Haden on sand volleyball's perfect season and national championship...
Considering this is just our fourth season, it is remarkable. There are now over 50 teams playing sand volleyball, so this is no longer a minor sport. Next year, it becomes an official NCAA sponsored sport. We have had only a special few undefeated national champions here at USC, and I was lucky enough to play on one of them back in 1972, so I know how hard it is. To go from not fielding the sport to undefeated in four years is a real testament to coach Anna Collier and the students that she has recruited.Haden on another strong NFL Draft for the Trojans...
Playing in the NFL is a great job if you can get it. We know that one of the reasons students come here is because we have such a rich tradition of not only graduating our players, but also putting more in the NFL than any other school in the country. It is wonderful to chase that dream as long as you are not precluded from realizing other opportunities as well.
Haden on needing Trojan Athletic Fund members now more than ever...
If you have been paying attention to the conversations around collegiate athletics, you are aware of the budgetary challenges athletic departments are now facing. We want to do all that we possibly can for our students, including full cost of attendance, $1 million more in food, and the O'Bannon deferred compensation costs. This is why supporting the Trojan Athletic Fund is so critically important, so we can continue to have a broad based program. We have some great upcoming events, including the Trojan Huddles throughout Southern California, for returning and prospective Trojan Athletic Fund members.
Haden on the academic progress of the athletic department during his tenure as Graduation approaches...
I am very happy with the direction that we have taken in our academic profile over the last five years. We are graduating over 90% of our student athletes who complete their athletic eligibility at USC. We are just a few percentage points behind the general population, and we want to close that gap. It is not easy being a student here as well as an athlete, but we are making great progress.
Haden on the USC Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2015 being inducted next week...
We have 16 new members, and they are all phenomenal. Some of the names may not resonate with our younger fans, but if you look at someone like Jimmy Jones (pictured), who was an African-American quarterback here in the late 60's and early 70's, one of the very first in America, and the success that he had here and in his career, there are going to be so many stories like that among the 16. There will be names that people know like Pete Carroll, but even the names that you do not recognize, they are part of this rich fabric and tradition of USC athletics. It is really a stirring evening. It reminds you how deep and strong our athletic heritage is.
