SCampus Student Guidebook

Student Activities

Sports

Intercollegiate Sports

Intercollegiate athletics have a long, successful tradition at USC. Trojan athletics have won 109 team national championships in a dozen men’s and women’s sports – from baseball to water polo. USC has won more national championships than all but two NCAA member institutions and is one of only three universities in intercollegiate athletics history to win five national championships in one year (1962-63 and 1976-77).

In 2008, USC added to its title count by capturing NCAA team crowns in women’s golf in the spring and then in men’s water polo in the fall.

This past year was another impressive one for USC Athletics. The football team won the Pacific-10 title and went to a BCS bowl for the seventh year in a row. The men’s basketball team made its third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance for the first time in school history. Forty-two current, former and future Trojans participated in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, winning 21 medals, including 10 golds. One of those gold medalists was Rebecca Soni, who also became the first woman swimmer to win the NCAA 200-yard breaststroke four times. NCAA titles were also won by hammer thrower Eva Orban and the men’s tennis doubles team of Kaes Van’t Hof and Robert Farah.

USC has 19 Division I sports, including nine men’s teams and 10 women’s teams. The men’s teams include football, baseball, basketball, golf, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball and water polo. Women compete in basketball, cross country, golf, rowing, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball and water polo. Students interested in participating should visit the Athletic Department in Heritage Hall or call (213) 740-3843.

Traditionally, about 4,000 students make the trek to the San Francisco Bay Area the weekend of the away game with either Stanford or Cal. See the Daily Trojan for specific dates and times, for ticket distribution and other information, such as group charter flights and bus schedules, pertaining to the Bay Area weekender. Most students stay in San Francisco and attend a rally sponsored by Alumni Relations and Trojan Pride.

Men’s and women’s home basketball games and volleyball matches are played in the new Galen Center, located across the street from campus, at the corner of Figueroa Street and Jefferson Boulevard. Seating for these games is generally assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

Schedules for all men’s and women’s sports are available in Heritage Hall or online at www.usctrojans.com. Football season tickets for students can be purchased online at www.usctrojans.com. See Student Services – Ticket Sales for more information. Quantities may be limited. Entrance to all other men’s and women’s sporting events are free with a USC student identification card.

Trojan Spirit Code

The university has established a new policy to honor its championship football team by upholding the Trojan tradition of good sportsmanship. Alcohol is no longer permitted in sports stadiums. For more information, see the Trojan Spirit Code Policy.

Recreational Sports

Co-Director Justine Gilman
Co-Director Gabe Valenzuela
(213) 740-5127
Lyon University Center
Email: recsports@usc.edu
www.usc.edu/recsports

To meet the diverse interests of the university community, Recreational Sports has developed a comprehensive sports package, including intramural sports, club sports, fitness, wellness and leisure classes and recreational facilities.

The mission of Recreational Sports is to provide quality recreational programs and services that enhance student, faculty and staff knowledge and opportunities for participation in activities that promote healthy lifestyles, positive human relations and leadership skills.

Recreational Sports is located in the Lyon University Center. For access to the center, all students must register for classes for the current semester and complete the online waiver at least 24 hours before using the facility. All patrons must show a valid USC ID and guests must show a picture ID along with their membership card.

Intramural Sports

The Intramural Program is one of the most popular undergraduate and graduate student activities at USC with more than 9,900 participants.

Intramural leagues and tournaments include: All-University Sports Program (All-U); Women’s Intramural Sports Program (WISP); Coed Sports Program (COED); Inter-Fraternity Sports Program (IFSP); Inter-Sorority Sports Program (ISSP); and Housing and Residential Intramural Challenge Cup (HICcup). Flag football, softball, basketball, volleyball, dodgeball, kickball, floor hockey and soccer are some of the most popular sports leagues. In each, individuals and teams are categorized to provide equal competition whenever possible.

Club Sports

Teams are designed for the amateur athlete who enjoys fun, excitement and intercollegiate competition while improving skills in sports not administered by the Athletic Department. Over 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students participate in student-run USC club sports. Club sport teams provide leadership opportunities for students and are designed to encourage active participation from all members.

USC hosts over 56 club sports, including archery, chess, cricket, dance, dragon boat, equestrian, fencing, ice hockey, golf, lacrosse, marathon, men’s rowing (crew), polo (horse), rugby, triathlon, ski and snowboard, soccer, surfing, tennis, triathlon, ultimate Frisbee, volleyball, women’s softball and wrestling.

Fitness

Trojan Fitness features USC Workout (group exercise classes), massage therapy, personal trainers and private pilates.

