The Heritage Initiative

By Jordan Moore on August 21, 2012 12:03 PM | No Comments

USC Athletics announced the launch of a $300 million fundraising campaign, "The Heritage Initiative," in an effort to provide the best athletic and academic facilities for the nation's best collegiate athletes. The ambitious goal will support capital projects, annual scholarships for student-athletes, academic support and programming costs, endowments, and recruitment and retention of coaches and staff.

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"We have an athletic heritage unmatched by most universities and we look forward to building upon that heritage," said USC Charles Griffin Cale Director of Athletics' Chair Pat Haden, a former Trojan quarterback and Rhodes Scholar. "Along with our great fans and supporters, we are extremely proud of the achievements of our Trojan student-athletes. They win national championships and Olympic gold medals at an unparalleled rate while excelling in academics and volunteering in the local community. And they are coached by some of the best coaches in the world."

USC Athletics is already halfway to achieving the lofty $300 million mark. The next faze includes the 125th anniversary season in 2013-14 as well as capital projects like the Uytengsu Aquatics Center, the Heritage Hall renovation and the Merle Norman Stadium for sand volleyball.

"The opening of the John McKay Center is an especially appropriate time to announce our 'Heritage Initiative,'" said Haden. "We are going from 30 years behind the times in our facilities to moving 30 years ahead of our competitors."

(Photo of Pat Haden and Max Nikias by Pierson Clair)