 2 for 1 tickets to select games that I would get. Back then tickets were not hard to come by at all.

I remember going to a game and having scholarship tickets. It was a real first cabin deal and the amenities there (your own beer line?!) were unreal. But one of the things that stuck with me was that my friends and I were about the only people yelling and everyone else looked at us, that is until they left early, like we were common louts! Nice people but you would have thought they were at high tea.

I had a feeling about Pete Carroll and when offered the "deal" of Herd tickets I thought "What the hell, I'll give it a shot". The rest as they say is pretty much history. Since the Herd got started I have missed one home game and wouldn't you know it was the game where Pete came up in the stands with the Herd section?!

What were your first impressions of the Herd?

I was always nuts about college football and completely over the top about SC football. My wife Monica who used to leave the house when I watched the SC-nd game can attest to that. Depending on your perspective, I suppose I've gotten either better or worse since with my affiliation with the Herd. While Mike has always been on about the same level as me, my wife Monica is now just as bad. I take full credit for that.

I live for college football. I watch every game I can and HS games as well. The NFL really doesn't do it for me though I follow former SC players. I can't wait for the college season to start and I religiously buy those preseason magazines. I used to buy them all which was pricey so I now buy maybe 3-4 of the same ones every year. I follow recruiting and though I am not an expert I scare even my brother sometimes with some of the stuff I know. My life and to some extents my vacation schedule is set up around Saturdays during the season. I have game day superstitions and the whole package.

Man, has the gamble on those discounted Herd season tix paid off!! I have met the greatest people and had some of the best times. I am not much of a joiner but this is a whole different deal to be part of. As I explain to people it is alot like a cult experience. There have just been so many intense experiences together and it feels really good to have been there from that first game where there were 45,000 pople in the stands and people were gripped because we didn't sit down.

There are a few seminal Herd moments; from "We Believe" to Thomas Williams jumping into the stands and Pete Carroll coming up and greeting Herders. Are there any special moments that you remember and feel a strong part of?

In terms of Herd experiences I don't think anybody who was at the kal game where they had 4 shots at our endzone at the end of the game will ever forget that. I am sure my hearing has still not recovered from that game. God bless Sean Cody and Mike Patterson. The times the house got rockin' because we incited it are highlights. The times that we've been recognized by Pete Carroll, his staff and the team and invited to practice or down on the field have been epic.

I work in an office where sarcasm and dogging people is the order of the day. My office has all kinds of SC football stuff in it and it is no secret that I am a rabid SC football fan. The Monday after the ucla game last year was like the trail of tears for me. People hate SC winning so I catch a lot of that kind of stuff and things about being a bandwagoner (forget I have been going to games for 30 years. I attended both the Fresno St Freedom Bowl and the Vegas Bowl!).

There is a guy in my office who went to nd on a football scholarship who I hear it from as well as a domer I started betting a few years back that the loser has to wear the winners jersey to work. To his credit he has kept his bet, last year even wearing it into court under a suit jacket where he was ridiculed by the judge.

I have a big collection of SC stuff. (photo right: The Changos and the maddogs) I have a closet full of signed jerseys, real game day jerseys and a collection of jerseys I wear to games including my usual game gear a #18 jersey in honor of Butch Nungesser. I have programs from every game I have ever been to. One of the coolest things I have is a wool football overcoat like the players would wear in really cold weather. It is from the 40's or 50's and is cardinal with Southern California on the back in big gold letters.

I'll say it again; I wait all year for football season to start. I can't wait to go to games. A big part of what makes the whole thing so great is being part of the Herd. It's not just a game it's more like a religious experience.

Fight on and beat everybody this year!

Mark

USC vs USC

2007-05-25T20:45:00.000-07:00

In September, 1952, I was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. It was the first week of the football season. I got very little news about PCC football in the crummy Fayetteville newspaper but I knew that the Trojans were playing. All day Saturday, I agonized over the game. It was frustrating, knowing about what time the game was going on but not knowing the score. I knew the Trojans were expected to be pretty good because they had Frank Gifford. It wasn't like today. Making a phone call home was expensive and there were very few phones in the regimental area. You had to go to the main post and look for a pay phone.

