The Real Driving Force Behind the USC Football Dynasty
November 19th, 2006 by Rich BarberWhile the Sports Truth’s college football Pundit believes the University of Southern California to be overrated (and predicted its demise in the title game last January), there’s little doubt that the Trojans are in the midst of a dynasty. From 2002 on, USC is 57-5 with two national championships, a near miss last season, and an outside chance at another title in 2006-07. Let that sink in for a moment.
In watching USC clinch its 120th straight Pac-10 championship Saturday night with a 23-9 win over California, the true force behind the school’s incredible run became evident. Not to take away from Heisman winners Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush, or the terrific coaching of Pete Carroll, but let’s just say the most impressive Booty on the field last weekend was not quarterback John David.
The USC cheerleaders, or “Song Girls” as they call themselves, are a sight to behold. Normally, the Sports Truth would refrain from writing a column such as this. Oh, who are we kidding. These girls need to come out with a calendar or something. Maybe it’s just that to someone who has lived in the Northeast his whole life, SoCal is something of a phenomenon, a place that holds a certain allure and fascination.
Think about it, though. With these kinds of perks, how does USC not sign every recruit it wants? Even the regular student body is out of some kind of catalog. Not to mention the weather there. Matt Leinart, a consensus #1 pick in the NFL draft after his Heisman-winning junior season, took one class (ballroom dancing) to stay eligible and play another year at USC. That tells you all you need to know.
I’m sorry, but they’re simply not playing fair when going up against the likes of Washington State. USC football is the biggest game, surpassing even the Lakers, in the biggest town in the U.S. How does that happen? Not by accident. Whoever prevails in Saturday’s Notre Dame game is anyone’s guess, but I’ll be pulling for the Trojans. I feel a strong amount of school spirit all of a sudden.
In closing, here’s a little background info on the USC Song Girls, so as not to come across as a blatantly chauvinistic piece extolling the virtues of beautiful young women. They are beautiful, yes - and athletic, and well-rounded. According to the group’s official site, they formed in 1967 as a group of seven young women who walked onto the field of the L.A. Coliseum to cheer the Trojans to victory.
Forty years and many championships (for both the football team and Song Girls) later, the women, now numbering an even dozen, look effervescent as ever in their trademark white uniforms trimmed with cardinal and gold. The Song Girls perform three dozen new dance routines each year! In addition to their rigorous training and travel schedules, they find time for various philanthropic endeavors. They are smart, talented women with varying backgrounds and career goals. Go team!
