Trojan Candy arrived at the USC Trojan Marching Band's Barbecue at noon. It was already incredibly hot!
Throughout the day, I met "new" friends and saw "old" friends. "New" friends sat at my table at the barbecue---April, Steve, and Garret Nakama; Janice Watanabe; and John, Mike, and Patti Madden. A few interesting facts about my "new" friends. I have seen April and Steve Nakama at many USC sporting event over the years, and finally met them today. April works on campus. Mike Madden, a USC alumnus, is an instructor in the USC Dental School. Both his wife Patti and son John played in the Spirit of Troy. FIGHT ON, Mike! FIGHT ON, Patti! FIGHT ON, John!
While getting my food, Trojan Candy saw two fellow Trojan Guild of Los Angeles friends. They were serving the delicious lunch. Christine Ofiesh (9/2/2010) and Sandy Johnston.
Dr. Bartner arrived at the barbecue around 1:00 p.m. Everyone in attendance sang "Happy 74th Birthday!" to him and enjoyed his birthday cake and ice cream. Yum! FIGHT ON, Dr. Bartner!
After enjoying the Spirit of Troy Pep Band, I met my husband Jim and walked over to the Coliseum along with Pat and Dudley to go to the State Farm Fan Fest.
Along the way, we saw friend and USC alumna Valerie Simpson. FIGHT ON, Valerie!
Then we saw friend and alumna Nancy Rosenberg. FIGHT ON, Nancy!
At the Fan Fest I signed up to win this USC car. However, there was no Carl's Jr. booth. What a disappointment!
Believe me, it was sweltering by now in the hot sun.
So Jim, friend Gail Nagaoka, and I left the Fan Fest and walked over to the Coliseum.
Christine Ofiesh honored Dr. Bartner with this message on the Coliseum video board.
Before the start of the 4th quarter, the Olympic torch was lit.
Our Trojans played tremendously well and Coach Sarkisian played every team member. We won 52-13!
FIGHT ON, my USC Football Team to another VICTORY!
My husband Jim, good friend photographer Dan Avila and I arrived early at the Loker Track Stadium to take pictures of the first rally the afternoon before the USC/Fresno State football game.
Finally, I was able to take this picture of the USC Pep Squad. They're ready for the game tomorrow. So is Trojan Candy!
FIGHT ON, my beloved USC Football Team! FIGHT ON, to VICTORY!
Trojan Candy was not able to attend the Salute to Troy football kickoff BBQ because I was in Northern California at my Grandson Kane's fifth birthday party. While I was having fun, my fellow Trojans in Los Angeles were also having fun!
Thanks to four tremendous friends---Sandy Johnston, Hal Keimi, Pierson Clair, and new friend Shane Foley---I am able to post an article with many pictures from the Salute to Troy event.
Good friend Sandy starts my article off with her email:
SALUTE TO TROY - August 23, 2014; USC Campus By TGLA member Sandy Johnston, wife of Trojan Footballer Rex Johnston
A PERFECT AFTERNOON AND EVENING with TRAVELER, THE MARCHING BAND, PAST & PRESENT FOOTBALL GREATS and NCAA Championship Team Winners!
OUTDOOR CROMWELL FIELD SOLD OUT TO CHEERING SUPPORTERS
INSIDE SHOTS included below of EXCLUSIVE ANNIVERSARY FOOTBALL RECEPTION
I loved that Trojan Candy asked if I could take some photos for her famous archival Trojan blog/website which captures intimate moments of Trojan athletics, spirit and friendship. Since my husband Rex played football in the 50's and was President of Trojan Football Alumni Club (TFAC) in the 70's, and we had both been involved with Salute to Troy and the anniversary teams for years, it was fun to get the guys together for some quick shots.
As people checked in at Heritage Hall, some individuals like Susan McKeever took the opportunity on this special kickoff day to go on self-guided tours of both Heritage Hall and the John McKay Center. Susan especially liked getting her daughter Michelle and granddaughter Tatum to see their famous dad/granddad's plaques in the McKay Center which is not open to the public on most occasions. We had former ballplayers joining our group for dinner including, but not limited to, alphabet player and Trojan Hall of Famer, former 49er CR Roberts (and his wife Yvonne, son Craig, and a table of grandkids); smasher of the Notre Dame streak and USC-ND scholarship lunch chairman Sam Tsagalakis (his son and nephew); NFL player Lou Byrd; sports broadcaster and QB Shane Foley; and many TFAC members.
People check in about 4 pm. Former ballplayers were invited by Dino Dennis, Salute to Troy Chairman of Football Anniversary teams, to meet at the Bashor lounge for a private reception at 3 pm. Since Candy asked for photos, we made sure to get them.... It did not occur to us that we would see Dr. Chuck Arrobio, DDS, who played in the Shrine EAST-WEST game after USC or the SHRINE ALL STAR game after high school. His son was an Annapolis grad and jet fighter pilot. We saw Gary Hill, another TFAC past president who played in the NFL. Jim Walker was a Junior College transfer and a terrific role model as a Probation Officer. Former players with Dino in Heritage Hall included John Mazur, who is a great speaker at Trojan Clubs, Ed Rogers - a former Marine, whose son was a Marine and flew Marine One with the US President, Kevin McPartland who has been very strategic in getting younger guys involved with the club.
My wonderful camera help included Gaston Escamilla, Jen Noriega, Linda Ward, Dino Dennis, Kevin McPartland and Rex Johnston - thank you to these people who helped facilitate our photos for Trojan Candy's website/blog.
Thank you, Sandy!
Here are some pictures that Sandy Johnston took at the Heritage Hall Reception.
Here are two pictures of the 1964 and 1989 Football teams taken by Shane Foley.
More of Sandy's pictures are in a Google Plus album. CLICK HERE to access the album.
After the Heritage Hall Reception, Sandy, Shane and Hal took pictures at the Salute to Troy BBQ.
I had made a special request of Hal Keimi to take a picture of the player who inhabits my Trojan Candy locker in the football locker room. The player is Gerald Bowman (10/25/2012). Gerald was born in Bryn Mawr, PA, which is a suburb of Philadelphia. My Trojan daughter Steffany was also born in Bryn Mawr! Thanks, Hal and FIGHT ON, Gerald!
Both pictures were taken by Sandy Johnston.
During the program two NCAA Championship Teams were introduced.
FIGHT ON, Men's Tennis!
FIGHT ON, Men's Water Polo!
Next on the stage were the 50th Reunion Team and the 25th Reunion Team.
Hal took these two pictures of these honored players.
My good friend Pierson Clair (8/28/2013), who was the official USC photographer at the Salute to Troy, came to the rescue again! He let me post his nine pictures of the football team by position. Check out Pierson's website at pc4photo.com.
To read Shane's "Foley Report," go to www.shanefoley.com.
The entire evening ended with a bang....fireworks!
FIGHT ON, my beloved USC Football!
Thank you again and FIGHT ON, Sandy! FIGHT ON, Hal! FIGHT ON, Shane! FIGHT ON, Pierson!