University Southern California Trojans
State of Troy: January 2018
January 25, 2018 | Football, Men's Basketball, Trojan Athletic Fund, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
Each month, we sit down with USC athletic director Lynn Swann to get his take on the hot topics around Heritage Hall.
Swann on Monday's Coliseum groundbreaking…
We have a great opportunity to renovate the Coliseum. Thanks in part to a very large group, starting with our President Max Nikias, the contractors, architects and builders, our former athletic director Pat Haden - who has been a vital part of this - our development team, and the Coliseum staff, all those people and our wonderful, generous supporters have pulled it all together to raise the money and make it work, so we can get started on time. That is a major accomplishment. This is all part of the continued growth of the university, but it's also going to create a great home field advantage and game day experience for our players, students, alumni and fans. When football does well, not just in terms of wins and losses, but financially, it is the foundation of our athletic department. We have set ourselves up to have great success for a long period of time.
Click here to watch the construction cam.
Swann on football heading into the offseason…
The offseason is always a planning stage. Our stage is set by who we recruit and who is coming in. The early signing period has made this year a little bit different and forced our coaches and recruiting department to adjust. We have a good group of young men already signed up, and we are waiting to see what happens on National Signing Day (February 7). In our long range plan to compete for championships year after year, Clay Helton continues to move that forward.
Click here to purchase 2018 football season tickets.
Swann on men's basketball's progress during conference play…
I see our team developing. They have overcome a few setbacks in the early part of the season, but they seem to have found their footing. I like the pace at which they are playing. They are confident in who is going to play and how they are going to play. They are sharing the basketball and playing as one.
Click here for men's basketball tickets.
Swann on women's basketball at the midway point of conference play…
I have seen great improvement this season. They do not have great depth, so we ask a lot of the six or seven women who play most of the time. Mark Trakh has managed that very well. Are we where we want to be in terms of wins and losses? Not quite yet. But, I am confident that we will see that as we recruit.
Click here for women's basketball tickets.
Swann on men's volleyball's start to the season…
I think Jeff Nygaard is changing the culture of men's volleyball. He is playing a lot of freshmen. They have played some close matches against really good teams like Ohio State and Penn State. As soon as they learn how to close out matches, this is going to be a really solid volleyball team.
Click here for men's volleyball tickets.
Swann on track & field hosting the Power 5 Trailblazer Challenge (March 23-24)…
We are really excited about this meet, and we are trying to get the whole campus involved. This event will bring together the five women who are head coaches of both the men's and women's track & field programs at Power 5 schools. It was Caryl Smith-Gilbert's brilliant idea. I am hoping that the student body and our alumni will rally and attend this track meet in great numbers because it is unique and it should be spectacular.
Swann on the hiring of Brent Crouch to lead women's volleyball…
We wanted someone with head coaching experience and a talented recruiter. It was a terrific time to find a new coach because our team is still solid. All too often, transitions come when your team is down, but we have a lot of talent. We wanted a coach to come in who can develop that talent, and we believe we have found that in Brent Crouch.
Click here to learn more about Crouch.
Swann on the effect of the new tax laws on Trojan Athletic Fund memberships…
From administration to administration in our federal government, there are always rules and regulations that require us to readjust. We still have a lot to learn about these changes. We are working diligently to determine the impact of these changes and advise our support group members to speak with their tax specialists. I have no doubt that our Trojan Family will continue to be loyal, and we will communicate with them every step of the way.
We have a great opportunity to renovate the Coliseum. Thanks in part to a very large group, starting with our President Max Nikias, the contractors, architects and builders, our former athletic director Pat Haden - who has been a vital part of this - our development team, and the Coliseum staff, all those people and our wonderful, generous supporters have pulled it all together to raise the money and make it work, so we can get started on time. That is a major accomplishment. This is all part of the continued growth of the university, but it's also going to create a great home field advantage and game day experience for our players, students, alumni and fans. When football does well, not just in terms of wins and losses, but financially, it is the foundation of our athletic department. We have set ourselves up to have great success for a long period of time.Click here to watch the construction cam.
Swann on football heading into the offseason…
The offseason is always a planning stage. Our stage is set by who we recruit and who is coming in. The early signing period has made this year a little bit different and forced our coaches and recruiting department to adjust. We have a good group of young men already signed up, and we are waiting to see what happens on National Signing Day (February 7). In our long range plan to compete for championships year after year, Clay Helton continues to move that forward.
Click here to purchase 2018 football season tickets.
Swann on men's basketball's progress during conference play…
I see our team developing. They have overcome a few setbacks in the early part of the season, but they seem to have found their footing. I like the pace at which they are playing. They are confident in who is going to play and how they are going to play. They are sharing the basketball and playing as one.
Click here for men's basketball tickets.
Swann on women's basketball at the midway point of conference play…
I have seen great improvement this season. They do not have great depth, so we ask a lot of the six or seven women who play most of the time. Mark Trakh has managed that very well. Are we where we want to be in terms of wins and losses? Not quite yet. But, I am confident that we will see that as we recruit.
Click here for women's basketball tickets.
Swann on men's volleyball's start to the season…
I think Jeff Nygaard is changing the culture of men's volleyball. He is playing a lot of freshmen. They have played some close matches against really good teams like Ohio State and Penn State. As soon as they learn how to close out matches, this is going to be a really solid volleyball team.
Click here for men's volleyball tickets.
Swann on track & field hosting the Power 5 Trailblazer Challenge (March 23-24)…We are really excited about this meet, and we are trying to get the whole campus involved. This event will bring together the five women who are head coaches of both the men's and women's track & field programs at Power 5 schools. It was Caryl Smith-Gilbert's brilliant idea. I am hoping that the student body and our alumni will rally and attend this track meet in great numbers because it is unique and it should be spectacular.
Swann on the hiring of Brent Crouch to lead women's volleyball…
We wanted someone with head coaching experience and a talented recruiter. It was a terrific time to find a new coach because our team is still solid. All too often, transitions come when your team is down, but we have a lot of talent. We wanted a coach to come in who can develop that talent, and we believe we have found that in Brent Crouch.
Click here to learn more about Crouch.
Swann on the effect of the new tax laws on Trojan Athletic Fund memberships…
From administration to administration in our federal government, there are always rules and regulations that require us to readjust. We still have a lot to learn about these changes. We are working diligently to determine the impact of these changes and advise our support group members to speak with their tax specialists. I have no doubt that our Trojan Family will continue to be loyal, and we will communicate with them every step of the way.
USC Men's Volleyball vs Princeton Highlights | Trojans win 3-1
Friday, January 16
USC Men's Volleyball at Vanguard Highlights | Trojans win 3-0
Thursday, January 15
USC Men's Volleyball vs. St. Thomas Aquinas Highlights | Trojans win 3-0
Saturday, January 10
USC Men's Basketball at Minnesota Postgame Press Conference (1/9/26)
Friday, January 09
