University Southern California Trojans
Heritage Association Spotlight: Graf Family
August 18, 2017 | Trojan Athletic Fund, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
The Heritage Association Spotlight was created to profile USC student-athlete alumni who have given back to the university.
For Allan, Derek and Kevin Graf, there's no doubt that football is family.
Allan played guard at USC from 1970-72, winning the national championship in his final season. Decades later, he watched with pride as his two sons followed in his footsteps, anchoring the Trojan offensive line.
His eldest son, Derek, played center in 2002, while his youngest son, Kevin, played guard and tackle from 2010-13. Upon graduation, Derek pursued the same career path as his father: working as a stunt coordinator in Hollywood. Kevin, meanwhile, is pursuing a career in the NFL, currently with the reigning NFC champion Atlanta Falcons.
A love for USC and a desire to give back to USC Athletics strengthens the bond between father and sons. In 1991, Allan became a Cardinal and Gold member of Trojan Athletic Fund, which involves donating yearly to USC's student-athlete scholarship fund.
"I've been so proud because I went there, all my family went there and we've been big fans all our lives," Allan said. "SC has been good to us, and that's the reason for giving back."
For Derek, the decision to also join Cardinal and Gold was a no-brainer. "It was just what I always knew," he said. "From being a kid, we were always part of Cardinal and Gold, at the functions, having tickets and going to games, so it just felt like the natural thing to do once I got done playing."
The money that Allan, Derek and Kevin have donated through their memberships has gone toward improving the lives of USC student-athletes, from scholarships to tutoring and nutrition. The Grafs have also given back to the USC community in another way — by helping Trojan student-athletes get into the movie business.
Allan has been an actor and stunt coordinator for more than 30 years, and approximates he's hired more than 50 Trojans in that time. Derek, who has worked in a similar role in films such as Friday Night Lights, Silver Linings Playbook, Kicking and Screaming and more, relishes the opportunity to work alongside so many Trojans in Hollywood.
"It's been a lot of fun in the years since I played — my dad has gotten a lot of former players into the movie business, doing commercials, film and TV," he said. "I'm able to still go against the guys that I played against in practice every day at SC who are now consistently working in the movie business."
Whether it's by donating financially or by helping Trojans get started in a career in Hollywood, the Grafs are happy to give back to the university that's given them so much.
"For me, it was such a blessing to get to go to USC, especially having grown up at USC," said Derek. "Going to the games from a baby throughout high school, getting recruited and and the whole process of finally playing and being part of the team, it just felt like the natural thing to do. USC has given me and my family so much, that it's probably the least we could do to give back and help the university and contribute to be a part of it in every way we can."
If you are a member of the USC student-athlete alumni community, or would like more information about the Heritage Association, please click here!
For Allan, Derek and Kevin Graf, there's no doubt that football is family.
Allan played guard at USC from 1970-72, winning the national championship in his final season. Decades later, he watched with pride as his two sons followed in his footsteps, anchoring the Trojan offensive line.
His eldest son, Derek, played center in 2002, while his youngest son, Kevin, played guard and tackle from 2010-13. Upon graduation, Derek pursued the same career path as his father: working as a stunt coordinator in Hollywood. Kevin, meanwhile, is pursuing a career in the NFL, currently with the reigning NFC champion Atlanta Falcons.
A love for USC and a desire to give back to USC Athletics strengthens the bond between father and sons. In 1991, Allan became a Cardinal and Gold member of Trojan Athletic Fund, which involves donating yearly to USC's student-athlete scholarship fund.
"I've been so proud because I went there, all my family went there and we've been big fans all our lives," Allan said. "SC has been good to us, and that's the reason for giving back."
For Derek, the decision to also join Cardinal and Gold was a no-brainer. "It was just what I always knew," he said. "From being a kid, we were always part of Cardinal and Gold, at the functions, having tickets and going to games, so it just felt like the natural thing to do once I got done playing."
The money that Allan, Derek and Kevin have donated through their memberships has gone toward improving the lives of USC student-athletes, from scholarships to tutoring and nutrition. The Grafs have also given back to the USC community in another way — by helping Trojan student-athletes get into the movie business.
Allan has been an actor and stunt coordinator for more than 30 years, and approximates he's hired more than 50 Trojans in that time. Derek, who has worked in a similar role in films such as Friday Night Lights, Silver Linings Playbook, Kicking and Screaming and more, relishes the opportunity to work alongside so many Trojans in Hollywood.
"It's been a lot of fun in the years since I played — my dad has gotten a lot of former players into the movie business, doing commercials, film and TV," he said. "I'm able to still go against the guys that I played against in practice every day at SC who are now consistently working in the movie business."
Whether it's by donating financially or by helping Trojans get started in a career in Hollywood, the Grafs are happy to give back to the university that's given them so much.
"For me, it was such a blessing to get to go to USC, especially having grown up at USC," said Derek. "Going to the games from a baby throughout high school, getting recruited and and the whole process of finally playing and being part of the team, it just felt like the natural thing to do. USC has given me and my family so much, that it's probably the least we could do to give back and help the university and contribute to be a part of it in every way we can."
If you are a member of the USC student-athlete alumni community, or would like more information about the Heritage Association, please click here!
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