University Southern California Trojans
USC-UCLA Baseball Series This Weekend To Decide Lexus Gauntlet Trophy
May 22, 2002
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LOS ANGELES - What started last September with the first of 36 events in 18 sports between USC and UCLA in the 2001-02 season has come down to this: the inaugural Lexus Gauntlet trophy will be decided on the final weekend of competition between the two universities!
If the Bruins' baseball team beats USC just once in the Pac-10 regular-season ending three-game series this Friday, Saturday and Sunday (May 24-25-26) at UCLA's Jackie Robinson Stadium, the Bruins will claim the Gauntlet. On the other hand, the Trojans not only need to sweep the series to claim the Gauntlet, but three victories would clinch the Pac-10 title for USC.
"It's a testament to how competitive and balanced both athletic programs are that the Lexus Gauntlet winner will be decided at the very end of the year," said USC athletic director Mike Garrett. "When the idea of the Lexus Gauntlet trophy was conceived, I don't think anyone predicted it would end up like this. This really puts an exclamation point on the rivalry."
Said UCLA athletic director Pete Dalis: "Isn't it appropriate that UCLA and USC compete all year long, but the winner of the Lexus Gauntlet trophy won't be determined until the very end? I'm sure fans from both schools have enjoyed tracking the point totals of their favorite institution throughout the year."
Currently, the Bruins hold a 55-52.5 lead in the Lexus Gauntlet standings. USC needs to win just once more in baseball to win the season series (Troy won three earlier-season meetings with the Bruins) and claim 2.5 more points to force a 55-55 tie. But the Trojans need to sweep in order to hold the tiebreaker, as they then would have a 16-15 edge in head-to-head regular season meetings in all sports. If USC doesn't sweep, UCLA would win the tiebreaker.
Both baseball coaches understand the significance of this weekend's games.
"Whenever UCLA and USC meet in any sport, it means a lot because of the rivalry," said UCLA coach Gary Adams. "But these upcoming games have even more to them: we can bring home the Lexus Gauntlet for the UCLA athletic department."
Added USC coach Mike Gillespie: "This week's series with UCLA has a lot on the line. We need to win all three games to guarantee the Pac-10 championship and the Lexus Gauntlet trophy. It'll be tough, but it'll be fun and exciting. So, what else is new? It's just another typical USC-UCLA get together. We hope it has a happy ending for us."
The battle for the Lexus Gauntlet trophy encompasses a season-long all-sports competition between USC and UCLA in which the Trojans and Bruins compete against each other in 18 sports. Five points are awarded to the winner of the each sport's season series or, for those sports that don't meet head-to-head, the team that places higher in the conference championship (10 points are awarded in football, men's and women's basketball and women's volleyball).
The Southern California Lexus Dealer Association is the title sponsor of every USC-UCLA athletic competition. This is the first time the two universities have partnered with a corporate entity for complete rivalry sponsorship. In the fall of 2001, the schools signed a 4-year contract of undisclosed terms with Lexus, America's best-selling luxury automotive manufacturer for two years in a row.
Up-to-date releases and point standings can be found at www.gauntlettrophy.com.
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