Trojan athletes compete nationally and globally. Known for their good sportsmanship as well as for their achievements, they embody the University’s standard of excellence.

The scholar-athlete tradition is strong at USC. Our graduates
include 27 First Team Academic All-Americans, 50 NCAA post-graduate scholarship recipients, 8 recipients of NCAA Today’s “Top Six Scholars” award and 12 National Football Foundation Scholar-Athletes. Three student athletes were Rhodes Scholars, and two were USC valedictorians.

The USC Athlete Academic Services Program is committed
to helping our athletes reach their full academic, personal and
professional potential. Academic advising, community service, career development and tutorial programs are among the
services offered.

While USC excels in nearly every sport, no team has made as
much history—or fired up as much Trojan spirit—as our legendary
football squad. Trojan football has captured hearts and headlines
since we first strapped on cleats in 1888. Since then, our laurels include: 11 national championships; 15 unbeaten seasons; six Heisman Trophy winners (including the 2004 winner, quarterback Matt Leinart); 27 players in the National Football Foundation College Hall of Fame; 141 All-Americans; and 44 college bowls, including 30 Rose Bowls—more than any other team.

Game Day is an extraordinary experience. Trojan fans of all
ages stream into the Coliseum to cheer on the Cardinal and Gold. Nearby streets are a sea of pennants, streamers, sweaters, caps and other regalia bearing the school colors and insignia. Inside the Coliseum, the blazing school spirit and competitive fire, the trumpeted blast of “Tribute to Troy” from the Trojan Marching Band and the keen anticipation of victory create a singular experience for both players and fans.

Beyond the gridiron, Major League Baseball has drafted our
best players ever since the USC team first took the field in 1924. Among the 93 Trojans who have gone on to the Big Leagues are Hall of Famer Tom Seaver, who transformed the Mets from lovable losers to champions, and pitching ace Randy Johnson, World Series MVP (2001), and multiple Cy Young Award-winner.

Basketball shares the Trojan tradition of victory, with 14
conference championships and 22 All-Americans. The 2001 squad made the NCAA Elite Eight. Four Trojans are in the Basketball
Hall of Fame and 34 have played for the NBA.

Women’s basketball is creating its own legends. Hall of
Famer Cheryl Miller, former Trojan player and coach, was the
College Player of the Year during her last three years at USC, where she helped elevate women’s b-ball to the game it is today.
Named 1994 College Player of the Year, Lisa Leslie has won
three Olympic gold medals (1996, 2000 and 2004) and became
All-Star Game MVP when she led the Los Angeles Sparks
to its second WNBA championship.

Trojans have also fielded strong volleyball teams. In the last
30 years, the men’s team has made 11 Final Four appearances
and won four NCAA titles. The women’s team has appeared
in 26 postseason tournaments, claiming six national crowns.
In 2002 and 2003, the team was undefeated.