USC Workout (group exercise) are classes offered in a non-academic environment with experienced instructors. These popular classes include: abs/core, hip-hop aerobics, zumba, muscle conditioning, cardioboxing, SCycling (USC’s style of cardio cycling), yoga, mat pilates, turbo kickboxing (TKB), African dance, Latin cardio jam, water jogging and yoga booty ballet.

Additional training and fitness opportunities involve personal trainers, massage therapy and individual pilates sessions with apparatus.

Martial Arts

Recreational Sports presents a variety of martial arts classes designed to introduce the USC community to a culturally diverse form of exercise, skill development and fitness. Forms offered may include Aikido, Karate, Kung Fu, Shinkendo, Tae Kwon Do, Wu Shu Nation and Dux Ninjitsu. Capoeira, one of the newest styles, is an Afro-Brazilian blend of martial arts, dance and culture.

BeFit. BeWell. Wellness Programs

Recreational Sports also collaborates with the Student Health Center, Center for Work and Family Life, Physical Education and USC Hospitality to develop classes and seminars on topics such as fitness outreach programs, wellness, fiscal fitness, nutrition, safety, stress management and environmental sustainability (recycling) to provide the USC community opportunities to achieve a healthy lifestyle.

Classes include: CPR, First Aid, Lifeguard Certification, Food and Fitness Greatest Hits, EZ Pilates, Stress Management Fair, Mindful Movement (stretching class), Going Green 101, introductory sports classes, and Trojan Trekkers (walking program).

Lyon Center Pro Shop

Equipment Checkout and Locker Rental

A variety of items (such as racquets and yoga mats) are available for rental in the Lyon Center equipment room. Some sports equipment and fitness apparel are also available for purchase. Locker rentals and towel service (registration online at www.usc.edu/recsports) are available for semester and year rental. Day-use lockers are also available (bring your own lock). For additional information, call (213) 740-5127.

Outdoor Adventure Rental Service

The Outdoor Adventure Rental (OAR) program, launched in Fall 2008, was developed to give USC students an opportunity to explore the outer limits of Southern California. Tents, sleeping bags, lanterns and more equipment for hiking, backpacking and camping is available to rent through the OAR program. Reservations are made on a first-come, first-serve basis by OAR certified staff members. An OAR binder is located at the Lyon Center front desk and Pro Shop as a resource for staff and patrons.

Facility Scheduling

A number of facilities may be reserved for department or student organization competitions and picnics, including: Cromwell Field, Lyon University Center, Intramural Field, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, PHED north and south gymnasia, tennis, racquetball and squash courts. For recreation facility reservations, complete the online form at www.usc.edu/recsports. For court reservations, contact Recreational Sports at (213) 740-8977.

Employment Opportunities

Recreational Sports provides students with a variety of opportunities to work on campus and develop leadership skills in sports-related fields. College Work Study Program applicants are preferred. Jobs include building managers, officials, marketing and promotions, aerobic (group exercise) instructors, lifeguards, scheduling, fitness instructors, guest services, office assistants, weight room attendants, youth sports instructors and more. Applications are available online at www.usc.edu/recsports or at the Lyon Center.

Special Programs

Recreational Sports offers a variety of special programs, including:

• National Youth Sports Program – Trojan KidSCamp (NYSP-TKC)
• Recreational Club Council (RCC)
• Aerobic instructor clinics
• Master’s Swimming Program
• Sports officials/referees clinics
• CPR and lifeguard certification
• Physical Education building indoor pool (Rec Swim)
• Wellness programs
• Spirit squads (Song Leaders, Spirit Leaders and Traveler)
• Recreational services (golf tournaments, tennis competitions, etc.)

General William Lyon University Center

The 66,000-square-foot Lyon University Center provides the space needed to accommodate extracurricular recreational activities. This facility significantly affects the quality of campus life for the entire university community.

The Lyon University Center houses the Recreational Sports Office as well as racquetball and squash courts, a climbing wall, locker rooms, sauna and whirlpool, weight room equipped with a full line of weight-lifting equipment including free weights, a cardiovascular exercise room, group exercise fitness studio, Robinson Fitness Room (SCycling room), two multipurpose rooms, a club meeting room and gymnasia for intramural sports, open “drop in” recreation and special events. The Lyon Center also houses a newly converted cardiovascular and weight exercise area on the second floor, expanding the available area to nearly double the size of the original exercise room.

Locker and changing room facilities serve the center and the adjacent McDonalds Swim Stadium, which features a 25-yard by 25-yard diving pool and a 50-meter by 25-yard competition pool.