Sunday morning I got up early and drove into Fayetteville and picked up a Sunday paper. I didn't open it until I got back to the barracks. I wanted to be relaxed when I looked for the scores. To my surprise, on the second page there was a prominent heading, "USC loses to....(whoever, I can't remember). I was so pissed, I slammed the paper down and sulked. It was still early so I decided to go to the mess hall and see if there was time to get some breakfast. On Sundays, they actually fried the eggs to your request. On the way down, I threw the stinking paper in a trash can.

While I was eating, it dawned on me! The Trojans weren't playing the team that the paper said they had lost to. THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA! I ran back to the trash can but the paper was gone. CRAP!! There were only five barracks in our company and not many guys around on Sunday morning so I conducted a search. I found the guy reading my paper in the barracks next to where the trash can was. I explained what had happened and he gave me the sports page. On the very last page I found the nationwide scores and there in the section for "far west" I found the score. The Trojans had won. I let out a war hoop and the guy who gave me the paper was so startled he jumped. It was a great Sunday as Sundays in the barracks go.

A Note from San Diego Trojan Club President Ray Weber

2007-05-24T05:11:00.000-07:00

Hello San Diego Trojans!

It's that time of year again ! Time to welcome USC Head Football Coach Pete Carroll, as well as USC Head Basketball Coach Tim Floyd, as the beautiful San Diego MARINA MARRIOTT, [333 W. Harbor Drive, SD, Ca. 92101 , 619 234 1500] will again be the host venue on Monday eve., June 11, 6-9 PM !! This is the 6th stop on USC Coaches Tour 2007. Come greet Pete Carroll and make sure that your reservation is IN at this superb Annual Event, held in conjunction with the Trojan Club of San Diego. The Dinner is always very quick to sell out! CALL 213 740 4164 ASAP to the USC Reservation Line [$65 per person] and RSVP today!! This is our 'Signature Event' of the year so come spend the evening with over 400 SD Trojans, also your Trojan Club volunteers, enjoy the TMB Spirit Band , see the USC Song girls, and enjoy a festive evening with fellow Trojans! Pete Carroll and Tim Floyd will visiting each table AND they will be looking for YOU!

I'd like to remind you to surf on over to our web site below, for more information on the June 11, Coaches Tour Dinner and you can also STILL sign up for our June 3, 'Volunteer Day' in Ski Beach, as the Trojan Club of SD will for the 7th straight year serve water to 20,000 Runners at the SD Rock N' Roll Marathon! Can you wear Cardinal and give us 3 Volunteer hours? Register 'online' [See Events - sign up for our group, the Tr. Club of SD] ! See you at Ski Beach, at mile 20, on June 3! Reply back with questions .

__________________________________________________

THE PASSING OF A TROJAN CLUB OF SAN DIEGO ICON ....

It is with a very heavy heart that I pass on to you the news of the recent passing of fellow San Diego Trojan, associate, Board Member, friend, mentor, SD Trojan icon and past President of the Trojan Club of San Diego, Mr. Don Clausen. Don 'Fought On' vs. brain cancer for these last few years and passed a week and a half ago. Many of you knew Don very well as he had been the 11th TCSD President, from 1990-1992, he had been such a valued Board member since the 80's, he initiated and ran our tremendous TCSD Luncheon program for 16 years, was the driving force behind helping to raise the funds for the TMB's newest uniforms, he also spearheaded the selling of the 'Bring It On ' button fundraiser when Coach Carroll was hired, and so much more.

Don gave his heart and soul to USC Athletics as a Booster for 4 decades and as you may know, no job was too large or non too small for Don. Don was the ultimate example of USC Trojan volunteerism at its best and he has truly left his mark on us, forever! Please see our home page on our web site at www.sandiegotrojanclub.com, as you'll enjoy a great picture of Don and Coach Carroll [Coaches Tour, Marina Marriott 2005] and while there click 'the Tribute to Don' and read and enjoy various SD Trojans reflections on their years with Don, and his never ending USC Trojan spirit !! "Fight On eternally Don !''

