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Take it easy 05-30-2008 10:34 a.m.
As Heritage Hall readies for the start of summer workouts, which cascade directly into Fall Camp and the 2008 season, one department is enjoying the calm before the storm.
The equipment room will return to its pace of dozens of loads of laundry per day when summer workouts begin Monday, but in the meantime, all is calm in the basement room responsible for the equipment and laundry needs of all the football players and coaches.
“Just the way we like it right now,” football equipment coordinator Tino Dominguez said.
Early weekend 05-30-2008 8:55 a.m.
The entire coaching staff is out of the office today, as they’re on a three-day retreat to the Palm Springs area to play golf, spend time with their families and attend tonight’s Coaches Tour event at Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa in Indian Wells.
Pete Carroll Mic’d Up at the Rose Bowl 05-29-2008 3:26 p.m.
You’ve seen Coach Carroll mic’d up during the pre-game portion of the 2008 Rose Bowl.
Now here’s your chance to see the rest.
You can pre-order “Pete Carroll Mic’d Up at the 2008 Rose Bowl” by clicking here. The special DVD, which is selling for $19.95 and will be shipped in mid-June, also features 30 minutes of bonus footage. A portion of the proceeds will go directly to A Better LA.
Countdown 05-29-2008 2:05 p.m.
In case you’re bored during these dog days of summer, keep in mind you’ve got to wait just 66 days until Fall Camp 2008 opens and only 93 days until the first game of 2008.
Represent on your computer 05-29-2008 11:53 a.m.
Download the new Trojan football desktop wallpaper for the 2008 season here.
On the film 05-29-2008 10:58 a.m.
“USC Football Classics Vol. 1,” a special DVD feature produced by the athletic department, is now on sale. The 83-minute DVD features extensive narrated highlights of:
- 1974 Notre Dame game (the run of 55 unanswered points) - 1967 and 1969 UCLA games (both thrilling late-game victories) - 1963 Rose Bowl against Wisconsin - 1980 Rose Bowl against Ohio State - 1989 Washington State game - 1938 UCLA game - 1941 Oregon State game - 1972 Oregon game - 1984 Washington game
The DVD also includes a cool look at the final drive of the 2005 Notre Dame game, a review of all the Nebraska contests and a historical look at USC’s best opening-day games.
Get fit 05-29-2008 10:02 a.m.
The Trojans’ summer strength and conditioning program kicks off Monday, when they’ll have workouts four days a week to prepare for fall camp and the 2008 season.
“We want to regain our strength base and get the conditioning levels back to where they should be,” head strength and conditioning coach Chris Carlisle said. “And that’s all done pretty quickly.”
Though there haven’t been programmed workouts since April 29, most players have been in the weight room on their own time to stay in shape during the last month.
It’s been a while 05-29-2008 9:11 a.m.
The coaches just gathered in the War Room for a recruiting meeting to review film of prospects from the Class of 2009. They had their all-staff meeting of the month on Tuesday, but today’s film session focuses on what the coaches learned while on the recruiting trail during the last 45 days.
While we were away… 05-29-2008 8:58 a.m.
Here’s a rundown of what happened over the past 10 days:
Hear legends and support the kids 05-19-2008 12:43 p.m.
Vin Scully and John Wooden, two of L.A.’s all-time legends, will be appearing together at a special fundraising event on Friday, June 13 at 7:30 p.m. at Nokia Theater. “Scully & Wooden: For the kids,” a unique panel discussion with the two greats and moderated by the L.A. Times’ T.J. Simers, is raising money for two children’s hospitals in L.A., including pediatric cancer research at the USC-affiliated Children’s Hospital of L.A. and City of Hope.
So head out to support a great cause and see one of Coach Carroll’s heroes in John Wooden at this special event. Tickets, which go for anywhere between $25-$200, are still available.
School’s in for the summer 05-19-2008 11:41 a.m.
Summer school starts Wednesday at USC, meaning a large majority of the players will be back in the classroom only a week after finishing the spring semester. Players enroll in summer school to help progress toward their degree during what’s essentially a bonus semester, since they’re around during the summer for workouts anyway.
Pete on the street 05-19-2008 10:58 a.m.
Coach Carroll hit the USC campus recently to ask the students and professors some hard-hitting Trojan sports questions. Prepare for a good laugh as Carroll does his best Jay Leno impression in the latest video feature from USCRipsIt, produced by Mark Haas:
On tour 05-19-2008 10:56 a.m.
