University Southern California Trojans
Trojan Talk: Fall 1999
June 21, 1999 | USC Athletics
From the Director
As football season approaches again, I find myself looking back fondly at the last game we played in the Coliseum?last November's tense 10-0 victory over Notre Dame.
It was memorable, of course, because any victory over Notre Dame is memorable, but also because of the way our crowd responded.
They say sports fans in Southern California are laid back, and quite often they are. But as I watched the game that night the screaming from our fans was so loud that it gave me the chills.
The noise had more impact than that on our team. In a game that was scoreless in the third quarter, it was critical in helping us win. You rooters changed the momentum of the game.
I bring this up today, because coach Paul Hackett will tell you that we're at a critical stage in the development of our program. We're determined to restore USC football to greatness -- and we need your help.
"My whole theme this season is that we must take the next step as a program," coach Hackett says. "As we do, we want our fans to take the next step with us.
"In the second half of the Notre Dame game, it was absolutely electric in the Coliseum. The fans gave us a big boost, and I want them to know how much our team appreciated it.
"If I could talk to every fan, I would say, 'You can really make a difference this season, particularly when games are in the balance. It's up to us to elevate our performance on the field, but you can help us do it. You did it against Notre Dame.'"
When I played football, I was determined to play every down to the best of my ability. But no matter how motivated a player is, it's amazing how much a loud crowd helps. It helped me as a player. It will help our team now. Please become our 12th man this season.
- Mike Garrett
Women's Track Team Third in Country as Williams Wins 100
The women's track team at USC has never won the national championship, but, given a boost by freshman Angela Williams' victory in the 100 meters, they were oh-so-close this year.
Coached by Ron Allice and Barbara Edmonson, the Women of Troy finished third in the NCAA meet with 58 points, just behind Texas (62) and runner-up UCLA (60).
The meet came down to the final event, the 1,600-meter relay, which Texas won, with USC second and UCLA third. USC anchor Kinshasa Davis, just a freshman, passed UCLA's Michelle Perry in the final straightaway, which prevented the Bruins from tying Texas for the championship.
The winning Texas team ran 3:27.08, a collegiate record, while USC ran 3:28.08 and UCLA 3:29.41. Junior Natasha Danvers, sophomore Malika Edmonson and sophomore Brigita Langerholc joined Davis on USC's relay team.
Williams' victory in the 100 meters came in a USC and national junior record time of 11.04.
"This is the greatest day of my life," Williams said. "It's like the Olympics."
"Angela is an amazing athlete -- very gifted," said Allice, USC's director of track and field. "She's an exceptional starter. She was on top right away in the race and kept her focus all the way."
Williams also led off the USC 400-meter relay team that ran second in 43.52, joining senior Torri Edwards, Edmonson and senior Esi Benyarku.
Meanwhile, senior Grazyna Penc was second in the 1,500, and USC also got high NCAA finishes from Langerholc (third in the 800), junior Pam Simpson (third in the long jump) and Danvers (fourth in the 400 intermediate hurdles). Sophomore Jennifer Vail added some unexpected points with a sixth in the hammer throw.
In the Pac-10 meet, the USC women won six events and had five second-place finishes as they came in second behind UCLA.
Edwards won the 100 (11.33) and 200 (23.23), with Williams, the NCAA champ, second in the 100. Other USC Pac-10 winners were Langerholc in the 800 (2:05.85), junior Anna Lopaciuch in the 1,500 (4:25.79), Danvers in the intermediate hurdles (55.75) and the 1,600-meter relay team (3:31.63).
Penc was second in both the 800 and 1,500, and Danvers was second in the high hurdles.
Davis Wins 4 Events To Lead Men's Track Team Past UCLA for Pac-10 Title
For the second time in three years, USC has won the men's Pac-10 championship, and for the second time in three years, the Trojans were spurred to victory by the flying feet of Jerome Davis.
In 1997, when USC won its first Pac-10 title in 20 years, Davis won the 400, was second in the 200 and anchored both winning relay teams. Two years later, as a senior, he was even more sensational, winning both the 200 and 400 and again anchoring both relay teams to victory.
In all, he had a hand in four victories and 40 points as USC outscored second-place UCLA by 28 points. The Trojans' total of 164 was the fourth-highest in Pac-10 history.
"Jerome Davis will go down as one of the greatest Trojans ever," said USC director of track and field Ron Allice. "He is very, very special.
"Track is an individual sport, but Jerome defines its team aspect as well as anyone ever has here. His contributions to USC and his point production over the years have been tremendous.
"In the Pac-10 meet, he did everything but drive the team bus."
Counting preliminaries and finals, Davis ran six tough races in two days.
With his victory in the 400 in a lifetime best 44.95, Davis became only the fifth man in conference history to win an event four years in a row and the first to pull off that feat in the 400.
