It was a HOT, sunny day in the Loker Track Stadium. The stands filled up quickly with USC track athlete's parents, families and friends, fellow USC athletes, USC alumni, track fans and some UCLA fans.
Several Field events were already underway when I entered the stadium around 11:00 a.m. Trojan Candy immediately started taking...pictures! As I walked from one end of the track stadium to the other looking for the "perfect" shot, I saw many USC athletes that I have met in Heritage Hall.
The first friend was Marqise Lee. He told me that he was at Robert Wood's home when Robert was drafted by the Buffalo Bills. FIGHT ON, Robert! Trojan Candy thought to herself, "It will be your turn soon enough, Marqise!" Marqise then went to warm up for his event, the Long Jump.
As the Field events were in progress, I saw more athletic friends who came to support their track friends. Here are pictures of
CLICK HERE TO SEE ALMOST 80 MORE PICTURES of the USC vs UCLA Men's and Women's Track Meet.
Unfortunately, our men and women did not beat the Bruins this year. There is always next year!
FIGHT ON, USC Men's Track! FIGHT ON, Women of Troy Track!
Trojan Candy always enjoys attending the Women's Basketball Banquet every year. My first Women of Troy Basketball Banquet was in the spring of 1984. Then, all the women's sports had only one combined banquet. It was in Town and Gown. The Women of Troy Basketball Team was quite joyous that night. At some times, even raucous! Why not? They had just won USC's first NCAA Women's Basketball Championship!
Tonight's banquet was different. The Founder's Room was strictly for the Women of Troy Basketball Team. All the current team members came dressed up in high, high heels. There was a team video, Senior Salute and a new coach. Twenty-nine years makes a difference!
The only Senior, Christina Marinacci, came in to the Founder's Hall later than all of her other teammates. She mingled with her friends. I was able to take her picture with some of her teammates and then with the entire team, except for Rachel. Sorry, Rachel! What lovely young ladies! After the team picture, Trojan Candy was able to talk with Christina. She told me that she was just chosen to be an intern for the Pac-12 this summer. Congratulations, Christina! You will be great in front of or behind the camera! After her internship, Christina said she will go overseas in September to play basketball. FIGHT ON, Christina!
While everyone was making it to their seats for dinner to be served, Trojan Candy was able to meet Gueston Smith, who came with Kiki Alofartuli. Gueston is an Architecture student at USC. FIGHT ON, Gueston!
She gave a poignant speech about her four memorable years at USC. Please CLICK HERE TO SEE AND HEAR CHRISTINA'S "SENIOR FAREWELL SPEECH."
Remember those glistening trophies? We finally got to the presentation. Donna Heinel announced the winners of the trophies. They are as follows:
Donna also announced that Cassie had just been invited to try out for the USA National Team. Good Luck, Cassie!
What an enjoyable, memorable evening.
FIGHT ON, Women of Troy Basketball!
Trojan Candy was lucky to be invited to the Women of Troy Basketball Press Conference that announced its new coach, Cynthia Cooper-Dyke.
Her Press Conference was very different from new Men's Basketball Coach Andy Enfield's. There were fewer reporters and only one video cameraman. However, there were many Women of Troy Basketball Alumnae who came to support Coach Cooper-Dyke. The current Women of Troy Basketball Team also came to show its support. And, there was lots of reception food afterwards. Mmmm!
The press conference began when Donna Heinel, Pat Haden and Coach Cooper-Dyke walked onto the stage. Pat introduced Coach Cooper-Dyke, and then she candidly addressed the audience. CLICK HERE TO SEE MY VIDEO of her talk. What a personality!
After the addresses, Trojan Candy took pictures of Coach Cooper-Dyke, her former USC teammates, Jim Hill, and other basketball alumnae.
