Today is National Dog Day, so time to appreciate George Tirebiter. Here is the original Tirebiter, in full glory and living color, from the 1947 football season. On Oct. 22, 1947, a 30-car parade was held to crown him USC’s official mascot. This is not the cute cuddly Tirebiter that followed and became the model for the statue near Exposition Blvd. This is surly George, who bit … Continue reading The Friday USC Column Supplement

On July 20, 1969, 53 years ago today, Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin touched down in the Sea of Tranquility, becoming the first humans ever to land on the Moon. A year later, Armstrong gave an oral thesis defense for his master’s in aeronautical engineering at USC. He passed. There is a statue of Armstrong at USC. Continue reading A Big USC-Flavored Anniversary

It’s the Fourth of July and that means time to run this wonderful color photo of the fireworks show at the Coliseum in 1964, that even lit up Mudd Hall and the USC campus. The Mudd Hall Bell Tower was used in the 1923 version of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” And here’s a photo from the 1957 Coliseum fireworks show. Continue reading Happy Fourth Of July!

USC baseball used to play some games at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles, like this game vs. Cal in 1937. Don’t ask me why, but in 1936, the USC football team stopped in Dallas to visit the Texas Centennial Exposition. In the picture below, USC coach Howard Jones (in suit) sports a 10-gallon hat with his players. The guy without a hat is Braven Dyer, … Continue reading USC Sunday Supplement

Who remembers the Golden Cock Inn in San Gabriel? It was part of the Clearman’s restaurants and the old location is where the Galley and North Woods Inn are still open on Rosemead Blvd. and Huntington Dr. The waiting area had the circular fireplace in the center. Continue reading Time For Another Restaurant Break

Today is a good day to learn about Captain Ben L. Salomon, a graduate of the USC dental school, who served as a dentist-and-then-surgeon during World War II. Salomon was at Saipan in the Marianas Island when his aid station came under attack. From the Congressional Medal of Honor citation: “Firing from a squatting position, Captain Salomon quickly killed the enemy soldier. Then, as he … Continue reading A USC Memorial Day Story