In the 1,600-meter relay, he ran even faster, ripping off a 43.8 anchor split to come from 15 yards behind UCLA's Brian Fell to give USC the victory. The Trojans' time of 3:02.68 was a meet record, with juniors LeRoy Jordan, DeJon Joyner and Felix Sanchez running the first three legs.
In winning the 200, Davis ran 20.58. In the 400-meter relay, he anchored the Trojans to a winning time of 39.46.
In all, the Trojan men had eight first places in the Pac-10 meet. Other winners included freshman Sultan McCullough in the 100 (10.18), Sanchez in the 400 intermediate hurdles (50.00), sophomore Norbert Horvath in the hammer throw (227-9) and junior Gordon Hovey in the discus (188-3). USC also had four second-place finishes, including sophomore basketball player Jeff Trepagnier's leap of 7-01/2 in the high jump.
Less than two weeks later, in the NCAA meet, the men finished fifth, scoring 33 points as two hamstring injuries severely damaged their hopes.
After winning his opening heat, McCullough was injured in the 100 semifinals and eliminated. In the 1,600 relay, junior Vince Williams pulled a hamstring on the second lap and dragged his leg the last 100 meters. When Davis got the baton a lap later, the deficit was obviously too great, and the USC team finished seventh.
Davis did anchor the 400-meter relay team, including freshman Miguel Fletcher, McCullough and senior Charles Lee, to a second-place finish in 39.15. Davis also was third in the 400, while Lee was third in the 200. In the hammer, Horvath threw a lifetime-best 241-11 for second place.
FOOTBALL BULLETIN BOARD...
Salute to Troy Scheduled for August 27
Football season starts in early September, but the first kickoff is on Friday night, August 27. That's the date of Salute to Troy, the annual season-opening event on Dedeaux Field, which is open to all USC fans. It's always one of the highlights of the year.
Salute to Troy will honor the 1999 football team, along with the 25- and 50-year anniversary teams (1974 and 1949), which are sponsored by Trojan Football Alumni Club. John McKay's 1974 team beat Ohio State in the Rose Bowl and won the national championship.
Join Coach Hackett at Monday Morning Quarterback Club Luncheons
To find out what really happened in each USC football game, plan to attend the weekly Monday Morning Quarterback Club Luncheons in Town & Gown this season. Lunch begins at 11:30 a.m., and football coach Paul Hackett will analyze game films, discuss strategy and answer questions at 12:15.
Weekly tickets are $15 for athletic support group members and $20 for non-members. The 10 luncheon dates are September 13-20-27, October 4-11-18-25 and November 8-15-22.
Full-season Monday Morning Quarterback Club memberships are also available. A $300 membership includes all 10 lunches, 10 raffle tickets at each meeting, free parking, a club polo shirt and a $50 tax deduction.
A $600 membership includes the first four benefits above, plus a complimentary reservation for the football awards dinner, recognition in the dinner program as a sponsor of the senior trophies and a $300 tax deduction. To purchase your season membership, please contact Brian Luft, assistant director of development, at (213) 740-4160.
Board of Counselors member Chris Maling is chairman of the Monday Morning Quarterback Club.
Football Picnics Are Open to All Athletic Support Group Members
There will be six pre-game football picnics this season -- one before each home game -- and for the first time, all athletic support group members are invited to attend.
All picnics will begin three hours before kickoff in front of the Olympic statues in the peristyle end of the Coliseum. Reservations must be made by noon on the Wednesday before each game.
All Aboard the Trojan Express to Notre Dame
From Chicago, the most relaxing way to go to the Notre Dame game is by train -- on the Trojan Express.
The Trojan Express leaves Saturday morning for South Bend and returns immediately after the game. Your ticket includes a hosted bar both ways, continental breakfast in the morning, a light meal on the return trip, a game program and party favors. More information will be mailed shortly.
For information or reservations for the Notre Dame train, pre-game picnics or Salute to Troy, please phone the athletic department at (213) 740-4155.
Marv Goux Will Head Trojan Club of the Desert
Former USC football player and assistant coach Marv Goux is the new president of the Trojan Club of the Desert.
The inspirational Goux was a USC assistant coach for 26 years (1957-1982), serving under three head coaches, Don Clark, John McKay and John Robinson.
Goux and all Trojan Club members are excited that the 2,000 by 2000 campaign continues to do very well. On July 1, six months before the deadline, Trojan Club membership had reached 1,848, just 152 short of the goal of 2,000 members.
So far, the individuals who have recruited the most new members include Margee Harris (39), Tom Zide (28) and Kip Sturgeon (10). The top three clubs in recruiting are the Trojan Club of San Gabriel Valley, the Trojan Club of San Fernando Valley and the Trojan Club of San Pedro Peninsula.
