Today is Black Friday and that means a lot of spending and a lot of sales ... but don't forget that you can use some of your purchasing power to make life better for somebody else.
A toy drive is being held during the USC-Notre Dame game tomorrow with a collection point at the Coliseum's Peristyle (east end). Bring donations (new, unwrapped toys or USC gear) and look for the big statues or for the ESPN volunteers. The effort is being undertaken by A Better LA, Pete Carroll's charity, and gifts will go to inner city children and teens.
The clock is ticking ... only about eight hours left. Remember that employers are required by law to give you time off to vote. If you've got enough time to read this blog, you've got enough time to vote -- and they have to give it to you. Even if you live in a state where the presidential race is all but determined, the local races and propositions may actually have a greater influence on your day-to-day life.
Sports and politics go together really well. Just ask George Will and Keith Olbermann. And did everybody see Barack Obama and John McCain yesterday on "Monday Night Football"? Seemed funny that a Democrat endorsed a college football playoff system. I guess the BCS is almost as convoluted as the electoral college.
If you really need any more motivation, think of all the people in USC ROTC who are willing to put themselves in harm's way to protect your right to something that many people around the world will never get to enjoy.
Ryan Davidson has stats you would never expect in USC's locker room.
Two series of radiation treatments for 12 weeks.
Two experimental treatments for 24 weeks.
Four tumors removed in the last nine years.
And he's only 15.
But two numbers define Ryan much better -- $30,000 in three years. That's how much he's raised to help others in his situation.
After finding out his cancer returned for a fourth time this summer, he told his dad, "We've got to raise the most money ever. I don't want any other kid to go through what I've been through." Ryan plans on padding his stats with another fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, dubbing his efforts "Team Trojan."
USC men's basketball is holding two charitable events this month and is looking for your support.
On Oct. 21, the team will host Tip Off With the Men of Troy, allowing fans to watch the Trojans practice, participate in a silent auction, meet the players and Tim Floyd, and attend a reception. Tickets start at $15 and benefit the Ryan Francis Endowed Scholarship Fund. Francis would have been a senior this year but was killed during a random shooting in 2006 while visiting his mom in Louisiana.
On Oct. 26, USC will host its third annual Dribble for the Cure, in which participants collect pledges and join the team in dribbling basketballs across campus. A number of prizes will be given to people who raise money for the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Afterwards, fans will be able to attend the Cardinal and Gold intrasquad scrimmage to see what the team will look like this season.
Like a couple of the players, last year's Midnight Madness event was a one-and-done. This is your only chance to see the Trojans before actual game play in 2008-09. There's an exhibition against Azuza Pacific on Nov. 3 and the regular season tip-off against UC Irvine on Nov. 15.
Players write all sorts of things on their eyeblack. Reggie Bush famously wore "619" in honor of his hometown (it's San Diego's area code) and Rey Maualuga puts "Dad" under each eye. Last year, Joe McKnight wrote "I Need $$," echoing a sentiment shared by many of his fellow college students.
On Saturday night against the Buckeyes, many people noticed that USC quarterback Mark Sanchez wrote "Garenn Figueroa," the name of a 15-year-old-boy from Palmdale who has bone cancer. It's the second game in a row that Sanchez has honored Figueroa. According to Ben Malcolmson's blog on USCRipsIt.com, "Coach Carroll knows Figueroa’s story and made the recommendation to Sanchez to write the boy’s name."
Eric Scoggins was my roommate, my teammate and now my business partner. He's a big man, played big on the field and helped us win a national championship in 1978. Growing up in Inglewood, CA his dream was to play at USC and in the NFL. He accomplished both. In January 2007, Eric was diagnosed with ALS ...
What can you do? Buy a raffle ticket for a 2008 Mercedes CLS 550. They're selling 1,000 tickets for $150 ... and believe me, that car is worth a lot more than $150. Worst case, you'll be helping a very worthy cause. Ronnie owns a dealership and is donating the Benz. Of the money raised, $140,000 will go towards the fight against ALS. The remaining $10,000 will go to a charity selected by the winner of the raffle.
Only California residents can participate. The raffle will be held Nov. 2.
