A reader sent me this interaction with USC president Carol Folt at tonight’s basketball game vs. LSU at Staples Center.
Fan: “Hi Dr. Folt, it’s good to see you. Is AD Bohn here tonight?”
Folt: “No, he’s in Denver with his family. He really wishes he could have been here for the USC and San Diego State games.”
Fan: “Oh it’s not because you lied to him and the Trojan family about his decision making about the head-coaching position?”
Folt: “NO, if you’re going to be a jerk, leave.”
“Her personal security approached me at my seat moments later.”
The fan took the above picture and said the man to the left was plain-clothes security.
InsideUSC with Scott Wolf 
Hmm that ‘security’ guy looks a lot, from the back, like Helton.
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Ha! [He’s gotta earn that 20 mil somehow, Alv]….
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The story above has me conflicted. Was the fan rude or ballsy?
I have met celebrities on several occasions as a reenactor of the American Revolution. Each time, from Sean Connery to John Aston each were cordial to the group, as long as we were cordial to them. However if someone was rude to them the kindness ended and the celebrity withdrew. I think we forget that Dr. Folt has earned a certain level celebrity status and should be allowed to be out in public without being harassed. It is too bad she will never be allowed to go into public without fear of being treated rudely
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Fully agree Truman
I have met many celebrities as well as politicians during my career here in LA for a Fortune 50 company.
I have always shown respect to each and everyone of them.
Life is way too short to be unkind and an ahole. Good karma is earned.
There is a time and place for questioning the powers that run USC.
Courtside at Staples is not one of them.
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Carol Folt isn’t “a celebrity”. She wishes. She’s a W-2’ed employee of the university, and she’s also in the “customer service business” in several ways, and she has an upset constituency. She’s paid a lot of money for her job at USC, and that is part of what goes with it, when she completely “steps in it” and makes horrible decisions. That, and loss of support from donors and donations. Zero sympathy for her.
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In other words, like any ordinary person Folt is free to call out a jerk when she sees one. Got it.
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Celebrity?!? Please. She works for the students and alumni. She wishes she was a celebrity.
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If she lied to her constituents shouldn’t she be expected to stand to that? Like she’s imho officially representing us at the venue, since our athletic director wasn’t there for this intersectional nationally televised sporting event eh? Like I ask isn’t she on record as having influenced the biggest athletic department decision the/her school had recently made? IMHO she asks for these types of situations when she took the job.
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The answer to your question is that the person was rude and childish as was the person who put it in a blog.
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Not her first rodeo.
I bet she was treated far more rudely as a young woman working her way up in the hierarchy in the 1980’s and 90’s, and I suspect she was treated far more poorly by the bumpkins in NoCarolina.
Remains to be seen how the USC contingent treats President Folt.
I like the fact that she took a Saturday evening and watch my team hoop it up.
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I don’t think we’ve “succeeded” if we wind up preventing the president and athletic director from attending games (and, from the looks of things, that thought HAS crossed Bohn’s mind). These our little, petty people and if they feel disrespected by fans they are gonna find new and different ways of screwing USC sports, football in particular…
#…It’sWhoTheyAre…..
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Nonsense, if the heat’s to hot for them in the kitchen they need to resign from this job that they sought to undertake.
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Very sad. If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. Great idea, intimidate a fan, if you don’t like the message. Way past time for sweeping changes.
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The President of the top 15 University in America attending a MBB game doesn’t need to hear junk from some peanut gallery f-tard trolling for shit for a football season which is ending in a few days.
#Decorum?
The die (not dye, fellas) is cast with CFB. We will see where we are in Mid-October 2020, and decisions will be made. Helton has his final chance. Let’s see what he does with it.
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Top 15, ha! You wish.
You guys are really sad. This idea that this one fan’s opinion is so informed, so important and so rightous that being downright rude is going to get you all that you want – you are living in a fantasy.
I think President Folt has a few other things on her mind other than some 19 year kid can get the ball across the goal line. Jeez.
Vote with your non-attendance, vote with your non-purchase of tickets, vote with withholding your donation to the school. That will make more of a difference. Don’t be an ass.
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IOW accept mediocrity as a solution to the destruction of our blue blood traditional football entity b/c of decorum? Sorry Mr. Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, Pappy, Woodford Reserve. just ain’t a buy’n it..
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Rationale:
Per the Wall Street Journal, USC rates the #15 University in America. The WSJ base their ranking on the performance of a school’s alumni after graduation. The status of each University’s graduate schools are also considered.
US News and WR rates USC #22 nationally.
