FOOTBALL

If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column

There was a lively crowd at the Galen Center for USC’s 77-64 victory over UCLA.

The students were lined up around the block more than an hour before tipoff and USC celebrities were in sight as Caleb Williams and Rick Caruso took selfies with fans. Imagine the crowd Caruso would draw if he were mayor? Did anyone see Carol Folt and her bodyguard?

  • The Galen Center crowd was announced at 9,605. It was about 85 percent full — and loud. It’s still a travesty the opposing school’s band and cheerleaders are not allowed to attend the games.

RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK

  • I’ve featured the Currie’s Ice Cream shop before that was at USC but this is the first time I’ve seen a detailed listing of items for sale. I’m hungry already.
  • And now for some history:

Look at Charles White galloping through the Michigan defense in the Rose Bowl. Look at the sideline. You’ve got Marcus Allen (33) and Kevin Williams (8).

  • Have you ever seen USC fans tear down the goal posts at a game? It happened at the 1939 Rose Bowl and here it is complete with radio commentary.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
  • Here’s something I didn’t know. In 1948, the 102-piece Utah band showed up in the middle of the USC campus the day before the two schools played football at the Coliseum.

The “serenade” started at 2 p.m. and the Utes band was formally greeted by USC student president Johnny Davis. Not be outdone, USC band director Tommy Walker had his 100-piece band there to “counter-serenade” the Utah band.

In the early 1930’s, the TCU and SMU bands stopped at the USC campus to play on their way to football games at Santa Clara.

“It is the first time in our history that one of our actual opponents has pulled a serenade on us,” said Dick Nash, director of the athletic news service.

Art Bartner could be known for his tough band practices but in 1948, but Walker would hold practices at the Coliseum until 11 p.m. in prepartion for Saturday games.

Tommy Walker
  •  In 1947 Walker was USC band director and placekicker. How? He wore no pads under his football uniform and during halftime he would change into his drum major’s uniform and lead the band. One game, USC coach Jeff Cravath let him direct the band before the game and then change into his uniform. I don’t think Bartner can top that.

Walker broke the Pacific Coast Conference record for conversions in a season (19). Walker invented the “Charge” theme . . . “Da da da DUT da DUH!” at USC games that is famous today. Bartner can’t top that either.

  • What do we have here? It’s a USC bookstore ad from 1948 that not only features the old-time Trojan logo but shows his name was Butch.
  • This Daily Trojan preview box from the 1985 Baylor-USC game also featured “Butch.” He needs to be brought back.
  • Indulge me while I mention one of the best movies ever about journalism/newspapers, the 1952 classic “Deadline — U.S.A.” starring Humphrey Bogart. It’s a great movie that still holds up today and what’s amazing is how in New York City (ad below), you could see the movie and watch a complete stage show with singers, dancers and comedians

When did USC coaches start having a radio or TV show?

  • Well, Howard Jones had one in 1928. It was KHJ and he discussed the season-opener vs. Utah Agricultural, which later became Utah State. The Trojans won the game, 40-12.

Jones broadcasted his show from the second floor of the Student Union building. That was probably cutting edge that he didn’t have to go into the KHJ studio.

  • Last week I showed photos of the Daily Trojan from the early 1960’s featuring Allan Malamud. Here’s the newsroom in 1998. And it’s still a travesty the university wants to kick them out of the Student Union.

VIDEO OF THE WEEK

It’s the 1971 USC-Notre Dame game. USC was 2-4 while Notre Dame was 5-0.  Notre Dame was a 21-point favorite. 

What I love about this game is you have QB Mike Rae kicking extra points and All-American linebacker Willie Hall kicking off for the Trojans. There’s also Sam Cunningham and Lou Harris at tailback and Edesel Garrison catching two TD passes.

Advertisement

68 thoughts on “If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column”

    1. ED. SINCE THEIR CONFRONTATION SCOTT IS TOO SCARED OF ENFIELD TO REPORT MUCH OF ANYTHING

      SCOTT DID GIVE US A GOOD STROLL DOWN MEMORY LANE THO

      ANOTHER FRIDAY MASTERPIECE IN THAT REGARD.

      Liked by 4 people

      Reply

      1. George —several witnesses report Scott having to be restrained from thrashing Andy that night.
        #”Scott,YourHandsAreRegisteredAsDeadlyWeapons!”

        Liked by 1 person

      1. TIREDBUMMER, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery…” ~ O. Wilde.

        With your big mouth/petty pen, you should be able to concoct your own original UCLA loser shtick. Give it a shot big boy.

        #Cue: Video – Plagiarism: for fun and profit.

        Like

      2. I personally have nothing against, JOwns, other than the fact that he is a complete loser. I mean how else do you explain a UCLA fan hanging out at a USC blog.

        P.S. Owns, what George is engaging in is called parody. Too dense to pick up on it.

