Don Ludwig Embodies the Virtues of a Trojan
Around USC, Don Ludwig has earned a very special nickname.
"Many of us refer to Don as the 'live' version of Tommy Trojan," explained Patrick Bailey, associate dean and executive director of Student Life and Involvement.
A year and a half ago, after 34 years working in USC Recreational Sports, Ludwig became the executive director of two newly created areas - Spirit and Traditions, and Spirituality and Sports.
Both roles have allowed him to find outlets for his "faithful, scholarly, skillful, courageous and ambitious" nature, the words inscribed on Tommy Trojan's pedestal.
Born in South Dakota, Ludwig's family moved to Southern California when he was entering sixth grade.
"Fortunately, on the block where we ended up living, there were several other boys, and they invited me to play on their little league baseball team right away," recalled Ludwig. "I played baseball; I played basketball; I played football. Our coach took us to track meets. He took us to 'SC/ UCLA football games. We lived within three blocks of a major recreation center, so I lived down there. Sports were my whole thing."
At community college and California State University, Long Beach, Ludwig - who likes to joke that he's 5' 19" - played basketball and graduated with a double major in physical education and recreation, and a minor in sociology. He was offered a position on the Harlem Globetrotters, but chose to join the Christian basketball league Athletes in Action instead. He travelled all over the world, playing basketball and talking to Kiwanis International groups, church congregations and students.
"It was something I needed to do," said Ludwig, who is a non-denominational Protestant. "I wanted my faith to be something more than Sunday morning."
After a year and a half with Athletes in Action, he returned to California State University, Long Beach to get his master's degree in recreation before accepting a job at USC in 1973.
As executive director of Spirit and Traditions, Ludwig recently gave a presentation in Bovard Auditorium with Trojan Marching Band Director Art Bartner during Parents Weekend. "I shared information about the traditions at USC," said Ludwig. "Anything from the founding of the school to the Olympians to Tommy Trojan, the Victory Bell, where we get the So Cal Spellout, the Weekender when everyone goes up to Cal or Stanford, the Notre Dame rivalry - there were 18 or 19 different things that I shared."
Ludwig is also in charge of filling the display cases of Trojan memorabilia that will adorn the new Ronald Tutor Campus Center, and he continues to be involved in game management.
"I can't think of anyone better to lead and guide our Spirit and Traditions than Don Ludwig," said Bailey. "Over the years, Don has played a integral role with Swim with Mike - which raises scholarship money for student athletes with disabilities - served as a religious director on campus and been an invaluable resource to multiple students and student organizations."
As a lifelong athlete and Christian, Ludwig also enjoys his role as executive director of Spirituality and Sports. Along with his colleagues in the Office of Religious Life, he has already orchestrated several successful events and programs - an annual religious involvement fair; meditation hikes in Griffith Park; a panel of Olympians who spoke about their faith; and a talk with Trojan alumnus, Olympian, World War II veteran and Christian Louis Zamperini.
In collaboration with the spirit organization Trojan Pride, Ludwig is arranging discussions with football players - including quarterback Matt Barkley - about the mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of getting in the "zone."
Ludwig's other duties include creating a Student Affairs business continuity plan, which will help the division return to its normal functions as quickly as possible after an emergency such as an earthquake.
The father of two Trojan alumni and the grandfather of five young grandchildren, Ludwig enjoys golf, walking and swimming. He volunteers his leadership skills to the Trojan Christian Faculty/Staff Fellowship and Athletes in Action. He and his wife of 35 years also regularly participate in homeless ministry and short-term mission trips.
"It definitely gives perspective," said Ludwig. "Looking at the world, it's easy to realize how blessed we are."