Bored of the dog days of summer and it’s not even summer yet? Well, here’s something to spice up your next few weeks.
Sign up for one of the seven stops on this summer’s Coaches Tour featuring Coach Carroll and Tim Floyd. Find out all the info here regarding the highly entertaining evening of Trojan sports talk with the dynamic duo of Carroll and Floyd. Hit the weights 05-19-2008 10:31 a.m.
Summer workouts don’t officially begin until June 2, though many players have already returned to the weight room to partake in voluntary workouts.
Summer fun 05-19-2008 10:20 a.m.
USC football is hosting camps for kids in 3rd through 12th grades throughout the month of June. Led by Coach Carroll and the rest of his staff, these camps offer young players a chance to learn from the best in a fun-filled environment. Learn more about these camps here, and register here.
Also, USC’s inaugural 7-on-7 passing camp for high school teams is scheduled for June 19 and 20, so find out more about it here.
Going pro 05-19-2008 10:07 a.m.
Matt Spanos, who played his entire senior season in 2007 with a torn triceps, was invited to Miami Dolphins minicamp this week for a tryout at either guard or center.
Frequent fliers 05-19-2008 9:38 a.m.
Another day in May just means it’s another day on the road for the coaches, who are typically on a one-state-per-day pace in their recruiting efforts around the country. The spring evaluation period ends May 31, so the staff is making the most of the remaining time before a summer-long quiet period arrives.
For a good read… 05-19-2008 9:30 a.m.
Success on draft day doesn’t always equate to success on Sundays in the fall, but former Trojans are receiving plenty of praises in their transition to the NFL, according to today’s L.A. Times.
Let your voice be heard 05-16-2008 2:32 p.m.
ESPN’s SportsNation is trying to figure out the “Face of the Program” at universities across the country. Here’s your chance to voice your opinion on what or who you think USC’s “face” should be.
Trading pigskin for sheepskin 05-16-2008 1:43 p.m.
See the images from USC’s commencement ceremonies on Friday, when several players went through the festivities to celebrate their college graduation, in the newest feature from USCRipsIt.
Celebration 05-16-2008 12:21 p.m.
The athletic department is hosting a special reception for all graduating student-athletes right now in the Varsity Lounge to commemorate their successful careers in both the academic and athletic arenas.
All in the family 05-16-2008 12:20 p.m.
Director of player personnel Jared Blank, who graduated from USC in 2005, is celebrating today the graduation of his sister Alexis, who earned a degree in studio art from USC’s Roski School of Fine Arts. Congratulations to the Blank family.
Commencement fanfare 05-16-2008 9:34 a.m.
President Steven B. Sample addresses the audience of roughly 40,000 in a festive Alumni Park this morning during USC’s 125th annual commencement.
On the road 05-16-2008 8:36 a.m.
USCRipsIt was honored to be the special guest at the Bakersfield Alumni Club’s spring social event on Thursday night, when I gave a short talk and then conducted a Q&A on everything related to Trojan football. Thanks to Wendy Henderson and the rest of the Bakersfield Alumni Club for being such great hosts.
If you’d like Ben Malcolmson of USCRipsIt to speak at your event, contact him at Ben@PeteCarroll.com.
Congratulations 05-16-2008 8:24 a.m.
It’s graduation day at USC, as about 8,000 students are going through commencement ceremonies in front of more than 40,000 family and friends on campus.
USCRipsIt is taking its show on the road, as I'm speaking at the USC Alumni Club of Bakersfield’s spring social event tonight. We’ll be back tomorrow as the university goes through commencement ceremonies.
Big day 05-15-2008 11:30 a.m.
USC has success on game day, but what about on graduation day? The results will surprise you. Read how well the Trojans are represented during commencement ceremonies in the newest article from USCRipsIt.
You can watch USC’s 125th commencement live online starting at 8:30 a.m. Friday by clicking here.
In his own words 05-15-2008 10:56 a.m.
Check out this exclusive article from today’s L.A. Times, which features O.J. Mayo’s denial of the accusations of NCAA violations.
It’s a done deal 05-15-2008 8:14 a.m.
Having trouble understanding what exactly USC’s lease with the Coliseum means for both sides? Don’t fret, here’s a concise yet detailed breakdown of the official deal that was signed Wednesday, from today’s L.A. Times.
Put it in ink 05-14-2008 12:57 p.m.
Though the news leaked out a few days ago, USC and the Coliseum Commission officially signed their lease agreement today, guaranteeing that the Trojans will play at the grand arena for at least 25 more years.
