Swann on the Alabama game...
One game, especially the first game, does not make a season and does not break a season. Everyone in the Trojan Family would have liked to have been on the right side of an upset win over the No. 1 team in the country, but we are a better football team than the score indicated. The lopsidedness of the score was an indication of a few mistakes, broken assignments and playing against an extremely talented and deep football team. We can correct those mistakes. Most teams in college football make their greatest improvement between the first and third games of the season. We are looking for a lot of improvement in terms of assignments, not making mistakes and playing better football in the second game of the season against Utah State. I think we are a much better football team than we showed Saturday. Our ultimate goal is to win the Pac-12 and have a chance to be in the Rose Bowl. All other things come as a result of achieving that goal.Swann on the fighting spirit needed by all Trojans...
What we do and what we say is 'Fight On' and that's exactly what we do in the next game. You pick your head up and learn from the mistakes. You find the resolve to come back and play the next week. We always learn more from the difficult things we endure in life than the easy wins. We celebrate the victories, but we learn from the mistakes. As a demonstration of that mindset, every Friday here is 'Fight On Friday', so wear your Cardinal and Gold proudly. Come support all our teams and show your Trojan pride wherever you are.
Click here for tickets to USC vs. Utah State at the Coliseum.
Swann on women's soccer and women's volleyball bouncing back with winning weeks...
I watched the women's soccer team play earlier this year, and they looked extraordinary solid and talented. They are working on a few bugs to be a more cohesive team and a unit, but there's some remarkable talent out there. They have a great opportunity this week to host a Top 10 North Carolina team on Sunday (1 p.m.) at McAlister Field. And later this season, the Women of Troy will play a showcase game against UCLA at StubHub Center. Women's volleyball got off to a slow start, trying to replace some key players from last season. They have some young players who will have the chance to stand up and fight and do well. They have begun that process.
Click here for tickets to USC vs. UCLA at StubHub Center.
Swann on No. 2 men's water polo and head coach Jovan Vavic...Jovan has a great record and a unique style. He is very forthright and honest about his approach with the student-athletes. They have responded, obviously by their record, extraordinarily well. He is a demanding coach and his players have a huge track record to live up to and they don't shy away from it. You have got to admire that. He will continue to press and to push to get the most out of the young men and women who are under his charge. And, I look for him to continue to be successful.
Swann on the Los Angeles Rams' season starting...
It is a growing relationship between USC and the Rams. In general, there are different crowds going to each game, so everyone needs to be aware that there will be more traffic and activity around campus on NFL game days. Plus, along with the Rams, we have introduced new security measures this season, including metal detectors and a clear bag policy.
Click here for more on the new safety measures.
Swann on appreciating the life of a student-athlete...
Our student-athletes are extraordinarily busy. I get in the John McKay Center to work out at 5:30 a.m. and there are always student-athletes already training and starting their day. The dedication is impressive. You couple that with a full class load and participating in campus activities like fraternities and sororities and organizations, the daily schedule gets pretty stretched.
