"The sky is not falling, in spite of what some people read and think and write," said USC Athletic Director Pat Haden to the Los Angeles Times.
Haden covered a wide range of topics with Gary Klein as the LA Times put together its own "State of Troy," encompassing the great successes of the past year and the challenges ahead for the football, basketball and baseball programs among other Trojan storylines.
Click here to read the complete story.
Updating that story, Pat Haden provided some fresh messaging to USCTrojans.com about his passion for USC football and its undeniable place in the hearts of the Trojan Family.
"I care as much about USC football as any of our fans. I completely understand the passion, and sometimes disappointment, fans can have. I share their disappointment. I am a fan too. I went to my first USC game as a 10-year-old with my father. I played here. I was a captain here. I realize that we have some challenges ahead of us, but I am optimistic that we can turn this thing around with Lane Kiffin at the helm. All of us at USC are working hard to do that.
"I also fully understand where football fits in the USC fabric. My job, however, is broader than one sport. I am as concerned about the basketball players, golfers and rowers as I am the football players. It is our job as administrators to cultivate an environment where every student-athlete is having an experience on and off the field that will shape him or her for the rest of their life.
"I believe that we can be consistently successful in every sport. I am optimistic about what I see for the next 12 months in our athletic programs."
(Photo by Jay Clendenin/LA Times)
Haden covered a wide range of topics with Gary Klein as the LA Times put together its own "State of Troy," encompassing the great successes of the past year and the challenges ahead for the football, basketball and baseball programs among other Trojan storylines. Click here to read the complete story.
Updating that story, Pat Haden provided some fresh messaging to USCTrojans.com about his passion for USC football and its undeniable place in the hearts of the Trojan Family.
"I care as much about USC football as any of our fans. I completely understand the passion, and sometimes disappointment, fans can have. I share their disappointment. I am a fan too. I went to my first USC game as a 10-year-old with my father. I played here. I was a captain here. I realize that we have some challenges ahead of us, but I am optimistic that we can turn this thing around with Lane Kiffin at the helm. All of us at USC are working hard to do that.
"I also fully understand where football fits in the USC fabric. My job, however, is broader than one sport. I am as concerned about the basketball players, golfers and rowers as I am the football players. It is our job as administrators to cultivate an environment where every student-athlete is having an experience on and off the field that will shape him or her for the rest of their life.
"I believe that we can be consistently successful in every sport. I am optimistic about what I see for the next 12 months in our athletic programs."
(Photo by Jay Clendenin/LA Times)
I guess it always pays to be optimistic about everything. This includes the state of the sports program. It would really be nice to stay consistent if you are part of the organization and the school of course.