Salute To Troy: Them's Fight On Words

"There are a lot of UCLA people out there. And there are a lot of Notre Dame people out there. And we kick their ass." -- Ricky Ellison (one-time NCAA champ, two-time Rose Bowl champ, three-time Super Bowl champ)

USC got fired up on Friday in a preseason pep rally known as Salute to Troy. The annual event, held at Cromwell Field for a record 3,500 boosters, introduced this year's football squad to the fans and provided several memorable quotes (none of which were as pointed as the ones Les Miles made a few months ago).

There were plenty of fireworks at the end of the night, but coaches had some verbal ones as well. Discussing his nationally acclaimed group of linebackers and their performance in practice, coach Ken Norton didn't hold back. "There were 10 running backs that started camp. At practice today, seven didn't dress.... Some of them transferred. We ran them off!"

RB coach Todd McNair responded by pointing out how his own unit performed at the last scrimmage. "That's true, seven of my guys didn't practice today. That's because they had sore hamstrings from running up the Coliseum."

When head coach Pete Carroll was introduced, the Trojan Marching Band teased him with a chant of "Big Balls Pete! Big Balls Pete!" Eventually, Johnny Morton stood in front of the band and remarked, "These guys are crazy."

Carroll had a few good one-liners, but was understated when he admitted, "I'm a little bit excited about this season." He would later exclaim, "Wow! Are we excited about this defense!" and declare DL coach Nick Holt "the meanest man you ever met." Carroll also announced the 2007 captains, who had been elected by the team earlier that day. Representing the Trojans will be John David Booty, Sam Baker, Keith Rivers and Lawrence Jackson.

Booty patiently signed autographs for fans before the ceremonies, with lines second only to the open bar.

The evening kicked off by recognizing the women's soccer team. Athletic Director Mike Garrett stumbled while trying to pronounce the name of newly hired coach Ali Khosroshahin (you try to say that in front of 3,500 people). Equally understandable, Garrett got choked up when speaking about Mario Danielo, the Trojan kicker who passed away last January in a tragic accident at home. Danielo's father, Joe, spoke on behalf of the family and Carroll led the crowd in a cheer for Mario's "final game winning field goal."

Several other touching remarks were made by Trojan coaches about their families. With a time-intensive training camp behind and long season ahead, Carroll spoke about how much all the dads on staff loved and missed their kids. Norton called for a special round of applause for his wife, Angela, and claimed, "I haven't seen her since camp started July 29th."

As part of the festivities, the school recognized members of the 1957 and 1982 anniversary teams. Trojan PA announcer Dennis Packer rattled off facts as each player's name was called. Alumni occupations included the Mayor of Waikiki, Mayor of Lynwood, Mayor of Cabo San Lucas, Sheriff's Lieutenant, LAPD Sergeant, Long Beach Fire Department Captain, several retired professional athletes, teachers, and a guy who now "plows fields in Oregon." While most of the alumni high fived their former teammates, TV and radio personality Mike Lamb made sure to hug a couple of Song Girls.

This year's team rally cry was apparently coined by Graduate Assistant Yogi Roth, and reiterated by TE coach Brennan Carroll. "Do you love it? Do you friggin' love it?!?"

The crowd did.

Comments

[Band Member]

Hey Adam- if you actually went to a USC football game, you might actually know that when we see Pete Carroll- we don't chant "baseball team" we chant "BIG BALLS PETE!"

it's ok though... you probably went to ucla...

[LBT]

Just seconding Band Member... BBP got his nickname for regularly going for it on fourth down. You'll also note that the Band (and entire student section come saturday) has two-armed jesture to accompany the chant.

[Adam Rose]

I've been to many a game and was one of the ones chanting BBP when it first started in the Thunder and Lightening days. Total blunder on my part, so anybody reading now will see the corrected version. You can chant "Bonehead Adam" next time you see me.

Speaking of nicknames, harsh words from Band Member considering I just used the tag "Greatest Marching Band in the History of the Universe" in another post. ;-)

[Mark]

It's Riki Ellison. R-i-k-i. Not Ricky. He was Riki Gray (his stepdad's last name) when he went to USC.

[The Student Section]

Actually, it isn't a nickname, at least not in the chant form. It is a call to Coach Carroll to go for it on 4th down. You'll notice that the band and the student section cheer before Pete demonstrates his "Big Balls" and not after as a thanks or a recognition. I think the t-shirts are more of a nickname, but the chant is definitely a call to action.