August (3) 2024 Candygrams

Friday, August 23, 2024---USC Football Salute to Troy Part 2

This is Part 2 of the 2024 Salute to Troy. To see Part 1, use the PREVIOUS PAGE button. Trojan Candy had to stop taking pictures around the tables, because the program was starting. I walked up to the front of the stage to take pictures and videos. My husband Jim took videos from our table.

Our Spirit of Troy and Song Girls performed "Fight On."

The Spirit of Troy played the "Star Spangled Banner" as the Song Girls saluted the American flag.

The first speaker was our Director of Athletics Jen Cohen.

Then USC President Carol L. Folt joined Jen Cohen on the stage.

President Carol L. Folt delivered an energetic speech to all of the Trojan football supporters and their families. She honored our football team’s GPA. She honored our USC Olympic Team competitors. Then she asked our NCAA Champion Women of Troy Beach Volleyball Team to come onto the stage!

Next, Dain Blanton, Head Coach of our Women of Troy FOUR time NCAA Champion Beach Volleyball Team spoke and talked about his team.

After the Beach Volleyball team left the stage, I went to congratulate Coach Dain, and he let me take their picture.

The Bob Chandler Award was next. Coach Riley let me take a picture of him with the soon to be announced Bob Chandler Award recipient Zion Branch. Congratulations Zion.

Marilyn Chandler described her late husband Bob Chandler's life as a football player and the Bob Chandler Award. Brenda (?) announced this year's Award winner as being Zion Branch. Congratulations, Zion!

Director of Player Engagement Jenna Mohiuddin described the new football facilities and talked about the 1999 and 1974 football teams.

Meet the members of the 50th Anniversary team (the 1974 National Championship Team) up close.

These were the members of the 1974 Football team who attended Salute to Troy: Mario Celotto, Dale Logie, Clay Matthews, Dale Mitchell, Jeff Whitfield, Pat Morris, Greg Marderian, Melvin Jackson, Jim Obradovich, Shelton Diggs, Anthony Davis, Joe Davis, Mark Spino, Ed Powell, Allen Carter, Randy Simmrin, Mike Terry, Kevin McPartland, Danny Reece, and Trainer Paul Williams.

Then enjoy a second video of the 1974 team.

Danny Reece was the spokesman for the 1974 football team.

Members of the 1974 team posed for this picture.

Members of the 1999 football team were announced next. Omar Nazel(4/13/2013) spoke for the 1999 team. Here is my video of the class of 1999.

These were the members of the 1999 Football team who attended Salute to Troy: Joe Boskovich, Zack Wilson, Danny Fletcher, Chad Brooks?, John Fox, Dickson, and Omar Nazel.

Members of the 1999 football team posed for this picture.

Director of Football Operations Clarke Stroud announced the winner of the Marv Goux Award, Ronnie Lott. Unfortunately, Ronnie was unable to attend. Congratulations, Ronnie Lott! Hopefully he’ll be able to attend next year’s Salute to Troy and accept his award. Clarke also introduced Coach Lincoln Riley.

Now it was time to meet the Coaches and the Players. First, Coach Lincoln Riley welcomed new Director of Player Development Mike Williams to speak.

Coach Riley spoke next. He stressed that “We will continue to FIGHT ON!”

Clarke Stroud described our new Defensive Coordinator D’Anton Lynn and Secondary Coach Doug Belk. D'Anton and Doug spoke about our Defense. Then the Safeties and Cornerbacks were introduced.

The Safeties and Cornerbacks posed for a picture.

Clarke Stroud described Assistant Head Coach for Defense/Linebackers Coach Matt Entz. Coach Entz talked about the defensive players and then they were introduced.

This is a closer view of Coach Entz talking and the Linebackers being introduced.

The Linebackers posed for a picture.

Clarke Stroud introduced Defensive Ends (DE) Coach Shaun Nua. Coach Nua talked about working with the Defensive Ends. Then the DE's were introduced.

The Defensive Ends posed for this picture.

Clarke Stroud introduced Defensive Line Coach Eric Henderson. Coach Henderson talked about his players. Then they were introduced.

The Defensive Line players then posed for a picture.

Clarke Stroud introduced Special Teams Coordinator Ryan Dougherty. Coach Dougherty talked about his players. Then they were introduced.

The Special Teams players then posed for a picture.

Clarke Stroud introduced Tight Ends Coach Zach Hanson who spoke about the Tight Ends. Then his Tight Ends were announced.

The Tight Ends then posed for a picture.

Clarke Stroud introduced Running Backs Coach Anthony Jones Jr, who talked about his players. Then the Running Backs were introduced.

The Running Backs posed for a picture.

Clarke Stroud introduced Offensive Line Coach Josh Henson who talked about his players. Then the Offensive Linemen were introduced.

The Offensive Line posed for a picture.

Clarke Stroud introduced Wide Receivers Coach Dennis Simmons who spoke. Then the Wide Receivers were introduced.

The Wide Receivers posed for a picture.

Clarke Stroud introduced Quarterback Coach Luke Huard who talked about his quarterbacks. Then his Quarterbacks were the last players to be introduced.

The Quarterbacks posed for a picture.

The entire Team went on the stage. #79 Jonah Monheim and Akili Arnold represented the team and both spoke to the audience.

Here's another video of Jonah and Akili talking.

Fireworks ended the program.

After being so busy taking pictures and videos, Trojan Candy walked back to my table. Thank goodness, my dinner was still there. I decided to take my dinner home.

[104] Before leaving, I took pictures of my friends at our table. My husband Jim, Lai Tan Carapia, and Patti Poon

[105] Larry and Wandy Jung, Sandy Johnston

[106] Lai Tan Carapia, Patti Poon, Cheryl Schwartz, Sandy Johnston

In front were Lai Tan and Genaro Carapia and Patti Poon. In back were Michael Yee and Dudley Poon.

[108] Senior Associate Athletic Director Cody and Donna Worsham and Associate Athletic Director for Development Dr. Parker Poliakoff smiled for Trojan Candy.

KEEP FIGHTING ON!

Beat LSU!