My “gripe” with rankings overall is that they frequently take into account the number of “Nobel Laureates” on staff. As an undergraduate, it is highly unlikely that you will ever get within the same zip code as that Nobel Laureate, let alone share ideas with him/her or take a class with him/her.
A well-read person such as yourself might also ask the Nobel committee,
“how’s that choice with Aung San Suu Kyi working out fer ya’?”
(BTW, my posts are data driven and not emotional…..most of the time.)
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You got Pappy, GK, and I’ll agree to anything you want to say…..
I don’t think I’ve ever accepted mediocrity in my life:
The 1982 FB team I played for (1 qtr vs Cal) was superior. Had we not been on probation I think we would have gone 11-1.
The 1983 team I practiced with was shambolic (worse than mediocre).
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Uhh… but… err… it sounds like the jerk – I mean, “fan” – was intimidating HER. What rock do you live under to think any 2-bit “fan” has the right to come out of nowhere and talk smack to the president of the university?!
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If the story is true, then that’s what she gets. There’s to much bullshyt going on with that football program, and people are questioning it on a national level, especially since recruiting class was rated at a Mountain West Conference level … Unbelievable!
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I’m not a Folt fan —so maybe I’m the right guy to defend her on this one. Yes, our culture is getting coarser by the moment —and interactions between people who disagree with each other are becoming uglier every day. And, since almost everybody feels royally betrayed by Folt, she should expect a lot of push back. Still, it would be nice if we could communicate our disenchantment with our two faced president at the proper time and place….which is pretty much anytime she’s engaging as President —rather than, say, as fan or diner or commuter.
#AsADeodorantCommercialPutIt:AnythingLessWouldBeUncivilized
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Agree, counselor.
The “dialogue” above is in quotation marks, so I take the exchange as “verbatim.”
As such, the F-tard “fan” showed a lack of decorum and respect and was treated appropriately by the petite woman. “Jerk” seems like an extremely measured response by the President.
No one besides Jensen seems may be more frustrated than I am.
Still, treat Bohn and Folt with the dignity with which they have earned.
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I think you MG and Bourbon exhibit a certain sympathy for Folt. However, she is no longer in the realm of a private citizen…she being a University President is now a ‘Public Figure’ because of her position and has to deal with her actions either Pro or Con in the public arena…sorry, she has no private space at the Galen or in the Press.
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The point about coarse behavior and decorum seems to have sailed wide right over your head.
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Oh no, Factor, I have no sympathy for Administrators nor Millionaires (nor politicians) in the public realm. Oh, I do like the fact that the President has a burly dude sitting by her side.
I do feel that uncouth, poorly educated “jerks” should learn how to better express their views and when they should express them.
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To nextup….
I’m thoroughly familiar with Civics and etiquette. This discussion alludes to
The encounter Folt had at Galen, she was braced by and unhappy fan, perhaps an Alumnus…I’ll gladly admit your assumption of flying over my head if your remark deservedly lands squarely on Robert Deniro’ behavior.
Bourbon
IF, Folt continues as she has, she’ll need more than one burly individual.
Your assumption, associating “jerk” “poorly educated “ etc. with the remarks voiced to Folt are rather disingenuous, you know exactly what drove his outbursts….Anger…Frustration…Contempt. He might be a class mate of yours :-))
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Factor:
Based on the dialogue enclosed in quotation marks–which I take to mean an exact version of the dialogue–then I stand by my analysis.
A “classmate” of mine?
Yes, I had acquaintances in my very younger days who might have behaved as that fan had–especially under the influence of too much alcohol. Gratefully, I learned early on to avoid those people the remainder of my personal life.
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call me a jerk, but i like the public accostings. time, talent, legacy, money and emotion are being wasted as they let sc fall to the ranks of a third-tier football program. i don’t want folt or bohn to have one restful moment as long as they fail to do the right and the obvious thing.
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by the way, an unranked usc basketball team grits out a win against an unranked lsu team. yay?
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Yay for sure, W.texasmike.
Every Trojan “W” is worth celebrating.
USC Men’s BB will have its chance to show its value starting Jan 2.
Presently, Pac 12 hoops is looking quite sporty, with
Oregon, UW, and AZ ranked and UC Boulder looks legit after a W vs the #13 Dayton flyers today. Stanford might surprise, and Bobby Hurley’s Sun Devils will play tough. I’ve gone on record saying an 11-7 Pac 12 result would be fair for this young Trojan squad, and 12-6 would be truly “legit.”