A Look at USC's Football Ticket Seating Policy
NOTE: This policy was developed by a committee of volunteer support group members five years ago. Their goals were to be fair and to continue the growth of annual giving in order to support an ever-increasing athletic scholarship budget that is now nearly $7 million a year. In addition, to build credibility, the policy has been gradually implemented over the last five years, allowing ticketholders the chance to upgrade before being moved.
Gallien Named Pac-10 Co-Coach of the Year in Women's Tennis
Richard Gallien, coach of the women's tennis team, has been named Pac-10 Co-Coach of the Year. He shares the honor with Stanford's Frank Brennan.
In his fourth year as coach, Gallien guided the USC women to second place in the Pac-10 (7-1 record) and to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Championships. The Women of Troy defeated Drake, San Diego and Miami in NCAA play, before losing to eventual national champion Stanford. USC was 21-9 in dual matches.
USC senior Ditta Huber, who was first-team All-Pac-10, reached the semifinals of the NCAA Singles Championships before losing to top-seeded Zuzana Lesenarova of San Diego, the eventual national champion. In USC's victory over San Diego 11 days earlier, Huber beat Lesenarova.
USC's top men's doubles team of junior Patrick Gottesleben and sophomore Roman Kukal also reached the semifinals of the NCAA Champion- ships, before losing to Nenad Toroman and Gareth Williams of Tulsa. Dick Leach's men's team had a 19-5 record, losing in the second round of NCAA play to Fresno State.
NEWS TO NOTE...
Williams Retires as Water Polo Coach After Winning National Title
John Williams, who guided the USC men's water polo team to its first-ever national championship last fall, is retiring after 26 years as head coach. He will be succeeded by Jovan Vavic, who teamed with Williams to win the national title. Vavic has served as co-head coach with Williams since 1995.
"Very few coaches have the opportunity to have their last game be an NCAA championship, and I'm going to take the opportunity to join that select crowd," said Williams, who had a career record of 449-253-7 (.638).
"I'm retiring with great memories of all the years and with great enthusiasm for the future of USC water polo. I'll still be very involved with helping the program to stay at the top, but I'll have more time for my family and business interests."
Williams will remain as the program's coach emeritus and be involved in annual fund-raising and long-range development.
Vavic, who was Williams' assistant from 1992-94 before becoming co-head coach, will coach both the men and the women. He led the women's water polo team to the 1999 national championship. Williams and Vavic were named the men's 1998 National Co-Coaches of the Year, and Vavic was recently named the women's 1999 National Coach of the Year.
"I wouldn't be where I am today without John," Vavic said, "because he gave me the opportunity to coach here. I'll forever be grateful to him."
Winston Named Athletic Fund-Raiser of Year
Senior associate athletic director Don Winston has been named university division 1999 Fund-Raiser of the Year by the National Association of Athletic Development Directors.
Winston, who came to the athletic department in 1983, is in charge of the development staff. In his career, he and his staff have raised approximately $100 million and increased athletic endowment from around $2.5 million to $70 million.
No official statistics are kept, but preliminary research indicates USC's athletic endowment may be the highest total in the nation.
Orwig Honored as Water Polo's National Player of Year
USC senior goalie Bernice Orwig, who led the women's water polo team to its first national championship last spring, has been named National Player of the Year by U.S. Water Polo.
Orwig was also named MVP in the national championship tournament as she made 27 saves in USC's four wins, including 11 in the title-game victory over Stanford. Orwig and freshman Aniko Pelle, who led the Women of Troy with 52 goals, were named to the All-American first team.
Allice, Davis Win Pac-10 Honors
USC director of track and field Ron Allice and senior sprinter Jerome Davis have won two major Pac-10 track and field awards. Allice has been named men's Pac-10 Coach of the Year, while Davis has been named men's Co-Athlete of the Year.
Allice coached the USC men to their second Pac-10 championship in the last three years, while Davis won four events in this season's Pac-10 meet. He captured the 200 and 400 and anchored the Trojans' two relay teams to victory.
Allice also was named West Region Coach of the Year by the U.S. Track Coaches Association.
Olympic Coach Haley Will Guide Women's Volleyball Team After 2000 Olympics
U.S. women's volleyball coach Mick Haley, who led Texas to a pair of national titles in the 1980s, will become head coach of the USC women's team after the 2000 Olympics.
Haley replaces Lisa Love, who resigned earlier this year after 10 successful seasons as coach to pursue a career in athletic administration. She has remained at USC as an associate athletic director. Jerritt Elliott, an assistant to Love the past four years, will serve as USC's interim head coach until Haley can assume his duties.