“Signing of this document is a significant step forward in USC's efforts to repair and restore the Coliseum and ensure that USC is able to continue its long football tradition at this historic facility,” USC President Steven B. Sample said in a release. “We would like to thank the members of the Coliseum Commission, the Governor, and the Mayor and City Council members for their commitment to this vision.”
After lining up tryouts with a couple Arena Football League teams, Yoshida said he will now shift his focus toward finishing his architecture degree. He’s on track to graduate from the intensive program next May.
School’s out for the summer — sort of 05-14-2008 11:43 a.m.
Today’s the last day of finals at USC, so players are wrapping up their spring semesters with exams throughout the day. They don’t get much of a break from academics though, as summer school classes begin next Wednesday.
Season of change 05-14-2008 10:41 a.m.
Now featuring a massive tent, Howard Jones field has been transformed in preparation for Friday’s commencement ceremonies at USC. The Trojans’ practice field is the site of a satellite graduation ceremony for the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.
In the news 05-14-2008 9:27 a.m.
USCRipsIt’s video features are now making news, as seen in today’s L.A. Times.
Be expecting similarly crazy, fun and silly videos from USCRipsIt in the future as we continue to experiment and take you places no football website has gone before.
Presenting the trophy 05-13-2008 1:15 p.m.
Athletic director Mike Garrett (center) and USC coaches from all sports gather outside of Heritage Hall for this afternoon’s presentation of the 2007-08 Lexus Gauntlet trophy to the Trojans. USC beat UCLA, 67.5 to 42.5, in the annual cross-town rivalry competition.
See and hear what defensive coordinator Nick Holt is like during a Competition Tuesday practice at USC in the latest mic’d up video feature from USCRipsIt, produced by Mark Haas:
Sign him up 05-13-2008 10:55 a.m.
Defensive end Alex Morrow was signed as a free agent by the New York Giants on Monday after impressing coaches at a rookie minicamp last weekend.
Two Trojans are taking their Pac-10 prowess from the gridiron to the track for this weekend’s conference meet in Tempe, Ariz.
Wideout Travon Patterson and defensive lineman Trey Henderson, whose USC football team has won six straight conference titles, will contribute to the track and field squad gunning for a Pac-10 championship of its own.
Patterson is an alternate on the 4x100 relay team, while Henderson will compete in the hammer throw.
“He could be as good a hammer thrower as a football player,” head track and field coach Ron Allice said of Henderson.
- Yard Strength Football Clinic • June 21 in Manhattan Beach. Ages 6-17, $60. Download the registration form here.
- Raise-Up Youth Fundamental Football Camp • June 27-30 (four one-day camps) at USC. Ages 8-13, $65 ($50/person for groups of 20 or more). Individual signup here and group signup here.
Clearing the air 05-12-2008 10:53 a.m.
We’ve received several comments about a shirt that director of football operations Dennis Slutak was wearing during last week’s advance trip to Charlottesville, Va. The shirt, which fell in such a way in the picture that it appeared to have an inappropriate word on it, is actually a reference to a recent Nike Sparq commercial, during which Coach Carroll responds to LaDainian Tomlinson saying, “My quick smells like French toast.”
Here’s a clearer photo of Slutak in the shirt, taken last week in Charlottesville, Va.:
Summer tour 05-12-2008 10:22 a.m.
Coach Carroll and men’s basketball coach Tim Floyd are coming to a city near you as part of their annual Coaches Tour, a seven-city circuit that features dinner, speeches and a Q&A session with both coaches, all of which add up to a highly entertaining evening.
Learn more about the tour here and sign up cards can be downloaded here. The schedule is:
- May 28 • Irvine - May 30 • Indian Wells - June 2 • Pasadena - June 4 • San Diego - June 9 • Burlingame (San Francisco Airport Marriott) - June 11 • Manhattan Beach - June 12 • Westlake Village
Do the math 05-12-2008 9:59 a.m.
Loyal USCRipsIt reader Bob Brown, a USC alum and a mathematics teacher at Royal High in Simi Valley, passed along this interesting photo of pages 310-311 from a newly published Algebra 2 textbook. The picture of John David Booty is used in reference to quadratic equations and how to figure out the heights of footballs as they fly through the air.
All is calm 05-12-2008 9:22 a.m.
Coaches are on the road recruiting and players have the next few days off from workouts to focus on finals, so the world of Trojan football is as tranquil as ever today. Read last week's blog page here.