DON CLAUSEN CELEBRATION OF LIFE

The Celebration of Don's life that he wanted us to have will be Sat. June 23, at Maderas Golf Club, in Poway, Ca. from 4 PM to approx. 6 PM . Don spent some time planning this service and asking several friends to speak and it will be a great day to share memories, stories and our love for a true friend. A cash bar will be there of course, at Don's request, and after the main service part, there will be some light refreshments to enjoy for those that would like to continue to visit. RSVP'S will be appreciated for planning purposes, so please call 858 430 3433 and please leave your name and number of people attending.

Don's wife Sally, and their 2 children, Scott and Carrie, have asked that in lieu of flowers, as an expression of your support, that if you so choose, a donation be made in Don's name to the:

USC MARIO DANELO SCHOLARSHIP.

Checks should be made payable to: USC Mario Danelo Scholarship. With Memo: 'In Memory of Don Clausen'

Send to:

Mr. Ron Orr
USC Athletic Dept.
Heritage Hall
Los Angeles, Ca. 90089- 0602

You will receive a letter from USC acknowledging receipt of your donation.

''Fight On !''

Ray Weber
President
Trojan Club of San Diego / Supporting USC Athletics since 1974
www.sandiegotrojanclub.com / www.usctrojans.com.
Raycweb@aol.com
H 619 282 3106
W 619 238 6216
C 619 200 1735

Song Girl Ruth Needs the Herd's Help

2007-05-20T15:31:00.000-07:00

To the wonderful and enthusiastic Thundering Herd:

I am currently Miss Los Angeles County and will be competing at Miss California next month which is the preliminary to Miss America. We are required to raise money for the Children's Miracle Network in order to be eligible to compete. If you could donate any amount it would mean so much to me. You guys are so wonderful and we really appreciate your enthusiasm and support at the games.

FIGHT ON!

Ruth Stainer

USC Song Girl 2006 & 2007

*If you wish to donate go to:

www.missamerica4kids.org/search and type in my name in the space provided and donate to my page. Thank you so much!

Direct link: http://www.missamerica4kids.org/m.aspx?i=13446EB5CC34+C&e=C4D3

Remembering a Great Trojan,...Don Clausen

2007-05-15T19:18:00.000-07:00

Former Trojan Club of San Diego (TCSD) President Don Clausen passed away on Friday morning, May 11th. He was 75 when he died and had lived in San Diego for years. Don had a fine career in law (Asst DA) and moved to San Diego in the 1960's to pursue his law career. He mixed with many USC attorneys in the '60's and realized the power of USC in his industry. Don grew up in the central coast of California and attended UCSB, but he came to embrace USC, 200%! Don is survived by his wife Sally, son Scott, and daughter Carrie. Don lived in Rancho Bernardo, just south of Escondido. He loved family, Trojan football and Golf !

Don was the 11th president of the TCSD and served from 1990- 1992. He also served the TCSD Board for close to 23 years, and ran our golf tournaments and since 1990 as well as the Trojan Club of San Diego Luncheons. Don was a great socializer with Trojan Football Athletic Club (TFAC) too and made many contacts with past players who would later become speakers at our Luncheons.

We have asked some of Don's friends to supply us with testimonials, and we'd like to share them with all Trojan fans.

Herder Mpron writes:

Rest in peace and a big Fight On to Don Clausen, a great Trojan friend.

This morning, I received a note from Don’s good friend and tournament organizer Tony Rubino this morning that a great Trojan supporter, Don Clausen, passed away at 7 am due to complications from an infection. Here is the note.

Our good friend and golfing buddy passed away this morning at about 7am. Don had to be admitted to the hospital, USCD Thornton, a few days ago with an infection that was untreatable. He was made comfortable the past two days and passed away this morning with Scott Carrie and Sally. Funeral arrangements are pending at this point. Don will be buried at Ft. Rosencrans. This will be a family service. I had a chance to take him there a few months ago and visit the cemetery. He also has asked me and a few other friends to have a celebration of his life. This will be done at Maderas Golf Club in Poway and I will let you know when that is going to be.

