University Southern California Trojans
State of Troy: August 2017
August 30, 2017 | Football, Men's Water Polo, Women's Soccer, Women's Volleyball, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
Each month, we sit down with USC athletic director Lynn Swann to get his take on the hot topics around Heritage Hall and collegiate athletics.
Swann previews USC football's season opener…
Western Michigan was a strong program last year. They have a veteran team coming back, so you don't take them for granted. You play them hard. You play them straight. You don't try to do a whole lot because it's the first game out of the box and your team needs to find its rhythm. From that standpoint, we are ready. The coaches have done a nice job putting together a game plan and giving the players confidence over the last few weeks. It comes down to Saturday and executing and finding out what is the personality of this year's team.
Swann on managing expectations…
I sat down with Clay Helton and I talked about my expectations for the program and he has his expectations for the program, which he communicates to the players. We are on the same page. We understand what the goals are. Everybody wants to win a national championship, but it all begins with small steps on a road trying to get to the end and have a chance to play in that final game. We have to win against Western Michigan. We have not won a Pac-12 championship since 2008, so that's our first and foremost goal. Do that and everything moves the way it should.
Swann previews USC women's soccer's season…
I see a really good approach to it by Keidane McAlpine in terms of assessing the talent that he has. He has given his young players a lot of opportunities, so that they can help this year. He lost some great players, but he has recruited well and there is a lot of talent on this roster. He is not asking them to be the national champions right out of the box. He wants them to grow and build into it much like he did last year.
Swann previews USC women's volleyball's season…
I am proud of Mick Haley and the women's volleyball program. They started the season by winning the opening tournament, including a top 25 victory over Michigan. It is a great start for them and a great feeling for them to build up the momentum and improve this season.
Swann previews USC men's water polo's season…
Jovan Vavic is pretty consistent. When you talk to him, he talks about how the guys have to work harder. None of his men or women in the spring are short on practice time. He gets them out there. He motivates them. They are going to have a shot. With Jovan, you always have to wait and see because he wakes up every morning thinking that it is going to be a national championship season. And, he builds for it.
Swann previews USC football's season opener…
Western Michigan was a strong program last year. They have a veteran team coming back, so you don't take them for granted. You play them hard. You play them straight. You don't try to do a whole lot because it's the first game out of the box and your team needs to find its rhythm. From that standpoint, we are ready. The coaches have done a nice job putting together a game plan and giving the players confidence over the last few weeks. It comes down to Saturday and executing and finding out what is the personality of this year's team.Swann on managing expectations…
I sat down with Clay Helton and I talked about my expectations for the program and he has his expectations for the program, which he communicates to the players. We are on the same page. We understand what the goals are. Everybody wants to win a national championship, but it all begins with small steps on a road trying to get to the end and have a chance to play in that final game. We have to win against Western Michigan. We have not won a Pac-12 championship since 2008, so that's our first and foremost goal. Do that and everything moves the way it should.
Swann previews USC women's soccer's season…
I see a really good approach to it by Keidane McAlpine in terms of assessing the talent that he has. He has given his young players a lot of opportunities, so that they can help this year. He lost some great players, but he has recruited well and there is a lot of talent on this roster. He is not asking them to be the national champions right out of the box. He wants them to grow and build into it much like he did last year.
Swann previews USC women's volleyball's season…I am proud of Mick Haley and the women's volleyball program. They started the season by winning the opening tournament, including a top 25 victory over Michigan. It is a great start for them and a great feeling for them to build up the momentum and improve this season.
Swann previews USC men's water polo's season…
Jovan Vavic is pretty consistent. When you talk to him, he talks about how the guys have to work harder. None of his men or women in the spring are short on practice time. He gets them out there. He motivates them. They are going to have a shot. With Jovan, you always have to wait and see because he wakes up every morning thinking that it is going to be a national championship season. And, he builds for it.
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