My husband Jim and I arrived at the John McKay Center at 10:30 a.m. today. We saw the stands set up on Brittingham Intramural Field in front of the John McKay statue, but it was quiet. The only people we saw outside in the alcove behind the McKay statue were four photographers. To Trojan Candy's delight, the photographers were set up to take individual football player pictures. At 11:00 am, Head Coach Steve Sarkisian came out the alcove door quickly, smiled at me, said, "Hello," with a big, warm smile, and then was off to Heritage Hall. FIGHT ON, Coach Sarkisian!
Activities were ongoing inside the John McKay Center, but Trojan Candy was not allowed inside. Good friend, USC photographer Dan Avila was taking individual pictures of the Freshmen. Dan told me that each Freshman wore a coat and tie. NICE! The players were signing footballs for Ron Orr.
Around 11:15 am, the players started coming out to the alcove, one by one, dressed in their uniforms for their pictures. Trojan Candy was so excited to see her friends again! We are not allowed to volunteer anymore in Heritage Hall, so I miss seeing my football friends weekly at the desk and interviewing new friends.
Luckily, as players came out individually to take their picture, some of my friends stepped out to say "Hello" and give yours truly a big hug. Naturally, I took their picture and was thrilled to find out how they have been doing. Trojan Candy was also able to meet new football friends who stepped out to meet me. I'm sure that some of my friends told their teammates to also take a picture for my blog. Thanks, guys!
Here are pictures of my "old and treasured friends" as well as my "new and welcomed friends." CLICK HERE to view more pictures in my Google Plus album. FIGHT ON, all of Trojan Candy's "new" and "old" friends!
While we were standing outside the alcove by the John McKay statue, this nice, smiling man came to talk to my husband and me. His name is Jim Phillips, and he is a USC alum, just like Jim and I are. Turns out that Jim majored in Electrical Engineering at USC and took some Material Science classes also. My husband Jim received his Ph.D. at USC in Material Science. I told Jim that I have been writing a blog for eight years and gave him my Trojan Candy card. New friend Jim said that he was visiting from Minnesota and told us that his three sons are avid Trojan fans. Just then, a familiar face walked up again to visit. As I was talking to Nelson Agholor, Jim asked if he could have a picture taken with Nelson. (Now here's a person after my own heart and brashness....we'll do anything for a picture!) Nelson smiled and posed for this picture with Jim! Thank you and FIGHT ON, Nelson! FIGHT ON, Jim!
Next, a really good friend Lenny Vandermade (6/24/2010) walked out to visit with my husband and me. Trojan Candy is so glad that Lenny is back. Thank you, Coach Sarkisian, for bringing our good friend back to us. I asked Lenny if he would pose for a picture, but he insisted that I had to be in the picture. FIGHT ON, Lenny!
More "old" friends came out to visit.
FIGHT ON, Josh, Kevon, J.R. and George!
After I took the picture of George, the entire team, that was lined up numerically, came out the door at once. They walked to the erected stands.
I asked Anthony if he knew where Freshman JuJu Smith was. Right then, Anthony pointed to JuJu who just happened to be standing nearby. R.S. Junior, an upper classman, called out to JuJu and motioned to him to come over to me and take a picture. JuJu came over immediately and smiled for me. Thank you and FIGHT ON, Anthony!
Also, FIGHT ON, to all of our new Freshman Class!
Walking around, Trojan Candy took more pictures of "new" and "old" friends.
I told Su'a that I had interviewed his sister Malia in 2012. Then, I gave him my card but didn't have an opportunity to interview him. Next time! FIGHT ON, Su'a!
Finally, since many of the team members had already gone back into the locker room to change, Trojan Candy took pictures of lingering "new" and "old" friends.
What an exhilarating, but HOT, day!
Trojan Candy will not be able to attend the upcoming Salute to Troy, but I will post some pictures from my brother Charles Chan, who will be attending. If any of my readers, who will attend, have any pictures that you would like to share, please email them to me.
Thanks, and FIGHT ON!