Please know how much your support of Don and his family meant to him over the past two years and how much having the golf tournament meant to him. Sincerely,Tony

Ray Weber, President of the Trojan Club of San Diego, writes:

When you choose to get involved in a new venture and are also picked by a special someone [that has done it all for 3 prior decades] to lead an organization into the future, it is a very special moment in your life, especially when it all turns out bigger and better than you could EVER imagine.

This was the case for me when about 10 years ago. Trojan Club of San Diego 'pillars', Jerry Ringer, who had been the 16th TCSD President, and Don Clausen, who had been the 11th TCSD President, tabbed me to eventually become the 17th TCSD President, in the 34 year history of our proud Club.

It's hardly been about me though. Jerry remains a dear friend and USC has done everything possible, on and off the playing fields by its 19 Athletic teams, to make my job easy. The other party who was the driving force behind me was Don Clausen, a man who like myself, who was a non-USC alum, and who eternally “loved the University of Southern California”.

You get to know people very well when you drive 2 hours north and then 2 hours south from a USC Event. You talk about all kinds of things USC and of course about life, family, sport and passions. It was Don who taught me much about Trojan history, the backdrop of his beginnings with USC and what made our Club tick. How right he was when he endorsed Pete Carroll, and who was I to argue, Don had been going to Trojan games since 1965 [both our first games were vs. UCLA - my first game came exactly 22 years after his] and Don and I came to believe, with emphasis, “that if you were a USC fan and you're in for a penny, you're in for a pound!''

Some of my memories of Don and the things that he stood for and that will last in my mind, were of course his tremendous courage and ultimate ''Fight On” spirit especially when he was wheelchair bound these last few years. He literally looked fondly down at the HERD with approval these last few seasons at the Coliseum from his new seating location...Handicapped, Tunnel 14...Don spearheaded the TMB 's latest 300 uniform's with his ''$300 from 300 Trojans” campaign. He also encouraged me years ago to fight the Friday eve traffic and get to what has easily become one of my favorite Trojan Events, “Salute to Troy.” I always told him, ''boy were you right about that one, Don!''

I could go on and on about Don and his volunteer contributions including those thousands of ''Bring It On'' Buttons that we all sold in the rain in 2001 at the Huddle, up on the PERISTYLE, or my assisting Don in many of his sensational, 15 years of running our successful TCSD Luncheon program down here.

Special appreciation to Don's family, wife Sally and two kids, Ron Fletcher, Dave Bahnsen, Tony Rubino, MP Ronny Hirata, and others that really stuck by Don, in his 2 1/2 year fight with that terrible brain tumor. We've lost another Trojan, but he'll quickly become another legendary Trojan in the Sky, with wonderful company, and at least Don had a ton of fun for these last 43 Booster years, and indeed, earned his USC legacy long, long ago….

Our Club has lost a partner and a friend and I've lost someone who made those drives up the 405 pass by a lot quicker than normal, while I marveled at Don, alike myself, a non alum, and TCSD President, and a passionate USC fan as well, as he entertained me about days of old in Troy. We lost a fine man, and one who knew what he stood for and a man that I'm honored to say, believed strongly in me and who was my mentor. Don has taught me how to be a Trojan and I won't be surprised if over time, I attempt to fill some of the same roles that Don did for the Trojan family.

"Fight On” eternally Don, always and forever, and like I've assured you these last few years, we have things in Troy covered for you big guy!''

DSchmidt wrote:

He was one of those guys that when you met him , you realize not only how special he was, but that USC must also be very special to have [non alum] professionals like Don, so passionate about USC !

Patrick Presley wrote:

Greetings from the Dominican Republic...here on vacation for a few days. I truly hated to hear this news, very, very sad to hear.

The reason I´m writing from the hotel lobby now after reading this is because I´m sporting my SC shirt and had an entire lobby of people start a conversation over that alone, and always an opportunity to share what makes being a Trojan special. Nobody personified this more than Don based on everything I heard from you all. So in my own small way, its to his memory and tribute I say, GOD BLESS and yes it is ALWAYS great to be a Trojan and he knew that better than anyone I am sure. Fight on,

A Tribute to Don Clausen Written by Dave Bahnsen

Yesterday morning, after a two-year plus battle with a cancerous brain tumor, the Lord took home to Himself Don Clausen. Don was my friend, my client, my travel buddy, and in many ways, my inspiration. He was the essence of everything Trojan, and he died as he lived: "Fighting on". He is survived by his saint of a wife, Sally Clausen, his two children, Carrie and Scott Clausen. More on all that in a moment ...