The Summa Children's Foundation honored Pete Carroll last April for his work with A Better LA. USC alum Will Ferrell did this tribute video for the presentation ... but he might have misheard "Summa."
Like he does at every home game, Pete Carroll led a procession down the Coliseum tunnel on Saturday.
This time, the click-clack of cleats was exchanged for the playful thump of drums.
USC's chilling chant of "war time" was replaced by children calling for "peace, unity, family and love."
As the crowd emerged into the sun-splashed stadium, a spotlight was cast on Carroll's crusade to stop the violence in urban Los Angeles. For the last four years, USC's football coach has built relationships with community leaders and ventured into gang-infested areas where most people would never expect to see a famous face. For the most part, Carroll hasn't let the press come with him. He's been joined by an adventurous feature writer here and there, but never invited a throng of camera crews. That changed for this event.
At Pac-10 media day, Pete Carroll had an obvious plant in the audience. One of his former players-turned-broadcaster asked him to talk about an upcoming charity event. "Yeah!" exclaimed USC's coach, "thanks for asking!"
After a very pregnant pause (and a few chuckles from the crowd), Carroll launched into his spiel.
As you might have noticed on this blog, we have a soft spot for good causes (we even have a "do gooding" category) -- and we'll happily give a pass on the plant. Carroll and Co. used the media spotlight to bring attention to LA Live Peace, a rally organized through his A Better LA charity. Several members of the media were handed glossy fliers advertising the event at the Coliseum on Aug. 2 (10 a.m.).
After describing the march and rally, Carroll upped the ante. "It happens to be the gathering of all the people that do the work in the streets -- the intervention workers, all the community-based organizations and the churches that do such great stuff. I realized what an extraordinary opportunity it would be for our presidential candidates to join hands with our kids that are our future. We tell you that we're having this event -- shoot! We're inviting them too! Maybe they want to come in and connect with their future and make a statement that they do understand the work that's done on our city streets and with our communities is so critical. We need all the help we can get. It's an enormous job and we ain't got much time. Maybe they might want to join in."
L.A. Times columnist Bill Plaschke was next in line. "You're inviting the President ... so you going to invite Neuheisel and Chow as well?"
"I'm sure they're busy," joked Carroll. "Actually, everybody's invited ... one big happy family."
Sure, maybe it was a little goofy -- but it's nice to see somebody in Carroll's position use his spotlight for a good cause.
ESPN Radio is hosting auctions to benefit The V Foundation on Wednesday. Different packages will be put up for bid every hour from 3 a.m. until 8 p.m., and several people will get an unforgettable Trojan experience. Most fans won't even be able to find tickets to the Ohio State game -- but you could get the VIP treatment and meet Pete Carroll. Check out the four USC lots below.
In order to bid, tune in tomorrow to ESPN-AM (710). More items are being auctioned on its website, and the ESPN Zone in Anaheim will also host an additional silent auction during the on-site broadcasts.
Last year, more than $800,000 was raised for this great cause.
USC Football Package - 9 a.m. An Opportunity of a Lifetime! Winner and one (1) guest will be invited to observe a team meeting, help set up for practice, meet the coaches, and have dinner with the team. Also included: two (2) tickets to a USC football game. (Winner can choose between Arizona State, Cal, Oregon, or Washington.) Note: NCAA rules prohibit family members from bidding on this experience. Winners must be 21 years of age or older. This experience is non-transferable. Dates and details are subject to change.
The Herd Experience - 3 p.m. Hang with Colin during USC vs. OSU week! Winner and two guests will golf with Colin Cowherd at Pacific Palms Resort the week of 09/08/08 (Tuesday or Wednesday). Winner and 1 guest get front-row seats to see The Herd live broadcast on 9/12/08 with breakfast. Winner also will get access to the 710 ESPN VIP Tailgate Party prior to the USC vs. OSU Football game on 9/13/08 and will receive two (2) tickets to the USC vs. OSU Football Game. Tickets will picked up at the VIP Tailgate party on game day.
At Pac-10 media day, Pete Carroll had an obvious plant in the audience. One of his former players-turned-broadcaster asked him to talk about an upcoming charity event. "Yeah!" exclaimed USC's coach, "thanks for asking!"
ESPN Radio is hosting auctions to benefit 