        Liked by 3 people

  6. Walton was at his best last night:

    “Mick better sit himself down! Somebody find him a small chair!”

    “Andy Enfield – the coach, the scholar, the teacher, the recruiter, what a marvelous job he has done!”

    HA!

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

    2. Yeah right! When did Andyain’twinning make the Final Four?

      #Just asking for a friend ’67.

      Generally ’67, SUCC Men’s BB considers its season a success if they defeat UCLA. So if SUCC went say, 1 – 31, and the one win was vs UCLA, they’d hang a banner in the Chicken Coop, and order commemorative, platinum rings with diamond clusters.

      #Cue: “In the Ghetto”

      BTW ’67, Walton never lost to SUCC BB.

      Like

      Reply

  7. It’s amazing to see how much USC touted the value of student expenses and emphasized the affordability of books and classes in those days. Now, with tuition at $64,000 a year and student expenses another $18,000, it’s insane to think that a middle class family who is pretty well off can dish out that kind of money for 4 or more years. I’ve stopped my family’s 80 years of giving to USC because it’s just not worth it. It’s become too expensive, too mismanaged with billion dollar scandals and it’s just too woke. My son won’t be able to go there, and he’s not really interested either. He wants to study aerospace engineering and the program here is lacking and way off the cutting edge. Sad how the university has abandoned its own

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Bryan,
      USC’s Brand New Official Definition of “it’s own”: Any parent willing to part with $300,000 is automatically a member of the Club. [And any student willing to buy off on the notion that Western Culture is responsible for the existence of evil in the cosmos —-and Plato, Shakespeare and Thomas Jefferson are complete frauds —becomes a member upon graduation]…..
      #See?It’sEasyToBecome”NotAbandoned”

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  8. Loved the 1939 Rose Bowl announcer calling the goal post scene – “unsuscredible!”
    Curries —the essence of 1950’s life: toughest decision of the day was “double deck coffee cone or hot fudge sundae?”
    #You’veDoneItAgain,Scott!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  10. Scooter,

    Do you remember when Mckay had a tv show with Stu Nahan on Channel 7 at 4 pm on Sunday. Mckay would just tell it the way he saw it. he would say oregon is not good enough to beat sc. he would go over the game film from the day before. loved it

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. Just watched the Tyre Nichols video. That particular “nigger” doing all the kicking and punching in the face needs a good ass whipping and life in prison…It was appealing and disgusting to see that type of behavior.

    I am not racist, but that’s the act of a “nigger”

    Like

    Reply

    1. Where was the leadership to de-escalate the situation? Looks like all 5 five will be indicted, they earned it! A total disregard for human life.

      A few bad apples give the police a bad name.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

    3. If you’re not a racist why are you using that word? Maybe because you are a racist? As well as being a stupid fucking moron! Eat shit and die you dumb bitch.

      Like

      Reply

      1. One black civilian vs five black officers. Why the fuss?
        Southside Chicago, 5-10 black homicides every weekend by black shooters —gang turf war.
        Nothing ever is said about that.
        Black mayor. Makes you wonder.

        This Memphis homicide is great for alinsky divide and conquer politics.

        Like

  12. #JoeBiden wants the impact of the #TyreNicols video to be as disturbing and painful as possible to Black Americans. Joe is an old-time #RaceBaiter and the most divisive president in American history. #Memphis

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. SHUT THE FUCK UP….This has nothing to do with Biden,,,,, fucking idiot. A person was killed, yet it’s about Biden? what a fucking mental midget…..

      Like

      Reply

    2. Of course he will, CR. He is without a doubt the most devisive President we’ve ever had.

      – No other President insisted on calling the other side the biggest domestic threat this nation is facing.
      – No other President weaponized the DOJ the way this one has.
      – No other President has attempted to create a Disinformation Governance Board to shut down anyone who doesn’t agree with his side.
      – No other President banned the media from the border.
      – No other President had his staff sending emails to social media companies instructing them which online posts to delete.

      They’re doing everything they can to push us towards a civil war and will blame the other side if & when it happens.

      But some idiots will try to deny these simple facts. Hey look! There’s one now! LOL

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. MORE FUCKING WHINING AND CRYING…..BIDEN DID THIS AND BIDEN DID THAT AND BIDEN DID THIS….BIDEN BIDEN BIDEN BIDEN BIDEN ….YOU HAVE FUCKING MENTAL ISSUES….GO SEE A DOCTOR….NO ONE IN THE CHAT ACTS LIKE YOU………HERE’S AN IDEA, DO BETTER IN 2024…O” WAIT THE GOP CAN’T WIN ANY ELECTION….HAHA….

        The guy in the WH has you all spun out……l love how you rage with anger, yet there’s not a fucking thing the mental midget can do. …..the non-red wave really really chapped your ass…haha!!! Keep slashing out, it proves how unhinged you are. No one gives a fuck what you have to say…..