I first met Don at a USC football practice at the UCI campus in 1999. He was sitting in a lawn chair shaking his head at the ferocity of a Matt Grootegood hit. We began to get to know each other a bit that year, but then really became close friends in 2000 when Don (and Sally), along with Mike and Lindsay Stone, who would become our dear friends as well, were on the same Starlight Express train up the coast to Oregon that I was (we were all part of a Trojan excursion to the Oregon State game). This trip afforded us an entire weekend of hanging out, getting to know each other, and drinking. It was as much fun as a human being should be allowed to have (besides losing to Oregon State for the first time since before Richard Nixon was President, but I digress). From that point forward, Don and Sally became very close friends of mine, and as I was married the next year, us three couples began doing almost all of our USC travel together. I will never forget the week we all spent together in South Beach for the 2002 season Orange Bowl game (Carson's senior year), or the week in Washington D.C. together to start off the 2004 season. These lengthy trips, along with countless weekend excursions and other WITFAWN treks and Bowl games and so forth, produced some of the greatest memories I have thus far in my life, and I mean that as seriously as I could mean anything. That the Lord brought me to Don to enjoy all these things with is a gift I could never take for granted.

Don was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor shortly after the 2004 season came to an end, resulting in a January 2005 thumping of Oklahoma for a second consecutive national championship for the USC Trojans. After months of treatment at Loma Linda, and countless consultations with doctors, etc., the prognosis remained very bleak, and Don was slowly dying with a terminal condition. Nevertheless, Don and Sally joined me in 2005 for the Salute to Troy party on campus to start off the season, and I couldn't believe the spirits Don was in. He made me nervous running around to hug people and see folks (with his cane), but he was still ambulatory, and there is no way anyone off the street would have known this man had cancer. He and I were speaking on the phone quite frequently at this point (he was a client of mine, and we were speaking more and more about his faith), and I was taken aback by his renewed commitment to the Lord and Savior Don had known for decades, but who he had recently determined with a renewed vigor to place his trust in. He went to Hawaii with his family for the start of the 2005 season, and shortly thereafter, things changed. Don began losing his strength and feelings in one side of his body, and in late September was forced into a wheelchair full-time. In October, I drove Don and Sally out to Phoenix for the Arizona State game. This trip produced more adventures and excitement than I care to recall, but again, memories abound, and all positive ones, and Don continued to live his life day-by-day, determined to enjoy the time he had left with his family and with his Trojans.

By late 2005, and throughout 2006, the deterioration in his health and condition was woefully clear to any of us that spent time with him. His loving wife, Sally, left the pre-school she worked at, and his daughter, Carrie, left her job in the Seattle area to come down to San Diego full-time to help. Don continued on, but was 100% restricted to lifts and chairs and other devices that made movement possible. But he fought on. He not only made it through the entire 2005 season, but the entire 2006 season as well. A man that had committed himself in his retirement to abundant levels of golf, and USC travel, was now restricted to life in a wheelchair, where his ambulatory skills were gone, and his motor skills were extremely limited. I never heard him utter a complaint to me. He lived his life making the best of what was so far outside his hopes and dreams, it is unexplainable. He repeated to me every chance he got his appreciation for his wife and family.

Don and I had very specific and detailed conversations in 2000 and 2001 where we said (half-jokingly) that God would not take Don home until USC had won a national championship. You have to understand - at the time we said that, we may as well have said that Don would live to be at least a hundred. In 2000 we came off the worst season in USC history, and in 2001, we went a dismal 6-6, and the prospects for the future were just not in the lingo of "national championship" talk. Perhaps Don and I should have amended our statement after the Orange Bowl and Pac-10 championships of 2002, because sure enough, the Pete Carroll-led Trojans burst into the natty in 2003 and 2004, bringing home the trophy, and insuring that my prediction would indeed come true - God did not take Don home, UNTIL AFTER USC had won a national championship. Grace sometimes just abounds so much, that you get two national championships (and almost a third) ...

