The University of Southern California (USC) was founded in 1880 and is one of the oldest private research universities in California. USC’s athletic programs, known as the Trojans, have a rich history in collegiate sports. It is a member of the Pac-12 Conference and has produced numerous professional athletes across various sports. USC prides itself on being a major contributor to sports culture, with most of its athletic programs funded through revenue generated by the teams themselves.

USC claims 11 National Championships in football, with the first one in 1928 and the most recent in 2004. The Trojans have played in over 50 bowl games, winning 34 of them. USC is known for its dominant football program, with 80 players having earned first-team All-American honors. Legendary coaches like John McKay, Pete Carroll, and Howard Jones have shaped USC’s football legacy.

USC’s mascot is a white horse named Traveler, symbolizing the school’s fighting spirit and the Trojan warriors of ancient Greece. The horse leads the football team onto the field at home games and has become an iconic figure at USC events. Traveler is ridden by a student in Trojan armor, further emphasizing the connection to the university’s warrior mascot.