I’m counting on Nick R and Jonah to lead the young big guys through the conference. Check back with me end of Feb, but I’m planning on enjoying the trip to Las Vegas in March.
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Yay… until the NCAA bell tolls for Football Head Enfield.
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gt —Can’t those NCAA guys give it a rest until after the season?
#IsItTooMuchToAskForAnAprilDecision?…
#…FollowedBy3YearsOfAppeals?…
#[DuringWhichTimeNCAAIsDismantled]
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Where ya at in West Texas, or just from there? I’m in Dallas by way of NoCsl.
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Don’t get me wrong, mike —I fully understand the temptation….
#…CheckBackW/MeAfterIowa&Alabama…
#..IMayWannaBePresidentOfTheClub….
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Check back with me after Iowa–that’s all that I will need, moving forward.
If HC CH does not have his team prep’d for a mean-ass Iowa team, he won’t get out of next October alive.
Bama is a foregone conclusion.
Even with a top-notch DC hire, my team is out-manned.
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it’s just a waste. an absolute waste. it was the easiest decision either of them (folt and bohn) could have made once they stepped onto campus. the easiest fix at a university seemingly rife with incompetence and corruption. and they blew it. leaving us to writhe in the filth of the clay helton era for at least one more season. too much. it’s … just … too … much. do they comprehend how difficult it is to win championships? at places like georgia and auburn where there are head coaches WHO HAVE put together championship-caliber rosters, fan bases are becoming a little perturbed by their team’s inability to get over the hump. do they understand how many light years away usc under clay helton is from even those programs? Let alone clemson, alabama, ohio state and lsu?
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mike —I’d guess somewhere between 3 and 4 light years —but I’ll know more specifically after our 2020 opener…..
#[…IBetThat’llBeTheDayUrbanStartsLooking”MorallyFit”ToFolt]….
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Hey Scottie the Body! Its Christmas. Lay off for a bit. I guarantee when USC beats Iowa you will find a reason to downgrade. Fight On!
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You individuals who are all soft and poor her are the the type of individuals that get walked on in life.folt get ready WE REAL ONES WILL BE HAVING YOU DO (THE WALK OF SHAME ALL SEASON LONG) you deserve what you get.Its very simple you are so sure you can get away with anything knowing you are on the wrong by keeping clay and not caring about the alumnist from the football program thoughts telling you clay has to go.fine folt that’s your call your the boss so DEAL WITH WHATS COMING FEAL THE WRATH OF TROJAN NATION THATS GOING TO HAUNT YOU WHERE EVER YOU GO!!!CANT WAIT FOR YOU TO SEE THE T SHIRTS SND BANNERS THAT ATE MADE UP FOR YOU NEXT YEAR ALL OVER THE COLISEUM AND CAMPUS ON GAMEDAYS!!! IT WILL BE DAMN CLASSIC!!!! TROJAN NATION IS GOING TO LET YOU HAVE IT!!!
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OMG… someone needs to lay off the bottle. SERiOUSLY DUDE. Get a life.
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The above quoted reader should be a Trojan hero. I agree wholehertedly with Chris Carter.
Carol “I don’t know the meaning of the word Intregrity” Folt is acting in her capacity of President. If she was there as a fan, she would’ve paid for her seat.
These interactions truly let her know what the Trojan family is feeling. It puts a real person not an email or tweet response that she can easily ignore.
If this continues and she feels uncomfotable to the point where she will not attend anything. All she has to do is look in the mirror to correct the situation.
Just do the right thing. Everyone makes mistakes – it’s how you handle them that makes a difference. Move on from Helton – EVERYBODY knows that he is already on the hottest of hot seats for the 2020 season. Why go through this charade again?
Surely, she can see that. I’m assuming that she has some measure of intelligence, after all, she certainly earned her academic qualifications.
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Note to jerk – er, “fan”: it’s how you handle your frustration that makes a difference.
There. Fixed it for you.
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NU – Given your handle, I guess you’re not ready for prime time. You fixed nothing here. Hopefully, you solve your personal problems better than the insight you give here.
Not frustrated at all. Just see incompetency over and over and wonder why one of the better academic institutions can’t fix obvious problems that they supposedly teach students how to fix/solve.
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And Enfield gets a big W finally. Cant wait to see the Negative spin on this by “i played no sport passed 5th grade” SW.
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How big a victory is a 2pt. bozo victory at home vs an unranked LSU team? And why was the game played at Staples?
Normally, the bozo game attendance at Galen Barn is + or – 750 bored BB fans and winos. However tonight the Staples attendance was a yuge 8296. That’s just 44% capacity of the 19,068 available seats or 10,000+ empty seats – Yikes, “Who goofed I’ve got to know?”
