After the USC Spring Football Game ended, Trojan Candy rushed over from the Coliseum to the Marks Tennis Stadium. Our men had started playing Washington at 1:30 pm. I was anxious to see how our newest men’s tennis player Learner Tien had done. Learner was just recently cleared to compete for USC by the NCAA!
In Doubles, Learner teamed with Bradley Frye (11/15/2018). When USC won the Doubles point, their match was suspended while they were leading by 5-4.
In Learner’s singles on court 2, he won the first set by 7-5 and was ahead 3-2 in the second set over Washington’s Dzianis Zharyn when our USC team won 4-1 over Washington.
After the match was over, Trojan Candy saw former USC Tennis team member Sean Holt (3/18/2022)! Trojan Candy had interviewed him when he was a sophomore at USC. Sean had two brothers who also attended USC. Dylan, the oldest son of Tracy Austin Holt, was a manager of the USC Tennis team. Brandon, the middle of the three brothers, starred on the USC Tennis team and now plays professional tennis. Sean was visiting with friend Mark Young, who wrote the book, Trojan Tennis: A History of the Storied Men's Tennis Program at the University of Southern California. So nice to see you again, Sean! KEEP FIGHTING ON, Sean!
Trojan Candy was able to catch Learner when he was walking downstairs. I asked him if I could take his picture and interview him. With a smile, he said, “Yes.” Before I could get started, an older USC couple, who were walking down the stairs, told Learner, "...that it would be better for him to get his education at USC first before going on the circuit.” I personally agree with the couple. Here is the picture I took of Learner.
My first interview question was, “Why did you choose USC?” Learner said that USC was local, because he lives in Irvine. He has a good relationship with the USC coaches, and he knows Stefan, Ryan, and Karl. My next question, "What are you majoring in?" Learner replied, “Business.” Me: "When did you start playing tennis?" Learner: “I started at 1 ½ to 2 years old.”
More personally, I asked, "Do you have any hobbies?" Learner said, “Not really.” Me: "What is your favorite food?" Learner replied, “I’m easy with food.” My last question, "What is your favorite music?" Learner: “Rap and Pop.”
After I thanked Learner for letting me interview him, he stepped inside the locker room. Then, just outside the gate, my husband Jim and I met Learner’s parents. They were Khuong and Huyen Tien. Khuong works at RCI in Irvine and Huyen is a teacher. She told me they named their son “Learner” because she would make sure that he would “Learn”! Did he ever! Learner entered high school when he was eleven years old! Khuong and Huyen then told me that Learner was also accepted at Harvard and Stanford. Then, they told me that they and Learner liked USC the best because, “There is so much more school spirit at USC. There is a different vibe at USC. Everyone wears USC clothes!” Learner’s parents now know the saying, “You are a Bruin for four years and a TROJAN for LIFE!”
So nice to meet Learner and his parents!
KEEP FIGHTING ON, Learner!
Trojan Candy was excited about our Spring Football Game as I entered the Coliseum. Luckily, my sister Patti found us seats in our regular season seats. I said “Hello” to Patti, my brother-law Dudley Poon, and two friends Lai-Tan and Genaro Carapia. Then, I started taking videos and pictures.
KEEP FIGHTING ON, our Football Team!
Trojan Candy and my husband Jim were so lucky to be invited to attend the Allyson Felix Field Naming Celebration. The weather was just perfect for the dedication.
Next, Jim and I walked to the entrance of the Allyson Felix Field for the lunch that followed. After we checked in, we found a table.
Then, Trojan Candy spotted a table full of USC Track and Field Team members. Naturally, I walked to their table, introduced myself, gave them my “Trojan Candy” card and started to take their pictures.
Meet freshman Bryce Brock, Lindsay Jaffe, and graduate Christopher Borzor. Bryce is a 100m, 200m sprinter from Oceanside, CA, who is majoring in Legal Studies. Christopher is a sprinter from Uniondale, N.Y. who majored in Gerontology. Lindsay Jaffe is an Associate Athletic Director for Sports and Administration at USC and is from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She told me that everyone at this table are “my children.”
FIGHT ON, J.C., Tade, Curtis, Brendon, Jan'Taijah, Michael, Bryce, Lindsay, and Christopher!
Trojan Candy then began taking pictures of USC TGLA members.
Next, my sister Patti Poon went over to talk to Allyson’s mother Marlean Felix. It turns out that both of them, like yours truly, worked in Los Angeles City Schools. Patti was a LAUSD Math Coach, while Marlean taught at the Balboa Gifted Magnet School.
What a busy, memorable day for Trojan Candy!
Congratulations, Allyson!