Written by Caroline Deisley, USC blog contributor
Graduation brings an overwhelming swell of emotions, from feeling like Holden Caulfield wanting to avoid responsibilities for as long as possible, and feeling like Lewis and Clark ready to blindly embark on a scary, new adventure without any road map showing where to go and how to survive.
I'm certainly somewhere in the middle, not ready to say goodbye to the amazing experiences, coworkers and friends here at USC, but also extremely excited to continue the #USCtotheNFL tradition of excellence when I begin working for the Denver Broncos digital media team this June.For a 22-year-old, I've unfortunately said more goodbyes than someone my age should. If I've learned anything from these experiences, it's to focus your attention on all the unbelievably amazing memories that were shared rather than to remind yourself that time has run out for new ones. So instead of remembering that this is my final article, I've decided to highlight some of my favorite memories here, and to thank the people that made these experiences the most worthwhile.
I'll never forget my first post-game interview. I was a timid, nervous sophomore in charge of talking to players after the game. I don't remember anything about the game, who we were playing or the questions I asked. I do remember having to run up the tunnel and chase after Leonard Williams to get him to take his headphones off and do the interview. The only thing I remember from the actual interview was that the future first-round draft pick proceeded to drip sweat on my arm the entire time.
Shortly after either that game or the next, I was also tasked with getting an interview from one of the assistant coaches. This was during the early quarterback battle between Max Wittek and Cody Kessler, so I was trying to interview then-QB coach Clay Helton. I had somehow missed him, and he had already gone to grab his post-game meal. He then came out and while holding one of his children, proceeded to do the entire interview. I'll never forget my first impression of our future head football coach and how generous he was to agree to an interview when all he really wanted to do was celebrate with his family.
I'll also never forget the entire day from start to finish of the epic upset of Stanford two years ago. College GameDay was in town, which meant we had a 4:00 a.m. start time. Running on very little sleep, we proceeded to meet the entire GameDay staff, joke around with Lee Corso and take a photo with the crew on set. From there, we went on to work one of the best USC football games in recent years. After the game ended when the fans stormed the field, I just remember running around having no idea what to do and how to do my job while also wanting to celebrate with the Trojan faithful on the field.
There are countless more memories, from losing our minds in the wee hours of the morning at the NCAA Baseball Regional Final in Lake Elsinore to exploring Seattle entirely on my own with women's basketball to an incredibly unbelievable run to March Madness with the men. I experienced some pretty big moments that I will always remember, but I'm going to miss the random meals, conversations, throwing sessions prior to games and inside jokes the most.
All that being said, I wouldn't have experienced any of these things without a few of you reading this, so I wanted to thank some of you for all that you've done during my time at USC.
To the Trojan Family - Thank you for taking in a southerner straight out of the SEC and turning her into the biggest Cardinal & Gold supporter. There's no better place to be than in the Coliseum on Saturdays in the fall with 90,000 of your closest friends.
To the student-athletes - Thank you for letting me share your stories! We have incredibly special student-athletes here at USC and I've really enjoyed getting to know the ones that I have.
To David "Pops" Scott (Director of Football Equipment Operations) - I didn't officially feel accepted in the athletic department until I had a nickname and I will be forever grateful to you for getting "Boots" to stick and for always putting a smile on my face.
To Tim Tessalone (Sports Information Director) - Thanks for all that you do and for all the life advice, but most importantly thank you for teaching me to never go anywhere without a pen. I will never forget that one.
To Paul Goldberg (Senior Associate Sports Information Director) - Thanks for loving Richard Linklater as much as I do and for all the music/movie recommendations along with all the help over the years.
To John McGillen (Team Photographer) - Thanks for the headshot! Just kidding. Seriously, I'm so glad to have worked with you and all that goes into what may seem like a simple photo shoot.
To Sarah Bergstrom (Assistant Director of Social Media) - I am so thankful that I've been able to work alongside my best friend and share this experience with someone. I don't know what I'd do without your advice, support and encouragement. You continue to inspire me and I'll always remember that I wouldn't have had this job if it weren't for our random sports conversations after class!
To Jordan Moore (Director of Social Media) - Thank you is never enough, but thanks for giving me the opportunity to work for you three years ago and for all the opportunities you've given me since. Your belief in me gave me the confidence to achieve all that I have and I can't imagine working for someone else.
To my mom and brother - Thanks for the overwhelming amount of support these last four years and for understanding when I would forget to text you back or couldn't come home as often as I wanted.
And to my late father, best friend and person I miss the most every day - Daddy, we did it!!
Thanks for the opportunities, experiences, all the ups and the downs, but most of all thanks for the memories. Fight On!
