Trojan Candy walked around the Galen Center lobby before the men's basketball game vs Oregon. It was the last game on the schedule and was Senior Salute Night.
I saw four young ladies putting face tattoos on "little" children. Then I noticed that they were USC Helenes. So naturally I told them that I was a Helene when I was an undergraduate at USC and asked them if I could take their picture. Their names are Francesca Vecchiarelli, Evelyn Lee, Catherine Desmond, and Sarah George. FIGHT ON, USC Helenes!
Once inside the arena, I walked over to the tunnel where the team runs out. My friend Trennon helped me look for Senior Strahinja (Luis) Gavrilovic's parents. There were two people standing in the tunnel, so Trennon walked over and asked if they were Luis's parents. They told him that they were "American" parents for Luis and Nikola Jovanovic. Trennon motioned for me to come over to them. I introduced myself, told them that I have written about Luis and Nik in my blog, gave them my card and took this picture of them. Their names are John and Janine Colich. I will see them next year also when Nik graduates.
There was another Trojan honored today. It was the last game for Tony Fox to direct the Spirit of Troy Pep Band at a men's basketball game. Tony is the Assistant Band Director of the Spirit of Troy. He is going to retire in May. Trojan Candy has known Tony since 1992. I met Tony when my son Greg took composition lessons from him weekly in his band office for six years.
A video about Tony was shown on the big screen. FIGHT ON, Tony!
What a memorable day for two very good friends.
It was also a memorable day for the team....the lights went out for thirty minutes during the game.
Unfortunately, the lights went out for a second time.... We lost to Oregon...but there is always next year.
FIGHT ON, Men of Troy Basketball!
The Marks Stadium renovation is almost finished. The courts are beautiful. The day was also beautiful.
Our women played their Doubles first.
As Trojan Candy walked on the upper level taking pictures, I saw a very familiar face. It was Samantha Bricio (11/29/2015). She came to work at the match. Sam let me take another picture of her. We visited for a while. Sam's job was to stay near the stairs and answer any questions that spectators might ask.
Then, up the stairs walked another friend. Sam and I talked with Robert Feathers (11/9/2012). He told us that he is working on campus now. My two friends smiled for this picture. Two jobs for two outstanding USC athletes! FIGHT ON, Sam! FIGHT ON, Robert!
A third friend walked by and sat in the stands at a nearby row. All of us in the stands watched our women win the Doubles 2-1. During the short break between the Doubles and Singles play, Trojan Candy went over and tapped him on the shoulder. Football punter Reid Budrovich (8/22/2015) turned around, recognized me and smiled. Reid posed for this picture. FIGHT ON, Reid!
During the break, my husband Jim went downstairs to get free burritos for both of us. All fans in the stadium each got a burrito. They were delicious. You can see Jim waiting in line at the food truck. Thank you Athletic Marketing!
As everyone in the stands was enjoying the burritos, the Singles matches began. Trojan Candy took pictures of the players. I waited until each player faced the stands.
Congratulations, Women of Troy Tennis and FIGHT ON!