I bet that loss-leader deficit cost the bozos a major needless bundle for a 2 pt. victory.
Is the Boner aware of his fabulous BB program’s flop extravaganza?
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@justblows – not one of your snarkiest posts, lady. Looks like there’s not much hot air left in your balloon head…
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It’s bigger than 10 point loss dumbass.
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Hey owns, we are celebrating because we all know that this the only time in this decade we will see a USC win over a LSU team. As for who goofed? Nobody goofed the place needs to be that size to host important things like the circus or pro wrestling events. Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home unless Nickelodeon is town.
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How’d your guys do?
Ding!
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well she is ‘SO ABOVE BEING QUESTIONED ‘ BY ANY PEONS …aka anyone who disagrees with her…she is the same asshole fired at N.Carolina, and of course sc assholes like her… BOT on down.
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Never start off as antagonistic with anyone. It never goes well whether it’s a child, celeb, or senior.
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Omarstringer –Like you, I’m surprised by the number of people who begin disagreements at Level 10. More can be accomplished when courtesy is given a chance. The fact that Folt has made a huge mistake in retaining Helton doesn’t excuse conduct which, if multiplied, will result in unpleasant crowd situations at USC Athletic contests. Yes, it’s Folt’s job to get her head on straight ….but it’s our job not to lose ours altogether.
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Folt is just President of a University. Should be willing to talk with anybody.
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One thing I have learned in my life is to not exchange unpleasant words or actions with another person. What the PRESIDENT of USC did in returning unpleasant words, jerk, with someone is absolutely inappropriate!
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Do you really think cornering Dr. Folt at a Trojan basketball game will help? If you must, say “pretty please”, with sugar on top, listen to her response, then leave. Saying “Hi, Dr. Folt”, knowing it’s a trap, shows bad intentions….
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Like this: Hi, Dr. Folt. Good to see you! I know this isn’t the place, necessarily, but we may never meet again, and I’m concerned, as are many. Please, will you reconsider our football program?
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Our society needs a lesson in civility. Pound her socks in official roles. When she attends a game……a polite smile will do.
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That was a really good question. I would also want to know what she did with the game ball she received? My guess is it is in a trophy case on display.
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Who called who a “jerk?” Our esteemed President did. #Metoo playbook move.
She escalated the encounter the minute she called the fan a “jerk.” She needs to know better, and if she doesn’t, she should’ve not taken the job. At the very least she is naive to what football has meant to the USC Family she intends to lead. At worst, this represents her manner of dealing with those that oppose/challenge her actions.
On the other hand, let’s remember that this report comes from Scott “I don’t verify shit” Wolf – master journalist [and grammatical prodigy].
Who knows what this encounter truly was like? Did she actually say “jerk?” Was the fan indeed rude in his demeanor? One thing is for certain, encounters like these are no doubt fueled by the frustrations we all feel as Trojans. And the seemingly directionless leadership that we all see displayed daily.
If true, there is ample reason for concern – on whichever side your opinion falls on.
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Agree —point for point Juan. It’s very iffy that Folt called the fan a jerk –it seems inconsistent with her predominately ‘kill them with kindness’ M. O. But, you’re right, if she switched gears that quickly [kinda like the way she went from smiling plum fairy to demonic gremlin in the video Scott ran 3 days ago], we got ourselves a petulant, spoiled brat as president of the university. No wonder Bohn is having second and third thoughts..
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We all show our true colors during stress.
I’ve always admired the person who adroitly kept their cool whilst others were descending into the maelstrom. (My Dago genetics never permitted me to be that person. Ha!)
The Crown weighs heavy, Dr. Folt….
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Well, at least she going out in public for sporting events! I never saw her predecessor do that.. He was in some back room doing something illegal.
I do have to give her kudos for firing that pompous Twit Swann.. That was Big at the time. But now it seems her decisions are flawed and influenced by Trustee Caruso.
She hired Bohn, but never gave him any authority to hire anybody.
Over the last 3 or 4 months, I’ve contacted Folt’s office, asking to speak to her or a call back.. Zero response back..
So I’ve personally talked to her personal secretary Leslee and expressed my concerns
About the current Football program ran by Helton.
I suggested that she form a committee of Ex USC Football Players for advise on a selection of a new head coach.. No Response!
I suggested Urban Meyer or San Diego State’s Rocky Long.. who just won again last night, to get this program uprighted and on a positive course. No Response!!
You would think that as a former Captain that went 33-2-2 and went to 4 Straight Rose Bowls would have something to listen to!
