Trojan Shrine

The Trojan Shrine, more commonly known as Tommy Trojan, is one of the most recognizable figures of school pride at the University of Southern California. The life-size bronze statue sits in the center of the USC campus and serves as a popular meeting spot for students, as well as a centerpiece for a number of campus events. Inscribed on the base of the statue are the five attributes of the ideal Trojan: "Faithful, Scholarly, Skillful, Courageous and Ambitious." On the reverse is a plaque bearing a quote by Virgil: "Here are provided seats of meditative joy, where shall rise again the destined reign of Troy."

Tommy as a Mascot

Officially, Tommy Trojan is "not" USC's official mascot; it is Traveler, a white Andalusian horse. Still, many people have come to identify Tommy Trojan as the symbol of the university. Traveler's rider is often assumed to be Tommy Trojan, but although the costume was designed after Tommy Trojan, it is not officially stated as being Tommy Trojan. Before Traveler, a local dog named George Tirebiter served as the USC's mascot. In any event, the statue is a strong reminder to all of the Trojan Spirit.

History

The Trojan Shrine was sculpted by Roger Noble Burnham and based on a variety of USC football players, including Russell Saunders, Ernie Pinckert, Henry Becker and John Ward. The statue was unveiled during the University's 50th Jubilee in 1930. It cost $10,000 to build, after which a $1 surcharge was added onto the season football tickets in order to help offset this cost.

The Trojan Shrine was originally supposed to be named "The Spirit of Troy", that name went to the school's marching band. [http://www.usc.edu/dept/band/about/index.php?story=history.htm The History of the Spirit of Troy] , USC Trojan Marching Band, USC.edu.]

Tommy as a part of Campus

Tommy Trojan is located in the heart of the USC campus and often serves as a meeting ground for many students and visitors alike. Surrounded by the Bovard Administration Building, The Student Union, and Doheny Library, Tommy truly is the heart and soul of USC.

UCLA rivalry

USC's cross-town rival UCLA had vandalized Tommy Trojan (often by painting him blue and gold) during the week of the annual USC-UCLA football game; so the university now protects the statue with a layer of tarps that are then wrapped in copious amounts of duct tape during that week to protect the statue from UCLA pranksters. In addition, members of the Trojan Knights maintain an all-night vigil around Tommy Trojan during the rivalry week to further deter would-be pranksters.

References

External links

*Photographs featuring inscriptions from the base - [http://www.publicartinla.com/USCArt/TommyTrojan/ Tommy Trojan, the Mascot of USC]
* [http://www.usc.edu/about/visit/upc/tommy_cam Tommy Cam]