USC All-American LB Junior Seau was reportedly found dead in his Oceanside home today of a gunshot wound, according to San Diego police.

Pat Haden on Seau: "We are tremendously saddened to hear this news and our hearts go out to his family and children.  Junior Seau was one of the greatest legends in USC football history.  He will always be remembered by USC as the original No. 55."

Lane Kiffin on Seau: "This is a very sad day.  The USC football program and the entire Trojan Family extend our condolences to Junior's family.  He was one of the greatest Trojans of all-time.  Our team and fans were very fortunate to see him just a couple of weeks ago at our Spring Game at the Coliseum.  He will be deeply missed."

We'll have more coverage on Seau's life and career, but for now, we send out our condolences from the Trojan Family to his family.  RIP No. 55...

USC football had only three players drafted in 2012, which was its lowest total since 2002.  In this case, the stat reflects more on how loaded the Trojans are for next season more than any talent attrition in the program.

As the 2013 mock drafts start to come out, it is clear that USC players will dominate the headlines next April.  For example, Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com has three Trojans projected in his first round with QB Matt Barkley at No. 1, WR Robert Woods at No. 4 and S T.J. McDonald at No. 29.

Among the seniors, Barkley and McDonald are just two of the names to watch.  C Khaled Holmes, DE Wes Horton, DE Devon Kennard, S Jawanza Starling and RB Curtis McNeal should all attract NFL interest.

The list of draft eligible underclassmen is headlined by Woods and CB Nickell Robey, but they can also opt to follow Barkley and McDonald down the four year path. 

Just like 2002 when only CB Kris Richard and CB Chris Cash were drafted, the pipeline is only filling up with talent and the explosion begins next year.

(Photo of Wes Horton by Jon SooHoo)

For the first time ever, USC will host the NCAA Men's Volleyball Championship this Thursday and Saturday at Galen Center.  Even more, the Trojans are in the Final Four with a national semifinal match against Lewis at 8 p.m. Thursday.

Athletic director Pat Haden sent out a mass letter urging fans to support USC's national title push this weekend plus he announced that all students are in FREE with ID.  The Trojan Family can purchase all-session or single-session tickets in advance or walk-up tickets at the box office.

Click here for ticket information.

We have a chance to win a national championship on home soil.  This is officially a call to arms!!

USC baseball was reeling.  The Trojans had lost seven out of eight after dropping the opener of a three-game series against No. 19 Oregon State last weekend.

But, a slight rotation tweak by head coach Frank Cruz might turn out to be the season saver.  Senior pitcher Andrew Triggs was moved off the traditional Friday game to start Saturday against the Beavers.

Quite simply, Triggs' efforts were being lost without much run support against the opponent's ace.  Despite a sub-4.00 ERA and three complete games in conference play, he was just 1-3 going into his latest Pac-12 outing.

When his team needed him the most, Triggs pitched seven strong innings giving up two runs and earning the victory thanks to three runs of support.  Freshman Stephen Tarpley, who has thrived as the Sunday starter all season, followed with his team-leading fifth win to take the series for Troy.

The rotation reshuffle continues tonight as former Saturday starter Ben Mount will get the ball against Cal State Fullerton.  The Trojans host Washington this weekend at Dedeaux Field in a three-game set.

(Photo by John McGillen)

The countdown continues to the 2012 USC Hall of Fame induction dinner on May 12.  The black tie gala is open to the public and NFL Hall of Fame WR Lynn Swann will be the emcee.

Click here for the tickets.

Randy Johnson was the most intimidating pitcher of his generation.  Standing at 6'10", the lefty flamethrower could break the radar gun with his velocity or break your helmet with his fastball.

As a youngster at Troy, he had the same power repertoire that would turn him into a dominant big league ace, but he was still refining his control.  Johnson had 206 career strikeouts as a Trojan in 243.1 innings, but he also walked 188.

Once he worked out his mechanics, "The Big Unit" was nearly unhittable.  In 22 major league seasons, he won five Cy Young Awards, the 2001 World Series MVP and earned 10 All-Star nods.

On two occasions, he was actually unhittable tossing a pair no-hitters, including one perfect game. He recorded 4,875 strikeouts in his career, which is the most ever by a left-hander and the second most all-time.

Known best for his dominance, Johnson was a winner as well.  He cracked the historic 300-win milestone in his final season finishing with a 303-166 MLB record plus one world series ring.

USC football seniors T.J. McDonald and Khaled Holmes provide the soundtrack for spring practice, so we thought we would mic them up, so you can listen in too.

Here are the loquacious veterans...

On Friday, over 40 current and former USC student-athletes and coaches took a trip to the Children's Hospital LA and spent three hours with the patients.  They got the opportunity to visit with many children in numerous divisions throughout the hospital including the rehabilitation center and the dialysis division.   The student-athletes also got a chance to shoot hoops with the patients, read and color with them and sign posters for their rooms.

Photo gallery by John McGillen...

USC athletics announced an $8 million gift from former swimming walk-on Fred Uytengsu to the new aquatics center.  The donation is the largest ever by a student-athlete back to the Trojan athletic department.

Click here for the full story.

At Uytengsu's request, the swimming pool at the heart of the new facility will be named after his head coach Peter Daland, who won nine national championships at Troy. 

The aquatics center will house both men's and women's swimming and diving plus men's and women's water polo.  The four programs have won a combined 20 national championships.

"Fred's gift is one purely of the heart," said swimming head coach Dave Salo.  "I have never met a man with such humility and integrity. He epitomizes what it means to be a USC graduate, with a true Trojan spirit. This lasting gift is not only a tribute to Fred's generosity and love for his alma mater, but also a great acknowledgment of the man who made USC swimming and diving what it is today - Peter Daland."

Click the link for renderings of the new aquatics center:
USCAquaticsCenter.pdf

"The USC community takes such profound pride in its student-athletes, and Mr. Uytengsu's gift sends a strong message of support," said President C. L. Max Nikias. "Thanks to his extraordinary generosity, the university will create world-class facilities for our world-class athletes."

USC has clinched its fifth consecutive crosstown Gauntlet over UCLA! 

On the strength of a huge weekend by USC women's rowing, women's track and field, men's tennis and men's and women's golf, the Trojans earned enough rivalry points to secure the annual series yet again.  Troy leads 62.5 to 45 at present.

Click here for the full story.

USC has enjoyed great success at the expense of its rivals in 2011-12 including a 50-0 shutout in football, a national title game victory in men's water polo and a Pac-12 championship win for men's tennis.

(Photo by Kirby Lee)

USC men's tennis tasted defeat for the time since February 2011 when the Bruins stopped the Trojans 45-match winning streak in the regular season finale.  With a chance to serve revenge, the Trojans responded like the three-time defending national champions they are.

USC knocked off UCLA 4-2 to win the Pac-12 Tournament in Ojai this past weekend behind Steve Johnson, who clinched the title with his 60th consecutive collegiate singles victory.

Click here for the full story.

The difference between winning and losing was sophomore Emilio Gomez.  He served for the match in the regular season loss before dropping his singles point in three sets, but bounced back to defeat Marcos Giron in the Pac-12 championship.

Like the Women of Troy, the men's team is expected to host the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament starting May 11.

(Photos courtesy of the Pac-12)