My husband Jim and I were walking to the Galen Center parking lot, when I heard someone say, "Hi, Candy." I turned around and didn't recognize his face. Then, he said, "I'm Da'John. You probably don't recognize me since I've lost 70 pounds." As soon as he said, "Da'John," Jim and I both remembered his name..'. Da'John Harris (4/17/2009), along with football teammates Jurrell Casey (9/3/2009), Armond Armstead (4/24/2009) and Tyron Smith (9/9/2010) used to stop by the Heritage Hall desk where Jim and I were volunteering. Da'John said that he is still close to his three former roommates. At USC Da'John is working towards his Master's Degree in Social Work. He told us that, "Education is everything." What a wise young Trojan! It was so nice to see him again. FIGHT ON, Da'John!
Da'John was going home after a day of classes, while Jim and I got items from our car and went to the Men's Volleyball match versus Hawaii. Last night, our men lost a close match to the Rainbows in five sets, 3 to 2. Tonight, Trojan Candy thought that our men would win, so I decided to cover the match.
Hawaii won sets two and three. So our men had to win the fourth set. and we did 26-24.
The Pac-12 interviewed #25 Lucas Yoder after the victory.
What an exciting victory!
It was a tremendously hot afternoon. Thank goodness the Athletic Department wisely put up a large tent over the seating area. Since my husband Jim and I arrived early, Trojan Candy was able to get an excellent seat to take pictures.
Now, it was time for the program to begin. Senior Associate Athletic Director Steve Lopes gave the opening remarks. He thanked all the donors who made the renovation possible. Next, five speakers spoke.
Women of Troy Head Coach Richard Gallien told the audience, "Thank you. We now have a home. It's like a family day every day to work in this building."
Men's Head Coach Peter Smith said that, "This feels like winning a national championship! I go to school every day. I'm blessed to do something that I really love. Thank you!"
Following the coaches, two tennis team members spoke. Both are the only Senior on their respective teams.
Women of Troy Senior GiuGiu Olmos (2/28/2015) told us that, "Our team is so excited. We have many fond memories in the old stadium. But, now we're getting a brand new home."
Senior Max deVroome related a story about what Coach Smith told him in 2014. Max said that he was trying to clinch the national championship for his team when Coach Smith told him, "If you clinch this match now, we'll get the most amazing stadium." Max said, "I clinched and we got this stadium." From the audience, Coach Smith shouted out, "Fight On Max!
Donor Gary Buntman said of his donation, "It was time to step up and make this facility match or exceed any other facility in the nation."
As we left the Learning Studio, Jim told me that the entire men's team was taking pictures in the front of the tennis stadium. Trojan Candy was out the front door just like that.
As we were enjoying the refreshments, I saw a familiar face. Tennis Freshman Logan Smith was standing right next to us. He smiled at us and agreed to let me interview him. Logan already knew that Jim and I met his mom, dad and sister after the Tulane victory. Logan, who has played competitive tennis for six years, said that his dad played tennis and his younger sister is learning. Another future Trojan? Logan chose USC because Coach Smith is great, there are good resources, and USC is a great program. I second that! On a more personal level, Logan is majoring in Communications. He likes to hang out with his teammates and play Ultimate Frisbee. His favorite food is spicy Mexican food. He loves to eat at Chipotle. Logan told me that he is taking a dance class at USC and loves to dance "hip hop." He likes music with a good beat and CDM music is his favorite. Logan's favorite two movies are "Good Will Hunting" and the first "Batman" movie. Thank you for choosing USC and FIGHT ON, Logan!
As soon as I finished my interview with Logan, a very familiar face in a bright blue suit walked my way. Trojan Candy has seen Senior Max deVroome come through in many clutch matches. He agreed to let me interview him. Max is from Vught, Netherlands. He said that he gets to go home in the summer and winter breaks. His mom is coming to Los Angeles in April. Trojan Candy hopes that she can take a picture of Max and his mom then. Max is from a very athletic family. His younger sister, who is nineteen, is playing professional tennis in Mexico and is coached by Max's older brother. Thank goodness that Max, who is majoring in Business Finance, chose USC. He, like Logan, likes to hang out with the guys on the team and watch movies. Max recommended a French movie to me titled "Untouchable." He is an avid reader, especially autobiographies. His favorite book is heavy, dark "Norwegian Wood." As for music, Max likes mellow music such as Remix. Kygo is his favorite artist. Max's face lit up when I asked him what his favorite food is. He said his Grandmother's cooking is his favorite, and he and his family went to her home every Sunday. She makes a bouillon vegetable soup, the best steak ever, and thin, crepe pancakes with cherries on top. Mmmm...delicious! FIGHT ON, Max!
What a beautiful new Tennis Stadium!