August 2016 (3) Candygrams

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Friday, August 19, 2016---USC Salute to Troy - Part 2: The Program

Luckily, there was a vacant seat at Coach John Baxter's front row table. He let me sit there in between taking pictures. I think that it might have been Coach Helton's seat.

Spirit of Troy and Song Girls
The Spirit of Troy and the Song Girls were ready to start the program.
Lynn Swann
New Athletic Director Lynn Swann welcomed everyone. He proudly announced that the Women of Troy won two NCAA Champions in the 2015-2016 academic year.
Lynn Swann and Beach Volleyball Champions
The Women of Troy Beach Volleyball team won the first NCAA Championship.
Dain Blanton, Kelly Dormandy, ?, and Olivia Asprey
Dain Blanton, Kelly Dormandy (2/15/2015), ?, and Olivia Asprey.
Emily Young, Jenna Belton, Jo Kremer, Nicolette Martin, Allie Wheeler, and Lorna Brandt
Emily Young (5/11/2016), Jenna Belton, Jo Kremer (3/3/2016), Nicolette Martin (3/5/2015), Allie Wheeler (3/5/2015), and Lorna Brandt.
Allie Wheeler, Lorna Brandt, Sophie Bukovec, Kelly Claes, Sara Hughes, and Anna Collier
Allie Wheeler, Lorna Brandt, Sophie Bukovec (3/5/2015) holding the team trophy, Kelly Claes, Sara Hughes (1/31/2014), and Anna Collier.
Lynn Swann and Women Water Polo Champions
Next, in this video AD Lynn Swann complimented the Women of Troy Water Polo team on going undefeated and winning their fifth NCAA Championship.
Melissa Bergesen?, ?, Sydney Blubaugh?, and Ioanna Haralabidis?
Women of Troy Water Polo Champions
Lynn Swann and Women Water Polo Champions
A.D. Swann then announced in this video that our Women of Troy won the Capital One Cup for Athletic Excellence.

Here is a description of the Capital One Cup.

The Capital One Cup is awarded annually to each of the best men's and women's Division I college athletics programs in the country. Points toward the Capital One Cup are earned and tracked throughout the year based on final standings of NCAA Championships and final official coaches' polls. One winning men's and one winning women's program will be crowned after the completion of the final NCAA spring championships. Capital One will award a combined $400,000 in student-athlete scholarships and the Capital One Cup trophy to the winning schools at the ESPY awards in July.

Our Women of Troy were awarded $200,000 in student-athlete scholarships.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Lynn Swann and both Women Team Champions
Here is a picture of both teams with the Capital One Cup Trophy.
Avery Peterson, Sara Hughes, and Lynn Swann
Water Polo star Avery Peterson and Beach Volleyball star Sara Hughes were holding the Trophy.
Kelly Claes, Olivia Asprey, Becca Dunn, Jo Kremer, Abril Bustamante, Jenna Belton, Sara Hughes, Lorna Brandt, Sophie Bukovec standing.  In front, Emily Young, Nicolette Martin, and Allie Wheeler
Trojan Candy was able to take this picture of the Beach Volleyball Champions after they left the stage. Sophie let me try to hold the trophy, but it was too heavy!
Clay Helton
I took this picture of Head Coach Clay Helton waiting to go on stage again.
Clay Helton
In this video Football Head Coach Clay Helton thanked everyone for their support.
Patti Poon, Sandy Johnston, and Elliott Schwartz
Then, I walked back to my table. My sister Patti, good friend Sandy Johnston, and Sandy's friend Elliott Schwartz were talking.

Luckily, when I walked back to the stage to take more pictures, the chair was still empty.

Coach Helton had his assistant coaches introduce their respective players.

Defensive secondary players
Secondary Coach Ronnie Bradford introduced his players in the above video.
Defensive secondary players
Then, the Secondary posed for Pierson Clair.
Defensive secondary players
Later, I was able to take this picture of the Secondary off stage.
Linebackers
In this video Assistant Head Coach and Linebackers Coach Johnny Nansen introduced his players.
Linebackers
Here are our Linebackers.
Oluwole Betiku
Trojan Candy walked to the side of the stage. I saw a familiar face. Friend Oluwole Betiku (2/3/2016) smiled for this picture.
Osa Masina and Matt Bayle
Osa Masina and Matt Bayle posed for me.
Defensive Linemen
In this video, back on the stage, Coach Kenechi Udeze introduced his Defensive Linemen.
Defensive Linemen
The Defensive Linemen posed together.

As you can tell, Trojan Candy was alternating between players on and off the stage. I glanced and saw my grandsons getting another autograph where the players exit the stage.

Zane, Rasheem Green, and Kane
Rasheem Green posed for this picture.
Special Teams
On the stage, in this video Special Teams Coordinator Coach John Baxter introduced his players. Trojan Candy is so glad that Coach Baxter is back!
Special Teams
Members of the Special Teams posed for Pierson Clair.
Reid Budrovich and Jake Olson
I took this picture of friend Reid Budrovich (8/22/2015) and Jake Olson (2/4/2015).
Tight Ends
In this video Coach Baxter stayed on the stage to introduce the Tight Ends whom he also coaches.
Tight Ends
The Tight Ends posed on stage.
Offensive Linemen
Next, Coach Neil Callaway introduced his "BIG" players. Our Offensive Linemen were presented in this video.
Offensive Linemen
Our Offensive Linemen.
Running Backs
From "BIG" to the "Horses" that they block for, Coach Tommie Robinson introduced his players, the Running Backs.
Running Backs
Running Backs.
Wide Receivers
Coach Tee Martin was next on stage to introduce his Wide Receivers.
Wide Receivers
The Wide Receivers.
New cheer
Then, JuJu Smith-Schuster (5/26/2015) and his fellow wide receivers had a surprise for the audience. Darreus Rogers started it. After that, all of the supporters were "pumped up with BOOM!"
Quarterbacks
What a hard act to follow for the next coach. Coach Tyson Helton introduced his Quarterbacks.
Quarterbacks
If you haven't already noticed, my goodfriend Pierson Clair (9/23/2010) is busy at work, too. You can see his beautiful pictures at his site, www.pc4photo.com.
JuJu Smith-Schuster
Now it was time for the entire team to come back on stage for "Tusk" and the fireworks. Trojan Candy caught JuJu taking a selfie on stage.
Zach Banner
In this video, friend Zach Banner (10/11/2012) spoke for the team and Coach Helton invited everyone to come to Dallas.

What a rousing program!

The third part of my Salute to Troy article will be about the "post" Program events. What a night, so far!