Trojan Candy enjoyed seeing good friends at the USC Men's Tennis match versus UCLA on Friday, 2/22, and the USC Men's Basketball game versus UCLA on Sunday, 2/24. Sandwiched in between good friends was a...Rival on Saturday, 2/23.
At the tennis match, I saw a smiling USC tennis alum, Daniel Nguyen. He is currently on the Pro-Tennis Tour and came home to see his family and the match. FIGHT ON, Daniel!
On Saturday Trojan Candy and my husband Jim attended the Cerritos Recreation Services Division Volunteer Awards & Recognition Dinner. He is the Chairperson of the Cerritos Parks and Recreation Commission. This dinner is given annually to thank our volunteer coaches. A "Hometown Hero" is always honored at the dinner. Pro-Football Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman was the Hero this year! City Council Member Carol Chen and I were able to get his autograph. In his interview by Mayor Jim Edwards, Troy spoke about his upbringing in Cerritos, the great coaches that taught him and his charity. Check out my recording of the interview. It's in two parts: LINK TO PART A and LINK TO PART B. What the heck! FIGHT ON, Troy! (He should have been a Trojan with that first name!)
Thank goodness, my next three friends are Trojans! As I walked in the upper concourse of the Galen Center during the intermission of the USC-UCLA Men's Basketball game on Sunday, 2/24, three familiar faces walked up to me. Naturally, I asked them to pose for a picture. Spring practice is just around the corner. FIGHT ON, Marqise! FIGHT ON, Hayes! FIGHT ON, Xavier!
Trojan Candy and her husband Jim arrived early at the Galen Center for the Women of Troy Basketball game versus the California Lady Bears. Jim went inside, and I waited for my brother Charles to arrive. Thanks to friend Jessica Onyepunuka, Charles was given a Media Pass.
Why? After a two year effort, Trojan Candy and Jim were finally able to donate the 1983 and 1984 NCAA Basketball Championship banners won by the Women of Troy! While volunteering at the Heritage Hall desk over the past two years, I would ask Senior Associate Athletic Director Dr. Donna Heinel about the banners almost every time she walked by the desk. I told her, "If you get the banners, I will pay for them." What prompted my request was the ceremony when Cynthia Cooper's jersey was retired and hung at the Galen Center. See article and pictures of Cynthia's ceremony and reception at www.trojancandy.com, (3/6/11). At the reception after that ceremony, Cynthia asked me why there were no NCAA Championship banners hung beside her jersey and those of Cheryl Miller, Pam McGee, Paula McGee and Lisa Leslie. Several other team members posed the same question. In Heritage Hall interviews of Rhonda Windham (3/19/10) and LeeAnne Sera (11/9/12), the same question was asked. Finally, Donna told us a few months ago that our efforts would be fulfilled. Hence, two new beautiful championship banners are now, thirty years later, proudly hanging in the Galen Center! Come to a game and see them!
Before the game, Charles took several pictures of the honorees and our current players during warmups.
Before the ceremony, there was a game to be played against Cal.
After the previous picture, each one of the eight team members gave us a huge hug and thanked us! FIGHT ON, Timi! FIGHT ON, LeeAnne! FIGHT ON, Juliette! FIGHT ON, Paula! FIGHT ON, Cheryl! FIGHT ON, Melissa! FIGHT ON, Rhonda! FIGHT ON, Jamaiia! FIGHT ON, Yolanda! FIGHT ON, Linda!
Our current Women of Troy team fought hard but lost to Cal. Next year!
After the game, Richard Murakami took this picture of Jim and me.
The reception was well attended by Women of Troy basketball alumnae, the 1983-1984 champions, athletic personnel, the entire 2012-2013 Women of Troy team and donors. The food was, as usual, scrumptious.
Donna Heinel began the program thanking Jim and me for the two banners. That was special!
CLICK HERE TO SEE MANY MORE PICTURES IN A GOOGLE+ ALBUM.
I want to thank my brother Charles for so many pictures that he took for me.
What a memorable day!
FIGHT ON, Women of Troy Basketball!
Trojan Candy and her husband Jim were invited to a Women of Troy luncheon in the Coliseum Press Box before the inaugural USC Women of Troy Lacrosse game versus Northwestern. The food was delicious. Our view of the field from the Press Box was unbelievable!
The 2012 NCAA Champion Northwestern Team took the lead very quickly.
Our women fought back and went on the attack.
Freshman midfielder Amanda Johansen scored the first goal in USC Lacrosse history. She actually scored two goals. Our other three goals were scored by midfielder Halaigh Dalmass, midfielder Paige Bonomi and attacker Caroline de Lyra. FIGHT ON, Amanda! FIGHT ON, Haleigh! FIGHT ON, Paige! FIGHT ON, Caroline!
Northwestern won the game 18-5, but our Women of Troy Lacrosse Team fought on until the end.
FIGHT ON, Women of Troy Lacrosse!