About a year ago, I rekindled memories of the Olympic Auditorium. So it is fitting to pay tribute to Gene Lebell, who died August 9. He was 89. Depending on your age, Lebell was either a judo champion, wrestler, actor, stuntman, wrestling referee or Olympic Auditorium fixture. His mother, Aileen Eaton, promoted boxing and wrestling at the Olympic. Lebell won both the heavyweight class and … Continue reading Sunday Buzz: Remembering Gene Lebell

Six fraternities chose to disaffiliate from USC in response to strict rules enacted after multiple accusations of sexual assault at parties last year. Kappa Alpha Order, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Mu, Sigma Chi, Tau Kappa Epsilon and Zeta Beta Tau have cut ties. That’s six of 15 fraternities in USC’s Interfraternity Council. “We are disappointed that some USC fraternities are following an unfortunate national … Continue reading Saturday Buzz: Six Fraternities Cut Ties To USC

USC and UCLA’s move to Big 10 is being cited to argue college athletes are employees in amicus brief in federal court. “To pretend that this type of exhausting travel schedule over five short months is part-and-parcel of a student’s educational experience ignores reality,” the lawsuit states. Continue reading USC Saturday Buzz: Big Ten Move Used In Legal Case

A new book by L.A. Times reporter Paul Pringle covers the scandal involving former USC medical school dean Carmen Puliafito, who partied in a Pasadena hotel room with a young drug addict who overdosed on crystal meth and GHB. The book, “Bad City: Peril and Power in the City of Angels,” also covers another interesting angle: How the Times covered up the story and prevented Pringle from … Continue reading Power Protected Power In USC Scandal

Former USC water polo coach Jovan Vavic could get a new trial after the judge hinted today that a key legal issue could his convinction, according to Law360.com. The judge in the case expressed “skepticism about whether USC could be considered a victim in the scheme to admit wealthy children through bribery.” “What was the evidence here of harm to the university, other than the … Continue reading Jovan Vavic Might Get New Trial

Suzanne Nora Johnson has been elected the next Chair of the USC Board of Trustees, effective immediately. Johnson, 65, is co-chair of the Brookings Institution and previously worked for Goldman Sachs. Last week, Brookings was in the news because president John Allen resigned following allegations he illegally lobbied for Qatar. Qatar contributed tens of millions of dollars to Brookings before the funding relationship ended last … Continue reading USC Names Replacement For Rick Caruso