Trojan Candy left Swim with Mike to walk to the Spring Football Game around 1:00 p.m. Just outside the gate, I saw a familiar face. He smiled and waved. It was friend Davonte Stewart. Davonte competes on the USC Track and Field Team. I didn't take his picture because I was on the phone. Sorry! Davonte's initial interview on TrojanCandy.com was on 2/23/2012. Check it out! FIGHT ON, Davonte!
Walking on, just outside the parking garage, were two more familiar faces. Jelena Zelenovic (9/23/2010) and Kamali Houston, who both compete on the Women of Troy Rowing Team, stopped to visit with yours truly. FIGHT ON, Jelena! FIGHT ON, Kamali!
Once inside the Coliseum, I met up with my brother Charles Chan outside Tunnel 6. The concourse was packed with people, as were the stands. Only the South Side seats were filled with fans. The North Side of the Coliseum was virtually empty.
Charles took these pictures of the team in action.
During half-time, a $25,000 check from the proceeds was given to Central City Community Outreach Fund by Coach Kiffin and Marqise Lee.
The final score of the game was 42 to 36.
Let's hope that every one of our players gets and/or stays healthy! Trojan Candy can't wait for football season to start!
FIGHT ON, USC Football Team!
The weather was overcast this morning, but spirits were high. The layout of Swim with Mike was different this year because of the ongoing construction of the Uytengsu Aquatics Center. All the booths were located on the Howard Jones Football Practice Field.
My husband Jim and I roamed around as soon as we entered the gate. I went to take a picture of Traveler (Hector Aguilar is the rider) first since it wasn't very crowded yet. Later, Jim took a picture of the Song Girls with Traveler and Hector.
After leaving Traveler, I noticed that there were some young people holding lacrosse sticks. Trojan Candy knew that they weren't lacrosse players since one of them was a young man. All four of them told me that they were swimmers and divers, and they were just playing around with the sticks. Naturally, I took their picture. They were Cary Wright, Andrea Kropp, Rebecca Heyliger and Kate Davey. FIGHT ON, USC Swimmers and Divers!
Then, I saw several "real" Women of Troy Lacrosse players gathering together a few feet away from Cary, Andrea, Rebecca and Kate. I saw and said "Hello" to friend Ceilidh Meagher (4/6/2012). I asked her to get her teammates together for a picture. She did! FIGHT ON, Women of Troy Lacrosse Team!
Next, I wandered over to Kid's Corner, the children's art section. There were more friends there. Every year at the Swim with Mike, the Women of Troy Basketball Team volunteers at this booth. I take pictures of them every year. This year, friends Kate Oliver, Kiki Alofaituli, Cassie Harberts, Brianna Barrett and Desiree Bradley were volunteers.
After shopping at the "Swim with Mike Store," Trojan Candy saw good friend Sunny Shepherd talking with someone with a familiar face...Omar Nazel. I could not pass up a chance to conduct a short interview with him. Omar played Defensive End on the USC Football Team in 1999-2003. He majored in Social Science/Psychology. After graduation, Omar played on three NFL teams---the Seattle Seahawks, the Cleveland Browns and the St. Louis Rams. Omar has branched out into the acting profession. His acting credits are movies, such as "The Comebacks," "People Like Us," and "Horrible Bosses," and commercials. Now, Omar is interested in becoming a Fire Fighter. FIGHT ON, Omar!
After saying, "Good-by" to Sunny and Omar, I walked through a narrow walkway to the pool.
Next on the schedule were the Song Girls and Swimmers Relay Race.
Our football players lined the pool to watch all the action. I recorded two movies.
The football team had to leave for the Spring Game in the Coliseum. Trojan Candy was able to stop two friends for a picture as they quickly exited the swim stadium. It was so nice to see Jabari Ruffin (7/13/2012) and Soma Vainuku (1/21/2011) again! Trojan Candy really misses seeing all of her friends at Heritage Hall!