I can not put into words, and even as I type I am welling up with tears, what I feel about the model of love and support that Sally Clausen has been to Don (not just in his death, but in his entire life). No tribute to Don is complete without giving her the due respect, love, and support she deserves. Her reward is in heaven, but her acknowledgment should come now as well from those of us who love the Clausen family.

Don was so much more to me than just a client, football buddy, or friend. He was a man who had experienced delightful successes, and distressing setbacks in his life. He was transparent as the day is long, and lived his life on his sleeve in a way few people do. He never attended USC. As he told me countless times, when "those damn hippies" burned down the bank at his alma mater of UCSB in the 1960's, Don converted to a love for Troy. He was a highly successful past President of the San Diego Trojan Club, and he spoke about those experiences and accomplishments for more than he did his lengthy and accomplished law career.

The last two years have been a trial for the Clausen family in ways I am sure they could not even put into words. As we remember Don today, I wish to simply say that the last two years have also been an example to all of us - an example of what it means to live sacrificially, and die heroically.

Fight on, Don. You embody the spirit of Troy.

Heidi Slate Levin wrote:

My deepest sympathies to the family of Don Clausen. When Don received an award at the Pete Carroll dinner, my husband took a photograph of Pete Carroll talking with Don. Don was so overcome with emotion that the picture captured all the joy he felt. I wanted Don to have a memory from this special evening. We developed the picture, made it larger, and before I framed it, I got an autograph to Don from Pete Carroll. I framed it with the autograph and gave the picture to Don during football season at a USC luncheon. He was so sweet the way he thanked me for it. I thought the picture might be inspirational for him. I hope his family will look at that picture and remember the wonderful night that Don had and the wonderful times he had cheering for USC. When I think of Don Clausen, I will remember that evening and all the joy that went along with it.

Former Trojan lineman Ron Fletcher, '54-'56, wrote:

Sally called me today to tell me of Dons passing. She was very appreciative of the support of the Trojan family. His passing could not have come under better circumstances as he was enjoying life to its fullest until the end, ENJOYING his family and Trojan football. So many TROJANS contributed to supporting him during his illness that Sally told me that she truly understood what the Trojan family means. In there time of need it was the Trojans that stepped UP !!!!!!!!

After Signing day Garry P. met Don, I and his caregiver for lunch in San Juan Capistrano and Don was in seventh-heaven hearing about the recruits. On the way home Don told me about his plans for the celebration of his life and asked that I participate and relay the story about the Arkansas game. At this time he told me that he and Tony had planned out this affair. He also said he wanted to go up to spring practice.

We went to the last scrimmage and when I arrived to pick him up he said I COULDNOT SLEEP ALL NIGHT thinking about going. We left at 8:30 and didnot get home until 5.He enjoyed every minute including lunch with Garry and then a trip to the bookstore. When we got home we made plans to go to the John Morton San Diego Trojan Club dinner on the 30th of April. He had a great time and even had a couple glasses of Merlot and we began to make plans to attend the Pete Carroll dinner on June 11th.He was excited because his son Scott, who lives in San Francisco was going to be in Los Angeles on business for 7 weeks beginning in May and could go to the dinner with him.

Scott and his family arrived last weekend and they had a great family weekend and enjoyed a quiet dinner on Monday night. On Tuesday he did not feel right and on Wednesday had a medical event, Sally is not sure what it was but the doctors told her they could not do anything and she chose to let him go.

The funeral will be a family funeral at Fort Rosecrans ,she said that takes a couple of weeks to arrange and then the celebration of life will take place after. She and Scott are planning to go to the Pete Carroll dinner on the 11th as that is what Don would want !!

I did not know Don long but we had a special relationship and I will miss him and his spirit to fight on !!!!!!!! He gave so much and asked so little, rest in peace my friend.

Fight On and God Bless, Don

A Note from the USC Equestrian Captain

2007-05-14T21:49:00.000-07:00

May 14, 2007

Dear USCET Friends,

It has been a true honor to serve as the team captain for the 2006-2007 academic year and competitive season. It has been an incredible year; a year full of change and a year full of new beginnings. From two years ago to now our team has grown from six members to almost forty talented riders. Helping our growth in numbers was the addition of a brand new entity: the Western Horsemanship Team. It has been so exciting to venture into a new realm. Building this new team has also helped our region out immensely, in both support and recognition.

