MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. -- RipsIt reader Kathleen Massari sent in this interesting question about how the wet weather has affected the Trojans' cleats this week: "After seeing the pictures from practice in the rain on Tuesday and Wednesday, I was wondering how you get the shoes clean. You can throw all the clothing into the wash, but you can't wash shoes. And, if they get all muddy again in South Bend on Friday, how do you clean the shoes for the game?"
The rainy practices on Tuesday and Wednesday created tons of extra work for the USC equipment staff, who cleaned the cleats with damp towels immediately following each muddy practice. After wiping them clean, the equipment staffers then dried the exterior with towels before laying them out under a large fan all night. By the next morning, they were not only sparkling clean, but also bone dry.
So with all the work that goes into this operation after a wet practice, it's fair to say that the equipment staff likes the typical California sunshine?
"It is what it is," assistant football equipment coordinator Greg Allen said with a chuckle.
And in terms of game footwear, players receive new cleats for almost every game, meaning their shoes on Saturday will be spotless and dry.
Matt Barkley's cleats during Wednesday's practice, before they were wiped down and dried by the USC equipment staff...
...So that they were sparkling clean and dry for Thursday's practice.
The rainy practices on Tuesday and Wednesday created tons of extra work for the USC equipment staff, who cleaned the cleats with damp towels immediately following each muddy practice. After wiping them clean, the equipment staffers then dried the exterior with towels before laying them out under a large fan all night. By the next morning, they were not only sparkling clean, but also bone dry.
So with all the work that goes into this operation after a wet practice, it's fair to say that the equipment staff likes the typical California sunshine?
"It is what it is," assistant football equipment coordinator Greg Allen said with a chuckle.
And in terms of game footwear, players receive new cleats for almost every game, meaning their shoes on Saturday will be spotless and dry.
Matt Barkley's cleats during Wednesday's practice, before they were wiped down and dried by the USC equipment staff...
...So that they were sparkling clean and dry for Thursday's practice.
Ben, earlier today mom called and told me she asked you this ridiculous question. i forwarded it to all of my SC friends and rolled my eyes......and so did they. of course, this is only a question a mom would ask. here i am, Friday night after 10pm writing this comment in response to your answer to her. she just called me gloating. i have a feeling i am going to hear about this all day tomorrow as the TV zooms in on their muddy shoes. Thx
Thanks for asking and posting the answer - it reminds us that it takes a lot to run a good let alone GREAT football program. Every last detail, every last penny, every last staffer - can't win championships without the machine. Thanks equipment guys!