Trojan Candy arrived at the Ronald Tutor Campus Center right at 4:00 pm. It was hard to drive around the campus because streets were closed for the L.A. Rams game. I attended the TBAA Dinner because I know the three recipients who were being honored. They were Rex Johnston, Don Winston and Dr. Arthur C. Bartner.
The Grand Ballroom was bustling with activity. After I checked in, Trojan Candy began taking pictures immediately.
Next, I saw five large posters. Naturally, out of curiosity, I walked to each one and took a picture. They were the nominees for the 2017 Baseball Awards, and USC Head Baseball Coach Dan Hubbs would announce the winners of each category.
Here are the ballots.
Then I saw them. The entire 2018 USC Baseball Team was sitting at four tables. Not being shy, Trojan Candy walked up to Table 24 first, took their picture and asked them to write their names in my notebook. I followed this same procedure for each of the four tables.
Here is your 2018 USC Baseball Team.
Phew! Trojan Candy got everyone! FIGHT ON, USC Baseball!
Everyone heard them marching in. The Spirit of Troy, compliments of Rex and Sandy Johnston, entertained the guests.
After dinner, Baseball Head Coach Dan Hubbs came to the podium to announce the winners of the five awards.
Trojan Candy was right there to take their pictures.
The fifth winner of the "Best Single Game Hitting" was Adalberto Carillo, who was not in attendance. Congratulations and FIGHT ON, Lars, Christian, C.J., Chris, and Adalberto!
Now, it was time to honor Dr. Art Bartner, Rex Johnston and Don Winston. USC football alumnus Shane Foley was the Master of Ceremonies.
I saw TGLA friend Carol Fox and Chris Fox.
It was Rex Johnston's turn next. Rex spoke briefly, and then his friend and 1958 Baseball teammate Ken Miller continued the presentation.
Ken told the audience that Rex was an inspiration to the team. Several of Rex's teammates were in attendance. In 1958 USC was the NCAA Baseball Champion under legendary Coach Rod Dedeaux. The team won the Championship game in the 12th inning against Missouri. Rex was on third base and scored the winning run! Ken continued. He said that Rex was the first professional athlete to play for two teams in one city. He played for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1960 and the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1964 and is the only athlete to have played for both these teams. What an athlete! FIGHT ON, Rex!
After Shane Foley honored Rex with the Lifetime Achievement Award and presented him a Trojan Baseball Award bottle of wine, Rex joined Shane and Dr. Bartner for this picture.
Steve Lopes introduced Don Winston. He said that Don and his wife Marcie have been married for sixty-one years. Their grandson Liam is majoring in Business now at USC. Don was an innovator in fund raising. He had been awarded the USC "Legend of Troy Award" for his achievements.
When Don took the podium, he described his experiences at Pomona College first. Then he spoke about some of his fund-raising accomplishments at USC. Finally, Don talked about his good friend Lou Zamperini. Don told us how Lou's USC ring twice saved his life. When Lou's plane crashed into the ocean, his USC ring got caught onto the window and kept Lou protected inside the plane during the crash. The second time, after Lou was captured by the Japanese, there was a Japanese officer who decided if a POW was to live or die. This officer would either send the POW into the jungle to be killed or into the concentration camp to live. 
Amazingly, this Japanese officer attended USC before WWII. When he saw Lou's USC ring, he sent Lou to the camp to live. Don told us that another movie is being made about Lou Zamperini's astonishing life. FIGHT ON Lou! FIGHT ON, Don!
After Don was honored with the Jay Jaffe Spirit of Troy Award and presented with a Trojan Baseball Award bottle of wine, Steve and Don posed together.
Right after the program ended, Trojan Candy ran to take pictures of each honoree.
What an eventful TBAA dinner!