Before taking over the national team in 1997, Haley spent 17 seasons (1980-96) at Texas, where he compiled a 522-137-1 record (.792), while winning two national championships and 13 Southwest Conference titles.
Three Senior Athletes Honored for Leadership
Football players Chad Morton and Adam Abrams and baseball player Raul Lepe have been honored for exemplary leadership on campus and in the community during their USC careers. They received their awards during the Student Recognition Awards Program for graduating seniors.
Abrams and Lepe graduated this spring, while Morton, who has a season of eligibility remaining, will graduate after football season.
Baseball Team Reaches NCAA Second Round
The 1999 season didn't match 1998, but was rewarding, nevertheless, for USC's defending national champion baseball team.
The Trojans reached the second round of the NCAA playoffs, before being eliminated by Stanford, as three players earned first-team All-American honors and three more were named first-team All-Pac-10.
After a slow start, USC won 29 of its last 41 regular-season games, finished second in the Pac-10 and went 3-1 in winning the NCAA Regional on Dedeaux Field. But the Trojans lost two straight games to Stanford in the new "super regional" and were eliminated, thus missing the College World Series. The team's overall record was 36-26.
In the opener of the best-of-three super regional in Palo Alto, junior lefthander Barry Zito of USC pitched a complete game two-hitter and struck out eight, but lost 1-0. The Trojans lost the second game to the Cardinal 5-3.
Zito, who earned unanimous All-American honors, had won 11 successive starts before his 1-0 loss. He compiled a 12-3 record, with a 3.28 ERA, for the season, was 8-0 in eight starts in Pac-10 play and was selected as Pac-10 Pitcher of the Year. He struck out 16 in a game three different times.
Junior catcher Eric Munson was also a first-team All-American and was named MVP in the NCAA Los Angeles Regional after batting .500, including two home runs, in USC's four games. Despite missing 21 games with a broken hand, Munson hit .346 for the season, including 15 homers and 41 runs batted in.
Senior outfielder Jason Lane, another first-team All-American selection, led the club in hitting (.356), homers (20) and runs batted in (68). He also had a 2-0 record in 14 appearances as a pitcher.
Five Trojans earned first-team All-Pac-10 honors, including Zito, Lane, sophomore shortstop Seth Davidson, senior outfielder Greg Hanoian and senior second baseman Dominic Correa. Davidson batted .345, Hanoian hit .306 and drove in 46 runs, and Correa hit .330, including a dozen homers and 51 runs batted in. Correa also compiled a 1-1 record and an ERA of 2.31 as a pitcher.
Coach Mike Gillespie, who has guided USC to the playoffs 11 times in 13 years, including last year's national championship, won the 500th game of his Trojan career against San Diego State early in the season.
Women Golfers Win First Regional Title
The end of the season was frustrating, but this was a memorable year for USC's women golfers.
In their finest moment, the Women of Troy surged on the final day to win the NCAA West Regional at Pine Forest Country Club in Houston -- their first regional victory ever. Three USC women -- sophomore Jennifer Rosales (fourth) and freshman Leila Chartrand and sophomore Nicole Dalkas (tied for fifth) -- finished in the top five places.
Five strokes behind going into the last round, the USC women shot a 286 -- the second lowest round in Trojan history -- to win the regional by 11 strokes over tough Pac-10 rival Arizona. Two-time defending NCAA champion Arizona State was third, 14 strokes back.
"We made a huge move to win on the final day," said associate head coach Andrea Gaston. "It was really exciting for us to beat Arizona and Arizona State."
Two weeks later, however, the USC women were seventh in the NCAA Championships when rain washed out another final-day comeback. They were in the middle of shooting the second-lowest final round on the course and had moved into a fifth-place tie when heavy rain and lightning lashed the Tulsa (Oklahoma) Country Club.
The NCAA cancelled the final round, and scores in the tournament that was scheduled for 72 holes reverted to 54 holes. Duke was the 54-hole leader and declared NCAA champion.
In NCAA individual scoring, Rosales tied for fourth with a 54-hole total of 221 (eight over par).
In the West Regional, Rosales shot a 217 (one over par) when she finished fourth all alone, while Chartrand and Dalkas tied for fifth at 219. It was the first spring tournament for Dalkas, who had just recovered from a herniated disk in her back.
"Getting Nicole back in the lineup was a big boost for everybody," Gaston said. "For her to finish in fifth place was phenomenal."
Although Rosales plans to turn professional this year, Gaston expects to have another good team next season. Besides Dalkas and Chartrand, current junior Linda Ishii returns, and USC will add three good freshmen, topped by Candie Kung, the leading junior player in the country.
USC was ranked fourth in the final MasterCard Collegiate Golf Rankings this season. Individually, Rosales, the defending NCAA individual champion, was ranked first. She won two tournaments and finished second three times.
