August 2018 (3) Candygrams
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Friday, August 17, 2018---2018 Salute to Troy Part 2
I put my folding chair right in the middle of the aisle and sat in front of the podium.
Athletic Director Lynn Swann spoke first.
After A.D. Swann spoke about the Trojan Outreach Program, he introduced the two 2018 NCAA Championship teams.
Then, the two teams posed together on the stage. FIGHT ON, Women of Troy Water Polo! FIGHT ON, Women of Troy Track and Field!
The 1968 Football Team was introduced next. There were two players on the stage who were not at the Bashor Lounge Pre-Party. And Jerry Shaw was not present at the Salute to Troy.
From left to right on the stage, here are the Class of 1968 Football Alumni: Dr. Bobby Jensen, Ron Ayala, Jim Lawrence, Fred Khasigian, Greg George, Bill Holland, Bill Redding, Gary McArthur, Al Cowlings, and Greg ?.
Then, the Song Girls performed to the William Tell Overture.
Now, it was time to meet the Football Team of 1993. Coach John Robinson, Mike Salmon, and Craig "Gibby" Gibson.
Coach John Robinson, Mike Salmon, and Craig "Gibby" Gibson walked off the stage before Trojan Candy could take their picture. However, if you check out my "USC Football Alumni Club Salute to Troy Pre-Party" blog (8/17/2018) written just before Part 1 of the Salute to Troy blog, you can see their picture.
Coach Clay Helton spoke to the audience next.
Coach Helton started by thanking Dr. Bartner for the band's support.
Then, Coach Helton called up his Defensive Backs Coach Ronnie Bradford who introduced his players.
Defensive Backs and Coach Bradford.
Coach Johnny Nansen spoke about his Linebackers.
Linebackers.
Defensive Line Coach Kenechi Udeze was next.
Defensive Linemen.
Before Coach Helton introduced more coaches, he had Brandon Pili and Jay Tufele come to stand by him as he complimented them.
The Kickers and Punters were introduced by Coach John Baxter next.
The Kickers and Punters gathered for their photo.
Coach Keary Colbert brought out the Tight Ends.
Trojan Candy took a picture of the Tight Ends, but didn't like the picture. So I went to the left stage exit and took this picture of the Tight Ends with Coaches Colbert and Baxter. Then, I quickly went back to center stage.
Now it was time to introduce the Offensive Linemen. Coach Neil Callaway introduced the "largest" squad.
The Offensive Linemen were hard to squeeze into my picture.
The Tailbacks were introduced next by Coach Tim Drevno.
The Tailbacks were a smaller group to photograph.
Coach Helton stood in for Wide Receivers Coach Tee Martin because Coach Martin attended his son's first High School football game.
Here is the picture of the Wide Receivers.
The last players to be introduced were the Quarterbacks. Coach Bryan Ellis did that.
The Quarterbacks posed for this picture.
After entire team was introduced, Coach Helton called the entire team to come back on to the stage.
The Band, Song Girls and Fireworks ended the 2018 Salute to Troy.
Spirit of Troy
After the Salute to Troy ended, Trojan Candy found my grandsons and took more pictures.
I took a picture of J.T. Daniels and Kane. Zane in the morning with J.T. and now Kane. Thanks, J.T., and FIGHT ON!
Next, my sister Patti asked me to take this picture of Dudley and her with Christian Rector's family.
Trojan Candy walked over to John Houston and asked if I could interview him. John said that I could. John told me that he started playing football when he was eight or nine years old. He played at Serra High School. Just then, John's younger brother Jace (another future Trojan?) came to visit him. After Jace left, Trojan Candy continued the interview. For hobbies, John likes to work out and to visit his family. More personally, John likes Hip Hop music the best. His favorite movies are action movies (just like yours truly!). Next, I took a picture of John. Thanks, John and FIGHT ON!
I had a short time to take more pictures as the players were leaving. I saw Daniel Imatorbhebhe.
Then, I asked my daughter Kelly to take a picture of
Cameron Smith (12/13/2017) and me. We walked over to him, and Kelly took this picture. Then to my surprise, my grandson Kane had Cameron sign an autograph for me. Thanks, Kane!
Now, it was time to leave. On our way out, Trojan Candy took this picture of a "cute" family. They were Sophia, Elizabeth, Cesar and Sebastian.
With that, I say, "Good Night!" and FIGHT ON, USC Football!
Trojan Candy walked over to John Houston and asked if I could interview him. John said that I could. John told me that he started playing football when he was eight or nine years old. He played at Serra High School. Just then, John's younger brother Jace (another future Trojan?) came to visit him. After Jace left, Trojan Candy continued the interview. For hobbies, John likes to work out and to visit his family. More personally, John likes Hip Hop music the best. His favorite movies are action movies (just like yours truly!). Next, I took a picture of John. Thanks, John and FIGHT ON!
Now, it was time to leave. On our way out, Trojan Candy took this picture of a "cute" family. They were Sophia, Elizabeth, Cesar and Sebastian.
