History of USC
USC’s tuition when it was founded
$15 per semester
Explain why there is a giant hole in the ground in Founder’s Park
That is the original site of the Widney Alumni House, the first building of USC, that has been moved around campus 3 times
The number of D1 sports at USC, and the breakdown of men’s vs women’s
21 D1 sports, 9 men’s and 12 women’s
Name 3 USC alum
Many options! Google to check
Name 2 shows/movies that have been filmed on campus
The name of the man that founded USC and when
Judge John Robert Maclay Widney, 1880
Describe a game day tradition/urban legend
Many!
Example: 3 flag poles — legend has it that long ago, USC was losing a football game, and an angry fan left the game in the middle and kicked the middle flag pole on his way out. The game turned around in that instant and USC went on to win, so now, students kick that middle flag pole for good luck. It has to be replaced every year!
The definition of a Heisman trophy and number of trophies at USC
Heisman trophy is awarded to NCAA player for talent and work ethic
We have 6
Frequency of USC alum nominated for an Oscar (how often and when did this start)
Every year since the Academy Awards Inception in 1929
The building on campus that served as Elle Woods’ dorm in the filming of Legally Blonde
Bovard Auditorium
The symbols on the University Seal and what they mean
3 torches that stand for arts, sciences, and philosophy
The story behind the inverted fountain in Queen’s Court
Anna Bing and Eileen Norris, the donors of the two buildings in Queen’s Court, were fierce rivals and wanted to be able to keep an eye on each other, so they had the fountain built inverted
If USC was a country, we would be ranked ____ in the world in terms of Olympic gold medals.
12th
The year USC’s alumni association was founded
1885
The original nickname of USC athletic teams
The Fighting Methodists
USC’s motto in Latin and in English
Latin: Palmam qui meruit ferat
English: Let whoever earns the palm bear it
The story behind the statue of Douglas Fairbanks in the SCA courtyard
The legend goes that Fairbanks and the president of USC were fencing when Fairbanks suggested the university teach film -- his statue is holding a fencing foil and a screenplay
The number of national championship titles USC has
133
The degree Neil Armstrong earned from USC
Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering
The location of the dog statue and the story behind it
George Tirebiter, in front of Mudd Hall
George Tirebiter was the nickname initially given to a dog at the University of Southern California in the 1940s who was the unofficial mascot of the school before becoming the official mascot on October 22, 1947
The original purpose of our “Fight On” fight song and who wrote it (extra points if you can sing the fight song)
The iconic “Fight On” fight song for USC athletics was also used to inspire World War II troops during the Aleutians Campaign. The song was originally written by USC dental student Milo Sweet.
The story behind the column in front of Taper Hall of Humanities
Apparently, this “Trojan Column” is from the Temple of Apollo in the ancient city of Troy. The story goes that it was gifted to USC by the Republic of Turkey.
Name 3 USC athletes who won olympic medals
Many!
Examples include Andre De Grasse, Allyson Felix, April Ross, any other valid answer (google to check)
Name of USC’s first valedictorian
Minnie Miltimore
The famous artist that practiced her Coachella performance on our underground football field
Beyoncé