Richard Saukko (2009) - USC Athletics Hall of Fame

Richard Saukko

Induction:
2009

Richard Saukko earned distinction as the Trojan warrior riding USC mascot Traveler at Trojan football games in the Coliseum for 28 years (1961-88). Whenever USC scored, the band would play “Conquest” and Saukko would gallop Traveler around the stadium. He owned and trained the famous white horse and crafted the Trojan outfit he wore, which was modeled after the garb worn by Charlton Heston in the movie “Ben-Hur.” He was discovered by USC in 1961 when he was riding a horse in the Rose Parade, an event in which he often participated. When not astride Traveler, he was a paint company executive. He died on March 5, 1992, at the age of 72.