University of Southern California

The University of Southern California (also known as USC, 'SC, Southern California, and Southern Cal), California's oldest private research university, is located in the urban center of Los Angeles, California.

Tradition

As the second-oldest university in California, the University of Southern California has a long and storied history resulting in a number of modern traditions, some of which are outlined here:

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• The colors of USC are cardinal and gold, which were approved by USC's third president, Rev. George W. White in 1895.
• USC's official fight song is Fight On, which was composed in 1922 by USC dental student Milo Sweet (with lyrics by Sweet and Glen Grant).
• The Trojan Shrine, better known as 'Tommy Trojan', is a bronze statue located at the center of campus, and an integral figure in school pride.
• Spectators walking from campus to the Coliseum and back kick the base of one of the flag poles at the edge of campus on Exposition Boulevard to ensure good luck for the football team at their next game.
• The week preceding the annual football matchup with UCLA is known as "Troy Week" and features a number of traditions including Save Tommy Night, the Troy Week Bonfire, and all-night vigils by the Trojan Knights to protect the campus from Bruins.

Trophies

The University of Southern California is part-time host to two traveling trophies. The first is the Victory Bell, which goes to the winner of the UCLA-USC football game, and is zealously guarded by the Trojan Knights while in USC's possession. The second is the Jeweled Shillelagh, a gaelic war club passed between the victor in the Notre Dame-USC football match, which is kept on display in Heritage Hall. The Shillelagh is adorned with Trojan heads and Shamrocks correlating to victories by both schools.

Related Topics:
Victory Bell - Jeweled Shillelagh

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