We have also taken on a new coach, Karen Perlow, who has helped out our Head Coach, Candace Devine, in maintaining the program with the addition of so many new members. Karen has been a true asset to our team, building up her brand new independent stables, GrandView Farms, while balancing the needs of the team all at once. Her knowledge from the “A-Circuit” competitive world has helped step up our competitive game and fight like Trojans in the arena. In addition, the English Equitation Team moved its home to Karen’s new location, the Paddock Riding Club, a mere 9 miles away from campus, which has allowed our members to ride more often and become more involved with taking care of our horses due to the cut back in driving.

Very recently, I had the honor of representing the Trojans at the IHSA National Collegiate Horse Show, with another competitive member, Katie Spillane, in West Springfield, Massachusetts. Katie Spillane received honorable mention in the Novice Equitation Over Fences, with a triumphant round, really brining our motto to spirit, “Ride On”. I had the privilege of competing in Open Equitation Over Fences and Open Equitation Flat. I received 3rd place in the Open Equitation Over Fences and was so proud to see University of Southern California flash across the scoreboard when they announced the results. It was an incredible experience to compete back east against teams from all over the country, something our Southern California team has not had the chance to do in over ten years.

I would like to say a big thank you to all of our supporters, sponsors, and fans who helped us finance our trip to Nationals. Without the fundraising efforts we put forth this year and the generosity from our sponsors and donors, we would not have been able to partake in this honorable event.

Looking forward to next year we welcome new challenges and responsibilities. Thanks to Jen Earles, our Regional President, and Sophie Rowlands, Zone 8 Chairperson, our zone will be hosting Nationals next year and the USCET plans on taking a big role in preparing for the event. If you are interested in becoming involved or donating your horse to the show please contact our new captain, Lauren Donsky, at equestrn@usc.edu.

As of for next year, I would like to announce that our tryouts will be on the afternoon of August 31st and the morning of September 1st, and our first information session will be on campus on August 30th. If will be attending USC in the fall and are interested in the team please contact us to put you on the email list.

Thank you again for all of your involvement and contributions that have helped shape this year into one full of fantastic memories. I will see you at all of the USCET alumni and fundraising events, next year and in years to come.

Sincerely,
Braidee Foote

USC Equestrian Team & Club
University of Southern California
1026 W. 34th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90089

http://www-scf.usc.edu/~equestrn

Wise Words (or lack thereof) on the Off-Season

2007-05-12T11:02:00.000-07:00

Poor Richard’s Almanac – Handling the Off-Season
by Brooks

Every year, we are faced with the problem of bridging the seemingly endless ennui known as the “Off Season;” that interminable time between the Bowl games and the start of the next season. That is approximately 8 months…or 240 days….or 34.2 weeks. I’m not sure on these numbers. Numbers make my head hurt. TroBob keeps track of these things (he is a historian and a soccer expert).

This isn’t quite as formidable as it seems. The period of time between the bowl games and the Trojan Huddle – January 4 to mid-April can be an interesting time period, or at least not as boring. (photo right: Brooks at Menlo and 39th yesterday, waiting for the season to start) We have TrojanOdyssey telling us what actually happened in the Trojan bowl game. Normally, this is not at all what we thought. We have National Champs and Mojack at each other’s throats arguing whether we will win every game next season easily or lose every game; both with compelling arguments. We have the old fart, Brooks, trying to please both of them by agreeing with both sides of the argument so as not to offend anyone; usually offending both of them and those monitoring the discussion. His ability to change black to white with statistics is also a time killer and a source of entertainment.

Then we have the delight of gloating and rubbing our victory in the faces of the fans of our vanquished foes. Some people feel ashamed about our total lack of humility and empathy in our overbearing superior attitude. Poor Richard says Bullshit! We’ve earned it. Besides, as Queen Victoria said, “Let them become Trojans.” As if we needed more Trojan bandwagoners clogging up the freeways and parking lots.