        YOUR BOI KEVIN WILL ONLY LOSE SEATS IN 2024 AFTER HIS REVENGE TOUR IS OVER…. WITH ZERO RESULTS AND KITCHEN TABLES ISSUES GETTING KICKED TO THE CURB….ONE MORE TARGET YOU FOOLS WILL WASTE TIME ON, HUNTER HUNTER HUNTER HUNTER.

        WIPE THE DROOL AND GET THAT DIAPER CHANGED….IT’S A CRIME YOU MARINATE IN THE SAME DIAPER FOR DAYS….I KNOW, NO COIN TO PAY FOR ASSISTED LIVING…

        Like

      3. Typical response from the blog dunce. It’s quite obvious you lack the skills to debate yourself out of a paper bag. Poke the bear then run back into the hole.

        Like

      4. I can’t debate my way out of a bag, yet all you did in response to the facts I laid out is throw a juvenile tantrum, as usual. You really need professional help.

        Like

    3. I’ve watched the Tyre Nicol video and I don’t see the cops being overly violent. I was expecting a Rodney King beating. Nicol resisted arrest, he wouldn’t give up his hands, wouldn’t lie flat, and he “was on something “. The left is using to drum up rioting and to defund police.

      Like

      Reply

      1. Confirmation bias!…… Spoken like a far-right idiot, pushing a false narrative. Where has it been reported he “was on something”….more fucking lies.

        Like

      3. It was pretty dark and hard to see. The cops seemed to be mostly wrestling with Nicol … like I said I was expecting a Rodney King beat down. I don’t think they did, but prosecute the cops if they did wrong. I’m not going to give an inch to the radical Left.

        Like

      4. You’re exactly what’s wrong with the country. Always searching for ways to spread your divisive rhetoric. Any half-wit could perceive the cops were violating Tyre’s civil rights. Then you had to throw in he’s “on something”, based off of what, another lie Get educated, little man….

        Like

      6. Smith is a racist idiot…..far-right sack of shit……I should handcuff him and slap him around like a pinata….Let’s how he responds to getting a good ass whipping

        Liked by 1 person

      8. Smith and slo troll both need to be rehabilitated. The blog dunce(slo troll) is talking about fanatics on the right(his heroes) starting a “civil war” because the Dems earned it.

        What normal right-minded person talks about widespread violence against others because of differences in ideology?

        Regarding a civil war, the blog dunce would run in the opposite direction. I can’t even get the guy to meet me for a friendly conversation.

        Like

  13. Two times posted two times not there no explanation but third time is the charm.
    My dad used to tell me about the football playing band member. I told him I was a band kid, but he wanted A football player.
    A few corrections. First Tommy Walker was the drum major not the band director. Tommy Walker did kick extra points, but he really was a music major. All music majors had to march in the band. Clarence Sawhill was the band director not Tommy Walker. Scott makes an apples and oranges comparison.
    USC is proud of Tommy Walker. He was the entertainment director at Disney land from opening until 1966. He was also director of opening ceremonies for the 1984 Olympics. However he doesn’t hold a torch to Arthur Bartner. Bartner took a band of 80 members who were forced to be in band, and turned it into a band with its own IMDB page. The band has a platinum recording and has performed famous musicians and composers. Bartner directed the band of America at those Olympics.
    As for Ucla’s band not being allowed to attend the basketball game it is not a travesty. They can’t play well enough to send a pep-band. They use recordings of the Cal band playing the fight song. This is why Ucla has to pay Cal when they go to the Big 10, royalties.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    2. Also about Butch, my mom graduated from SC in the late 40s. She had Butch mascot patches and decals, which I remember vividly. When I started my first account on the blog, I used Butch as my avatar. Someone asked me why I was using Sparty the Michigan State mascot. (He has also called Butch) Anyway the best I can find is a student at Michigan State copied Butch and registered him for the school.
      Someone needs to put Scott on the history of Butch starting with the original art. SC probably never gave it away.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Guys —Check out USC wide receiver Edesel Garrison on the USC/Notre Dame video Scott posted. One spectacular catch after another…
        #[AndHeDidTheSameThingToUCLA]…

        Like

  14. Well, it is 8 p.m. in ‘The City of Angels,’ I am just getting in and finishing a hot-dog dinner as I read ol” Scott Wolf is at again, trying to ram-rod down our Troy-throats
    the idea that SC’s “Tommy Trojan” logo is not the sparkling handsome persona of ‘SC
    but that the root of its creation goes back to the 1950s when “Tommy” was, yes, Ugly–

    You recall the 1950s, well most of you don’t of course, but World War 2 was over,
    L.A. homes were being offered to War Veterans at $5000 pay me when you can, the world was in its ‘best shape’ maybe ever, and SC Football had a sense of humor

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

Gravatar
WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Twitter picture

You are commenting using your Twitter account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Cancel

Connecting to %s

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.