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A Memorable Weekend for Trojan Parents

By Alexis Young on October 28, 2009 8:03 AM

  • A Memorable Weekend for Trojan Parents
  • Photo/Beth Saul

A record-breaking crowd of 5,000 parents signed up for the three-day Trojan Parents Weekend, 4,800 attended a pregame tailgate picnic and 7,000 cheered on the team at the USC vs. Oregon State football game.

After 10 months of planning, Beth Saul, assistant dean and director of parent programs, was pleased with the results. She reported positive feedback about the event and has already received email from parents expressing their gratitude.

Throughout the weekend, parents huddled around campus maps on their way to an array of scheduled events, including a tour of downtown Los Angeles, a parent panel on preparing for commencement and a conversation with celebrity parents Frank Gifford — National Football League Hall of Famer, broadcaster and former Trojan football star — and his wife Kathie Lee — talk show host, playwright and entertainer. Parents also had opportunities to watch the football team practice and attend various worship services.

One of the more popular events was an address at Bovard Auditorium by USC President Steven B. Sample. A line stretched from the doors of the auditorium through Founders Park.

Ann Erickson, mother of a sophomore public relations major and senior communications major, stood patiently in line. “I’ve come for four years because it’s fun,” said the Colorado resident. “I like the presidential address. It’s one of my favorite events.”

During his address, Sample talked to parents about the benefits of being a Trojan and explained why they should be proud to be part of the Trojan Family.

Recipients of the 2009 Parents Association Teaching and Mentoring Awards were honored during the address. Awards went to Steve Lamy, vice dean of USC College and international relations professor; Brian Rathbun, international relations assistant professor; Julia Plotts, USC Marshall School of Business assistant professor; and Stacy Smith, USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism associate professor.

After a lunch in Alumni Park with entertainment by the Trojan Marching Band and USC Song Leaders, Linda Wilkins and her son Barry, a freshman engineering major and member of the USC track and field team, mapped out a game plan for attending as many events as possible.

Wilkins, a resident of Indiana, said she was nervous about sending her only son “all the way to California” to attend USC, but Trojan Parents Weekend allayed her worries.

“When I got here, everyone was so nice and helpful,” Wilkins said. “I wanted to see how he was doing and get a feel for the university. I got to meet his roommate, and that was nice.”

No event encapsulated USC life better than Trojan Traditions, held in Bovard Auditorium. Art Bartner, director of the Trojan Marching Band, and Don Ludwig, executive director of spirit and traditions, presented a history of time-honored USC traditions and game-day routines.

“I see some parents coming in late,” Bartner said. “If you were in the band, that would cost you a lap around Bovard.”

As the band took the stage, parents did not hesitate to jump to their feet and dance along. Among the most enthusiastic were Tom and Judy Wilson, wearing matching T-shirts that read “Spirit of Troy Band Parents: Scott 2002, Janel 1999, Kyle 2011.”

“We’ve had kids in the band for a total of nine years,” said Judy Wilson. “It’s the band, our kids and the whole experience that keep us coming back. Once you’re part of the Trojan Family, you’re part of it forever.”