Trojan Candy took pictures of my sister Pat, Michael Yee (no relation), Grant Nichol, Dorothy and Craig Harberts (Cassie's parents) and Leland Waters.
I took this picture of Pat and Dudley Poon before they left for the Coliseum. My sister was the Grand Prize Winner of the "Win with Western USC VIP Spring Football Sweepstakes." More about this in my article on the Spring Game. Congrats, Pat!
After lunch, Trojan Candy walked over to the Coliseum to take pictures of the Spring Game.
The Spring Football Game will be my next blog.
FIGHT ON, until then!
On another bright, sunny day at the USC Loker Tennis Stadium, our Men's Tennis Team played the Oregon Ducks.
The Doubles were scheduled first.
Jonny Wang (4/20/2012), who has recently started competing in the singles, won the first single's match easily on Court 6.
During the singles matches, as Trojan Candy stopped to talk with Women of Troy Tennis Head Coach Richard Gallien, he gave me his permission to photograph some of his team members who came to support the men. The ladies are Valeria Pulido, Giuliana Olmos, Renee, Danielle Lao, and Kaitlyn Christian (11/11/2010). Trojan Candy told all of them to BEAT the Bruins! All of them smiled! FIGHT ON, Women of Troy Tennis Team!
We won all the singles matches. The final score was USC 7 Oregon 0.
FIGHT ON, Men's Tennis Team!
Trojan Candy arrived at the Galen Center very early for the Men's Basketball banquet. I walked throughout the Lobby searching for the team. Finally, three familiar faces came through the arena door. It was so nice to see friends Byron Wesley (9/1/2011), Ari Stewart (3/1/2012) and Renaldo Woolridge (12/7/2012). After a short visit, the three of them walked into the Founder's Room.
Then, a few seconds later, another familiar face walked out of the Founder's Room and into the Lobby. Trojan Candy immediately asked Brandon Granville if I could interview him. He smiled and said, "Sure." Music to my ears! Brandon attended USC in 1999-2002. He majored in Sociology and was the point guard on the basketball team. He has been a basketball announcer now for about 3-4 years. His main profession is in law. Brandon is a criminal and personal injury lawyer. His dad was an attorney also. Brandon loves to watch college and professional basketball and football in his free time. (Another Trojan after my own heart!) His answer to my last questions was, "I'm still eligible." FIGHT ON, Brandon!
Just as Brandon left, Trojan Candy saw Daniel Munoz walk by carrying his little nephew Michael. What a cutie! All three of us went inside the Founder's Room.
Inside, Trojan Candy was in her element! I saw several team members already sitting at various tables. They must have come in the side doors. I immediately walked to a table where four players were sitting. Strahinja Gavrilovic (11/16/2012), James Blasczyk (8/4/2011), Aaron Fuller and Omar Oraby (10/11/2012) all smiled for my picture. Then, Trojan Candy realized that I had never interviewed Aaron Fuller. He was nice enough to let me ask him a few questions.
Senior Aaron Fuller is from Mesa, Arizona. He majored in Sociology at USC and his roommate is teammate Evan Smith. A little about his family. Aaron's dad Darryl, whose nickname is "Craig," played college basketball at Cal State Fullerton. (Trojan Candy is sure glad that Aaron chose to be a Trojan!) He has a younger sister, who is thirteen and plays basketball and volleyball, and a younger brother, who is twelve and plays basketball. Two more future Trojans! After graduation, Aaron said that he will try to play professional basketball in Europe. His boundless effort and rebounding should serve him well! Aaron said that he likes all kinds of music except for country music. For his hobby, Aaron likes to play "Call of Duty." Thanks for the interview, Aaron, and FIGHT ON!
