One Last Look, USC Draws Inspiration From Fan

If you haven't had a chance to watch this video, it is MUST SEE stuff! Oh, and grab some tissues!!

Start SpreadingThe News!!!

Hey Trojans:

Well, it is NEVER too early to start planning a road trip! Looks like the USC/Syracuse game in 2012 has been moved to the NEW Giants Stadium in the Meadowlands. No offense to the city of Syracuse, but a weekend in the Big Apple is more appealings. Is "Cats" still playing? =P

http://blog.syracuse.com/orangefootball/2009/08/su_to_play_three_games_in_the.html

6 Weeks Until Kickoff!

Ahh, the dogs days of summer, and that can only mean one thing, football is just around the corner! Next Saturday continues an annual tradition at my house, the hoisting of the Cardinal & Gold Trojan flag. The first Saturday of August is always my "flag day," and I always look forward to it!

Trojans Get Commitment From QB...

On the recruiting front, Pete Carroll landed an up and coming QB prospect named Jesse Scroggins from Lakewood H.S. in CA. Though not as highly rated as last year's #1 QB and Trojan freshman, Matt Barkley, Scroggins won't have much pressure on him out of the gate. This sets him up perfectly to by a "system" QB and learn for about 3 years before taking over the reigns like Matt Leinart, John David Booty and Mark Sanchez.

Here is the story from WeAreSC.com

Scroggins Commits to Troy

Counting Down Until Kickoff...

Hey Triad Trojans, I hope you have been enjoying your summer. We are now at just about 2 months from the kickoff of the 2009 football season, and the blog will be updated more frequently. Here are some little tidbits from the "off season."

A new Trojan family has relocated to the Triad. Karl B. and his wife Erin (also a Trojan!) and their two children have moved from out west and look forward to meeting all of you and enjoying some games together. Welcome Karl, Erin and Family!

Recently, USC President Dr. Steven Sample and his wife Kathryn were in Greensboro for a short stay (Dr. Sample has family in Greensboro), and I received a very nice letter from the USC Alumni Association praising us for carrying the Cardinal & Gold in the Carolinas. (Mrs. Sample told them all about the Triad Trojan Club) They asked if they could help us in any way, and I plan on asking them to recognize us as an "official" organization of the University. This would enable us to use official University logos to create merchandise for ourselves such as t-shirts, bumper stickers/magnets, etc. I will also ask them for any recruiting material for potential students in the Triad. I would like to start attending some College Nights and represent USC, so if anyone else is interested, just let me know.

I'll be updating the football schedule since 95% of it is already set with the first game set for 3:30 PM on September 5 vs. Dick Tomey's San Jose State Spartans.

Enjoy your summer, check back often and I look forward to seeing many of you during the upcoming season.

Fight On!

BIG DANCE BABY!!!

Congratulations to the 2009 Pac-10 basketball champions, the USC Trojans! Good luck in the BIG DANCE!

USC/UVA Ticket Update

Hey Gang:

Here is a quick update on ticket availability for the Virginia game via StubHub.

(Click on the image to take you to StubHub's USC/UVA ticket page)

Good luck in getting tickets, and if you are a Carolina Trojan (North or South), be sure to email me at GSOTrojan@aol.com to be added to our roll call for the game.

Fight On!

Virginia Weekender Information

Courtesy of Bob B. from South Carolina. Thanks for the update Bob!


8/30/08 USC vs. Virginia

Co-Hosted by the USC Alumni Clubs
of The Nation's Capital and Richmond
Kick-off: 3:30 p.m.ET

Host Hotel

The Omni Shoreham
2500 Calvert Street NW (at Connecticut Ave.), Washington, DC
(202) 234-0700

Join fellow 'SC fans for a Labor Day Weekend of fun, food and football! The Trojans take on the University of Virginia Cavaliers on Saturday, August 30 at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, but the fun begins long before:

Events

8/28/08 Thursday Night Baseball - Dodgers v. the Washington Nationals
Mingle with fellow Trojans as we start the Weekender with the Dodgers! Located just behind the outfield wall are cushioned seats with club amenities such as in-seat service and access to the double-decker Red Porch Restaurant and Red Loft Bar. Each ticket comes loaded with a $20 food and beverage credit!

• Nationals Stadium
• 7:10 p.m.
• Center Field Lounge Ticket: $67

8/29/08 Friday Night Pep Rally
Connect with fellow alumni, family and friends over food and drink in a spirited atmosphere. Don't forget the special performance by the USC Trojan Marching Band and the USC Song Girls!

