Friday, November 10, 2017---USC Men's Basketball vs. Cal State Fullerton

There was excitement in the air for the first game of the 2017-2018 Men's Basketball season. We were playing the Cal State Fullerton Titans.

As Trojan Candy was walking near the southeast tunnel, I saw a familiar face. USC Men's Basketball alumnus Charles Buggs (4/12/2017) smiled and said, "Hi." I had to bend way back with my camera to take this picture of Charles. FIGHT ON, Charles!

Then, as I was walking down the south aisle, I saw three more familiar faces. Women of Troy Basketball players Mariya Moore (11/5/2017), Kristen Simon and Aliyah Mazyck (10/11/2015) smiled for me. FIGHT ON, Mariya! FIGHT ON, Kristen! FIGHT ON, Aliyah!

Our team ran out from the tunnel.

Trojan Candy was finally in her seat. I took pictures of both teams warming up.

USC warming up.

Cal State Fullerton warming up.

Now it was time to introduce our starters.

FIGHT ON, USC Men's Basketball!

Friday, November 10, 2017---Women of Troy Basketball vs. Montana State

Tonight was the first game of the 2017-2018 Basketball Season for the Women of Troy.

Before the game started, Trojan Candy saw a familiar face in the stands. WNBA star and USC Basketball Alumna Ebony Hoffman brought her daughter Zarah to the game. Ebony told me that she is expecting another child. Congratulations and FIGHT ON, Ebony!

The USC Spirit Leaders also posed for me before the game started. They are Ace, Moriah, Mackenzie, Anissa, Jackie, and Gerardo.

Our Women of Troy Starters were introduced on the Galen Center big screen.

Sunday, November 5, 2017---Women of Troy Basketball Practice and Reception

Trojan Candy was able to watch the 2017-2018 Women of Troy Basketball Team practice in the Galen Center.

I took two videos of New Coach Mark Trakh and his assistants running the practice.

Second video of practice.

After the practice, the team huddled.

Then there was a reception in the Galen Center Founder's Room.

Friend Aliyah Mazyck (10/11/2015) posed with her mom Alane Paraison.

Coach Trakh welcomed everyone and had his team introduce themselves.

Trojan Candy had time to interview one player. First I met Minyon Moore's older sister Mariya. Mariya transferred to USC from Louisville. Mariya will be a Red-Shirt Senior when she can play in the 2018-2019 season. Here are the two Moore sisters.

Minyon is a Sophomore Guard. She is majoring in Communication and minoring in Psychology. She loves being a part of the "Trojan Family." For hobbies, Minyon likes YouTube, watching videos, sleeping, and listening to sound media. Her favorite foods are ramen, sushi, and soul food. Minyon has three favorite movies: "Step Brothers," "Bridesmaids," and "Titanic." She likes R&B Music and Variety Music. Minyon's favorite artists are Beyonce, John Legend, and Lauren Hill. Her favorite song is "Ex Facto" by Lauren Hill. Minyon told me that her most important things in life are "Family, God and academics." Here is a picture of the Moore family. Mariya, Cenne, Errol, and Minyon Moore. FIGHT ON, Mariya! FIGHT ON, Minyon!

Trogan Candy's last picture is of two new Assistant Coaches, Blanche Alverson and Aarika Hughes (3/6/2010). Blanche was a star player at Auburn. Aarika played for Coach Trakh at USC and graduated in 2010. FIGHT ON, Aarika!

FIGHT ON, USC Women of Troy Basketball!

Saturday, November 4, 2017---USC Homecoming Game vs. Arizona

Trojan Candy volunteered at the Trojan Guild of Los Angeles (TGLA) Booth during the USC Homecoming Festivities before the USC vs. Arizona football game.

Also volunteering at our TGLA Booth was USC athlete Lorna Brandt. Trojan Candy met Lorna when she was a Freshman on the Women of Troy Beach Volleyball Team in 2015. Lorna changed sports in 2017. She joined the Women of Troy Triathlon Team. Lorna will graduate in May 2018 in Business Administration and already has a job waiting for her at Capital Group in Investment Operations. Lorna's entire interview can be found clicking/tapping the "TGLA" button on my home page and going to the TGLA article on October 5, 2017. She posed with our TGLA President Jean Getchell.

Here is a picture of a few of our TGLA members who volunteered at our Booth. Jean Getchell, Patti Poon, Kate Farlow, Barbara Hance, and Terri Boyle.

Trojan Candy left our TGLA Booth and walked over to the USC Athletic Booth that was next to "Tommy Trojan." I took three pictures of our 2017-2018 Women of Troy Basketball Team.

Now it was time for Trojan Candy to go to the Rossier School of Education Tailgate.

I met my husband Jim and friends at our table. Standing: Alan Frechman, Patti Poon, Jim Yee, and Dudley Poon. Seated: Lynn Frechman and Lai-Tan and Genaro Carapia.

My husband Jim and I walked from the Rossier Tailgate to the Coliseum. Above are the fireworks near the end of the Star Spangled Banner.

Before the game started, friend John Jackson led our USC Team out of the tunnel.

Friday, November 3, 2017---USC Women of Troy Volleyball vs. Arizona

Trojan Candy was in a good position to take a video of the 2017 Women of Troy Volleyball Team entering the Galen Center Court before their match against Arizona.

Our team was introduced on the Galen Big Screen.

The match went to four sets. Our Women of Troy won 3-1. Our ladies know how to celebrate their victory.

There was a reception after the match in the Galen Center Founder's Room. Two members of the 1976 and 1977 USC AIAW National Championship Volleyball Teams spoke to the audience first. Debbie Green and Debbie Brown were on the first women's volleyball team that qualified for the (1980) Olympics. Their team was favored to win the gold medal, but President Jimmy Carter dashed the dreams of many American athletes when he announced on January 23, 1980, that the United States would boycott the 1980 Moscow Olympics if the Soviet troops did not withdraw from Afghanistan. The Russians did not withdraw and the United States did not participate in the 1980 Olympics.

Debbie Green did participate in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics which won the silver medal. Both Debbie's reminisced about beating then powerhouse UCLA for the first time and then winning the 1977 AIAW National Championship with the first unbeaten record. Debbie Green was an Assistant Coach at Long Beach State for twenty-three years and retired in 2009. Debbie Brown was the Head Volleyball Coach at Notre Dame from 1991 to 2014. FIGHT ON, both Debbies!

Coach Haley told all of the 1977 Players that they were going to receive a necklace pendant commemorating their AIAW National Championship at the Heritage Hall Reception on Saturday. Fantastic!

Lastly, Coach Mick Haley introduced our three Juniors---Victoria Garrick, Brittany Welsh, and Alyse Ford. The three players joked about their "funny" times with Coach Haley.

This beautiful cake commemorating the 1976 and 1977 Championship teams was served to the audience. It was delicious!

Thank you, USC Women of Troy Volleyball and FIGHT ON!!