Seventy-four years and several generations apart, two Trojans came together last week for a meeting of a lifetime.
Matt Barkley, USC's 18-year-old freshman quarterback, and Louis Zamperini, a 92-year-old Trojan legend, convened for lunch and a tour of Zamperini's early-1900s house in Hollywood Hills last Monday, when Barkley got a first-hand education on the life of an American and USC hero.
Zamperini's accomplishments just don't seem possible for one man. He was a national record-holder in the mile as a high schooler, a 1936 U.S. Olympian in track, a World War II veteran -- including being adrift on the Pacific Ocean for 47 days after his plane went down and spending two years in Japanese captivity -- and is now a motivational speaker.
"His story is unbelievable," Barkley said.
Needless to say, Barkley left his meeting with Zamperini both inspired and impressed.
"His attitude on life -- just staying positive -- was awesome," Barkley said. "He says, 'don't give up on what you love.'"
The two Trojans were brought together by Jeff Fellenzer, a USC journalism professor who is highly connected with many sports personalities in L.A., many of whom speak at his class. Barkley took Fellenzer's "Sports, Business and Media in Today's Society" course this spring.
Freshman quarterback Matt Barkley, 18 years old, poses for a picture with USC legend Louis Zamperini, 92 years young, at Zamperini's Hollywood Hills home last week. [Photo courtesy of Jeff Fellenzer]
Matt Barkley, USC's 18-year-old freshman quarterback, and Louis Zamperini, a 92-year-old Trojan legend, convened for lunch and a tour of Zamperini's early-1900s house in Hollywood Hills last Monday, when Barkley got a first-hand education on the life of an American and USC hero.
Zamperini's accomplishments just don't seem possible for one man. He was a national record-holder in the mile as a high schooler, a 1936 U.S. Olympian in track, a World War II veteran -- including being adrift on the Pacific Ocean for 47 days after his plane went down and spending two years in Japanese captivity -- and is now a motivational speaker.
"His story is unbelievable," Barkley said.
Needless to say, Barkley left his meeting with Zamperini both inspired and impressed.
"His attitude on life -- just staying positive -- was awesome," Barkley said. "He says, 'don't give up on what you love.'"
The two Trojans were brought together by Jeff Fellenzer, a USC journalism professor who is highly connected with many sports personalities in L.A., many of whom speak at his class. Barkley took Fellenzer's "Sports, Business and Media in Today's Society" course this spring.
Freshman quarterback Matt Barkley, 18 years old, poses for a picture with USC legend Louis Zamperini, 92 years young, at Zamperini's Hollywood Hills home last week. [Photo courtesy of Jeff Fellenzer]
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