About the time we put our bowl victory to bed, LOI signing day is here. This is an entertaining week or so as the high school stars make their decisions. Amazingly, the ones who select the Trojans are fine kids with family values and character. Those who stab us in the back are gutless punks who we didn’t really want at all and who deserve the crime infested campus and sleazy coach where they will play.

Then we have March madness and the college basketball experts come out of the woodwork. TVofTroy, Brooks, Po’okela and Fast Frank explains the game to us while quiet unassuming historian TroBob walks away with the Bracket Battle money.

Now the Huddle is coming up. (photo left: Brooks is spending this off-season painting his bedroom) We kill a couple of weeks in anticipation; predicting who will star and who will flop. The annual QB controversy erupts. The vitriol and venom flows freely. Mojack and Brooks are at each others' throat. They begin calling each other and the respective quarterback candidates bad names. Trojan Odyssey steps in with his usual aplomb and objectivity and reminds them that both players are Trojans and whoever Pete selects will win the Heisman.

After the Huddle the customary arguments resume. Others get in the act. Violence is threatened. Guys challenge each other to meet somewhere to duke it out in front of the Herd. The date comes and no one shows up, including the combatants. Belle steps in and tells everyone to act like Trojans instead of Bruins. Calm returns. Actually, this period of time can be more fun-filled than regular season

But now we’re here. That miserable period of boredom is here! The Lakers are done so we don’t even have the NBA tournament. There is still around 115 days of unthinkable nothingness in sports. Sure there’s baseball and golf but who cares about them except the board losers like Grover and Yucca?

Here is what you have to do:

Young single guys: If you’re bored, you have a problem. Duh. Football or all the advice of Poor Richard won’t help you.

Married guys: Don’t let your wife know the season is over. I can guarantee she will be pulling you away from the computer, keeping you home on weekends, demanding conversation, movies, dinners and worst of all making you clean up the yard. Block out the sports channels, get up early every morning and pull the sports section from the newspaper. Wives, on the average, are pretty dumb and can be fooled.

Make up user names and get on message boards of opponents. Masquerade as a fan of the school you are messaging on. Bruin and Domers are dumb. Shorty once posted under a different name for 32 days posing as a Bruin fan and saying insulting things about the team, school, students and coaching staff before the figured out that he was actually a Trojan. Speaking of Shorty, he fools his wife by sending her on a month-long fishing trip with the girls (yeah, right, girls) while he tools around the inter-mountain states on his Goldwing.

If you live in the Los Angeles area as do most of the normal fans (not that out-of-town fans aren’t normal but we all know Red and Gretyl), you can go to Father Mikes Church after he does a wedding and shoot him with paint balls when he leaves the chapel for pictures with the bride and groom. (photo right: Brooks spent last off-season painting his trailer. Why didn't he use more cardinal?) You can hang around Heritage Hall and ask Pete if he’s going to turn Sark loose next year. Or why isn’t Sanchez really getting a shot at starting. Or why did he call a run on 4^th and 2. Or why wasn’t Reggie in the game. Or you can go to rehab and try to get over it. Poor Richard recommends that you face it. Put the tape on. Watch the game. Watch it again. Internalize it, so we don’t make the same mistakes again and to be prepared when TrojanOdyssey rewrites the game. You can get another user name and pick a fight with Manny and challenge him to meet you in Hesperia to duke it out and then not show up.

These are just a few things. Use your imagination. Only boring people are bored as Mojack clearly illustrates. Yucca isn’t bored. Brooks isn’t bored. TrojanOdyssey isn’t bored. RepoTazz isn’t bored.

By now, we are within striking distance of the season. Bob has started his count down. Vandal fans are on our boards talking smack. Mojack and Champs are at each other again. Mojack is giving 50 reasons why we can’t lose, Champs is warning against over confidence. Manny is still claiming that Sanchez will be the starter. Brooks, the toady, is agreeing with everyone (except Po’okela who can sound wrong even when he is right). The Tailgate planning starts. The air of excitement returns. Then suddenly, one morning you wake up and you realize that you have done it. You have lived through another off-season. It’s game day. Beat the Vandals.

Fight On.