Leaving Aaron, I saw him there momentarily standing all alone...a prime target for another interview. Trojan Candy walked right over to J.T. Terrell, reached up to tap him on the shoulder, and asked him if I could interview him. With a CHARMING smile that lights his eyes up, J.T. said that I could. J.T. will be a Senior next year. He is majoring in Sociology, just like Aaron. A little about J.T.'s family. His mom and dad both played basketball at U.N.C. Charlotte. He has three younger brothers by his dad. His first brother is ten years old and plays basketball and football, while his second brother is four years old and also plays basketball and football. His baby brother is eleven months old. Three more future Trojans! J.T. is a fan of football, basketball and tennis. His favorite music is Hip Hop and R&B. For his hobby, J.T. likes to play "N.B.A." and, like Aaron, to play "Call of Duty." When Trojan Candy asked him if he had met new coach Andy Enfield yet, another big smile appeared on his face. 
J.T. has met him and is passionate about playing Coach Enfield's "up tempo" style next season. Again, J.T. said that he is PASSIONATE about next season! FIGHT ON, J.T.!
It seems that J.T.'s passion and enthusiasm was contagious. The atmosphere of this year's banquet was so "upbeat" compared to last year's. When the Spirit of Troy marched in, everyone was enthused.
After all guests were seated, Trojan Candy quietly walked to three more tables to take pictures of more players.
Then, I saw Dewayne Dedmon and J.T. Terrell together.
Dinner was delicious. The vegetables were encased in a bakery shell, and the dessert was a chocolate lava cake a la mode. MMMmmm!
After dinner, I spotted friend Zach Banner (10/11/2012) sitting with Tyler Sugiyama and Strahinja Gavrilovic. Zach came late because he had just finished spring football practice. Zach told me that he will play both sports next year.
I made it back to my seat just in time for the program to begin. Senior Associate Athletic Director Steve Lopes was the Master of Ceremonies, and he introduced Coach Andy Enfield. 
Coach Enfield waved to the audience, but did not speak. The 2013 Senior Class was introduced. Mr. Lopes announced that all the Seniors are on track to graduate. The Seniors, who were honored, were James Blasczyk, Aaron Fuller, Tyler Sugiyama, Eric Wise and Renaldo Woolridge. For some reason, Senior Greg Allen was not introduced and Senior Gio Fontan (9/9/2010) was out of town already playing professionally. Sorry, Greg, I did not find you to take your picture tonight. However, interested readers can check out your interview on 12/7/2012. Congratulations and FIGHT ON, all USC Basketball Seniors!
The Award Winners for the 2012-2013 Men's Basketball season are as follows:
Highest G.P.A.: Chass Bryan (3.32)
Top Rebounder: Dwayne Dedmon
John Rudometkin 110%: Aaron Fuller
Defensive Player of the Year: Jio Fontan
Most Improved Player: Bryon Wesley
Ryan Francis #12 Award: J.T. Terrell
Most Inspirational: Omar Oraby
Most Valuable Player: Eric Wise
Congratulations to all trophy winners!
The players mingled and enjoyed one another's company after the program was over.
What an exciting, memorable evening!
FIGHT ON, Men's Basketball!
Trojan Candy was lucky to be invited to the Press Conference for new USC Men's Basketball Coach Andy Enfield.
The Galen Center Founder's Room was bustling with reporters, camera crews, the entire Athletic Department staff and some men's basketball boosters and donors.
Then he told the captivated audience how he met her, that she loves college athletics more than he does, and how they are so excited to be part of the USC Trojan Family. CLICK HERE TO SEE MY VIDEO OF HIS OPENING STATEMENT ON YOUTUBE.
Being a retired teacher, I loved when he said that both of his parents are teachers. Coach Enfield stressed the importance of education and that his team members will be STUDENT-athletes first. Excellent!
The press conference ended with a few questions from the press. I recorded two videos of these questions. CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FIRST VIDEO ON YOUTUBE when Andy talks about his current new team. IN THE SECOND VIDEO ON YOUTUBE he stresses the techniques he will teach his players and how important USC Alumni are in the Los Angeles area.
After the press conference ended, each individual reporter (see Jim Hill of CBS) gathered around Coach Enfield or his wife Amanda for a more personal interview.
Trojan Candy is so impressed with our new Men's Basketball Coach!
FIGHT ON, Coach Enfield!