• Omni Shoreham Hotel
• 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
• Admission: $40 (adults), $30 (kids 6 to 12), free! (kids 5 & under)

8/29/08 Friday Night Young Alumni After-Party
After the pep rally, continue the party with other young Trojans in the popular Adams Morgan district. Private level and $3 drink specials until midnight!

• Location TBD (Washington, D.C.)
• 9:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
• Admission: $10

8/30/08 Game Day Transportation
Ride in style with the Trojan Family from Washington, D.C. to Charlottesville while watching USC football highlights and movies. Includes snacks and non-alcoholic beverages.

• Departs Omni Shoreham DC
• Buses begin loading at 8:30 a.m.
• Admission: $80
  

8/30/08 Game Day Tailgate
Before the Trojans take the field, join other USC fans in air-conditioned comfort for a delicious BBQ buffet and refreshing drinks. Includes an energizing performance by the USC Trojan Marching Band and the USC Song Girls!

• The John Paul Jones Arena
• Doors open 3 hours before kick-off
• Admission: $65 (adults), $50 (kids 6 to 12), Free! (kids 5 & under)

8/30/08 Game Watch Party
No game ticket? No problem! Cheer from a distance with other Trojan fans over unlimited appetizers with the first drink on us.

• Crystal City Sports Pub (Arlington)
• Doors open at 2:30 p.m.
• Admission: $30 (adults), $20 (kids 6 to 12), free! (kids 5 & under)

Purchase your event tickets online here.

To purchase game tickets, call (213) 740-GOSC.

More Information

Visit www.dctrojans.org for more information about the USC Alumni Club of the Nation's Capital.

Looking for things to do in nearby cities? Click out these links:

• Washington DC
• Richmond, VA
• Charlottesville, VA

Capitol Cadillac & Capitol Buick Pontiac GMC is proud to support the USC Alumni Association and the USC Alumni Clubs of the Nation's Capital and Richmond by sponsoring the USC vs. Virginia Football Weekender. Fight On!

UVA Season "Kickoff Package" is Sold Out.

Hey Trojans:

The UVA season "Kickoff Package" that included USC, East Carolina and Richmond is sold out. At this point, there are only a few options left.

1. Wait and try to get the "Single Game" ticket on the UVA site (Bwahahahaha!)
2. Try StubHub, which is linked via the banner ad above and they probably have some tickets for sale (though for a weeee bit more than face value)

As for coordinating the trip up, the game is at 3:30 PM, and the trip takes about 3.5 hours to make, probably 4 by bus, so if there was a thought to charter one, you'd probably have to leave the Triad about 7-8 AM to give yourself plenty of time to make it to campus, then tailgate for a few hours before going to the game.

As for myself, I plan on leaving early Friday (subject to change) to get to our hotel in Waynesboro. If anyone wants to team up for a caravan up that day, let me know. I'll get some Cardinal and Gold water based paint to decorate my car for the trek into "enemy territory."

For your enjoyment, I created a "USC/UVA Countdown Widget" for your browser, or desktop. Feel free to download it and share it with your USC/UVA friends.

Fight On!

USC/Virginia Lodging Option

Hey Trojans, I have a lodging update for you.

I was able to get a room at the Waynesboro Hampton Inn for a AAA rate of $102.60/night for a non-smoking King room. I have stayed at Hampton Inns before, and they are clean, comfortable and I LOVE the chocolate chip cookies they have available at night.

Waynesboro in just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, in the heart of the mountains of the Shenandoah Valley, which I hear is gorgeous, and it is only about 25-30 minutes from Charlottesville. There is also an outlet mall nearby (for the wives) and some good restaurants. Anyway, I thought I'd pass along that info since it seems everything good in C'ville is already booked.

Fight On!

USC/Virginia Tickets Still Available

According to Alexis P., there are still UVA "Season Kickoff Packages" available. Apparently, UVA released limited amounts of the packages so they wouldn't be sold out in a few hours. While I can't guarantee tickets will still be available when you call, at least there may still be some hope.

We are still going to try and coordinate with other Carolina Trojans to either caravan, or tailgate together at the game. Maybe we'll even get together and have a "car painting party" (there is a carpool lot near my house off Hwy 29 which goes right to Charlottesville) with some water based paints to proudly display the Cardinal and Gold on our way up to the game?

I am trying to find some accommodations to stay a night or two up in Virginia as I have a feeling the game will be an 8:00 PM kickoff for prime time, so I don't feel like driving 3.5 hours home at midnight. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Don't forget to email me at GSOTrojan@aol.com if you get tickets so I can have you on the mailing list for the caravan/tailgate

Fight On!