No Response from Her!!
You would think The latest recruiting fiasco having SC dead last in the Pac12 and 80th Nationally would raise some eyebrows somewhere in the administration building,
But again, No Response!!
So, unfortunately, I’m hoping SC gets beat by Iowa and gets embarrassed again.
Maybe she’ll then fire Helton and hire Meyer or Long or Del Rio or Jeff Fisher..
Anybody is better that Helton!
Abysmal NFL draft picks shows he and his staff can’t coach up players for the next level!
And that’s with 4-5 star classes from previous years.
Anyway, as you can see, I’m very frustrated and disappointed.
Bob Jensen 1969 CoCaptain
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Agree with everything you said, Bob—except the part about USC getting beat in the Holiday Bowl. Pittman and crew are gonna put it on the line once more —-with little or no help from Helton, Clancy or Baxter—and I’d like to see them prevail. [Helton will get what’s coming to him when he faces Alabama and Saban —- and things are gonna get way hotter for Folt and Bohn]…….
#…AndTheyKnowIt
P. S.
Folt not taking a call from a Trojan hero is inexcusable. Where is this lady’s head at?
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Thanks for the efforts, Cap’n Jensen.
You know where to find me.
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Bob – The problem is that Folt is Caruso’s lapdog. Do you remember seeing the photo of Caruso and Folt visiting practice the week after the Oregon blow-out?
My guess is that Caruso is a control freak and surrounds himself with weak people so they just do what he says.
Folt was fired at her last job. She didnt handle the statue issue well. She isnt some big visionary that is going to make USC into a top 10 academic school. So she will simply follow Caruso’s direction. The only way to change things at SC would be to influence Caruso.
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Bob,
The fact that a new USC president is not responding to prominent alumni is troubling.
This to me reflects several negative things:
1] At the very least, a lack of organization/systems to respond to out-reach by those her office serves. Perhaps this will improve with time… we’ll have to see.
2] A perceived lack of interest in valuable input from those associated with the University, especially a prominent former player such as you.
3] A lack of concern for the fundamental values that make USC what it is and should always be – a quality institution that has a balance of academic excellence, athletic excellence, and an alumni network that is second to no other university. USC is a Family.
Bad actions by those involved at USC need to be dealt with, and those responsible for the transgressions brought to justice. That does not mean however, USC needs to fundamentally change – nor should it be seen as an ‘opportunity’ to do so – #MeToo does not belong here, nor do politics, in the decision-making process.
Truly hope that Ms. Folt decides to pay attention to the alumni of our alma mater, and to their concerns. It’s more than just about winning football, it’s about staying true to what has mattered to the Trojan Family for as long as I’ve had the honor of being a part of it.
Fight on Forever. Merry Christmas to all on this blog.
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Merry Christmas, Juan4SC.
Nice to have you around.
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Folt told this guy to leave after he got in her face. Waaaaaah, poor thing. Good thing you let us know about this terrible trauma the guy suffered.
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As a proud alum, it is distributing that some fans are causing USC to earn the old derogatory monicker – University of Spoiled Children.
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If this interaction with the fan is true, it is interesting that she felt the right to tell him to leave. He has as much right to be there as she does and has the right to express his opinion.
Honestly, the question I would ask of Folt is her definition of integrity. Clay has been lying more and more each day after he was retained. Folt and Bohn have also had to tell whoppers. If I had the chance to talk to her, I would most want to tell her that my opinion is that they should drop integrity as a reason for keeping Clay and make a decision on other factors – because Clay is not increasing the notion of integrity.
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Y’all noticed something? Plain clothes security was nowhere to be found before that horrible coaching decision. Now it goes with her everywhere. You know you f*cked up if you need hired goons to follow you. Poor Bohn got thrown under the bus, and run outta town. They probably gave him time off to consider whether he wants to go forward with being AD.
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Folt deserved the fan encounter at the game. Unless you confront people like her, they seem to think they can do anything they want, especially lie. Don’t think she wasn’t rattled. She just took the job, and no one wants her. OF course she isn’t responding to anyone because she wants it all to go away, which it won’t. In the short term she may have won whatever she thinks she did, but they all are running with fear in their veins. Keep it up, trojan faithful. Keep her on the hot seat. Even if she doesn’t respond, she knows. She may resign because 99% of people under this kind of pressure, buckle. Helton will probably lose the holiday bowl because he can’t possibly function having lost another season, finished last in the stinky Pac 12 and couldn’t recruit one top SoCal player. That has to hurt.
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