Presenting USC’s 123rd National Champions: Continuing a Trojan Tradition

By Emily Young MA ‘16

One of the main aspects that drew me to University of Southern California was its history of athletic excellence. Since 1912, a USC athlete has won a gold medal in every summer Olympics. USC has produced more Olympians, overall medalists, and gold medalists than any other university in the United States. USC athletics is rich with tradition and it is displayed all around us: the pillars in the Louis Zamperini Plaza of Cromwell Track and Field, Heritage Hall, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, and even Tommy Trojan himself was modeled after different USC Football players. There is pride, history, and distinction in putting on a USC jersey. That is why hoisting USC’s 123rd National Championship Ring is so meaningful—it’s tradition.

Winning the AVCA Collegiate Sand Volleyball National Championships with the USC Sand Volleyball team is a feeling I will never forget. Jubilation, excitement, and validation—we are #1. We were so proud to win, but more so, we are proud to be Trojans.  

Holding our National Championship Rings up during the football game Saturday night and hearing every USC fan cheer is what being a Trojan is all about. The National Championship Ring is a symbol of USC’s athletic excellence. It represents the legacy of those that came before us and inspires those that will follow. I couldn’t be prouder to wear it.  

Fight On!