My husband Jim and I caught a 6:00 a.m. flight out of San Francisco in order to get home in time to attend the men's tennis match against UCLA. We made it just in time for the 10:30 a.m. Doubles competition. Phew! My sister Pat saved us our favorite seats on the back row between courts 1 and 2. The stadium was packed with Trojans and some Bruins! Why? If we win, we stay undefeated in the Pac-12, and we win the Pac-12 regular season championship. The Pac-12 Networks was televising this match live, and their production crew set up a tent in the walkway at Court 1 that blocked all traffic. So, Trojan Candy was not able to take many pictures of the match.
Unfortunately, we lost the Doubles point. So, we went into the Singles with UCLA leading 1-0. Between the Doubles and Singles, there was a Senior Salute.
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Coach Peter Smith was so nice to allow yours truly to walk onto the court to take pictures of the Senior Salute. I walked out with Ray Sarmiento's parents.
Now, it was time for the Singles. Eric Johnson won easily on Court 5, 6-1 and 7-5. Then, Yannick Hanfmann beat the Bruin's #1 ranked Clay Thompson in dramatic come-from-behind fashion on Court 1 by 6-4, 7-5. Now, we were ahead 2-1 over the Bruins.
At this time, a friend stood next to Trojan Candy. It was alumnus Steve Johnson! Steve said, "Hello," and said he tries to come back to his alma mater every time he is in town. What a day to come and be in town!! FIGHT ON, Steve!
FIGHT ON, USC Men's Tennis!
Trojan Candy attended the USC Coaches Clinic, thinking that it would be similar to Football 101. It wasn't. The Coaches Clinic was very detailed and technical. Only four women were in attendance, among more than one hundred high school football coaches. Pretty good odds. One of the ladies was a high school coach, while the other three were my sister Pat, friend Doris Hughes and yours truly.
Every USC football coach presented to the coaches. The highlight of the day was that we were able to walk onto the field for football practice.
The next highlight of the day for Trojan Candy was sitting on the patio outside of the little Galen Center where lunch was to be served. Why was it a highlight? Eleven football friends walked into little Galen for lunch, and Trojan Candy took pictures of each one of them!
FIGHT ON, my football friends!
In the afternoon session, all the coaches were allowed to use the facilities in the Football Locker Room. That gave Trojan Candy an opportunity to check out my locker that I donated. Unfortunately, there was no name over my locker. There was a note for "Jack." I heard that position players will not be located together. Coach Sarkisian will mix up the locker assignments. Trojan Candy can't wait to see who will be in my locker in the fall. Stay tuned!
The Coaches Clinic ended with a reception at John McKay's. Coach Clay Helton told Trojan Candy that Coach Sarkisian will have a Football 101 for the Ladies too.
What a busy, informative and memorable day!
It is so fortunate that Trojan Candy came early to the Women of Troy match versus ASU.
I saw the scoreboard flashing, "congratulation seniors!" I had thought that our two Seniors would be honored tomorrow, since that would be the final home match of the regular season. But, Coach Gallien had to change the ceremony to a day earlier. Trojan Candy grabbed her camera, went downstairs with Brynn Boren's parents and walked onto the court with them. Luckily, Coach Gallien, whom I used to see every week when I volunteered at Heritage Hall, smiled at me and let me join the ceremony. Thanks, Coach Gallien!
Later, my husband Jim and I spoke with Brynn's mom Jean since they sat in the row in front of us. Jean told us that Brynn's dad Barry was a professional tennis player! So glad that Brynn is a Trojan!
Trojan Candy was determined to interview our injured player, Junior Sabrina Santamaria. She was sitting with friend SID Darcy Couch, but I didn't want to disturb them or any other spectators. As I was seated in the stands, I saw Sabrina walking behind me. I caught up with her and asked if I could interview her. With a big, beautiful smile, she said, "Yes." Sabrina is majoring in International Relations. She intends to enroll in summer school and hopes that she will be awarded a red-shirt year because of her injury (I do too!). Luckily, her pain has subsided. On a more personal level, Sabrina loves to play golf on the weekends (wonder if Coach Andrea Gaston knows this?). She loves Mexican, Greek and Italian food. Sabrina's favorite movie is "Clueless." 
She likes to listen to Rap and Hip Hop music. Playing both singles and doubles in tennis tournaments, Sabrina has traveled to eleven countries in Europe. After graduating from USC, Trojan Candy is sure that she will travel even more when she plays on the pro circuit! FIGHT ON, Sabrina!
Our Women of Troy Tennis Team prevailed over the Sun Devils 4-2.
Good luck in the NCAA's!
FIGHT ON, USC Women's Tennis Team!