USC salutes Olympians in run-up to 2012 London Games

USC has begun a yearlong celebration of Trojan athletes who have participated in the Olympics with a salute themed “Cardinal and Gold Medal Heritage,” the school announced.

In the run-up to the 2012 London Games, USC will have displays and banners in Heritage Hall and introduce Olympians at sports events. Video vignettes to be displayed at stadiums and other events and programs also are planned.

Since 1904, 393 USC athletes representing 57 countries have competed in the Olympics, winning 122 gold medals, 76 silver and 60 bronze, the school said.

“We are extremely proud of our unparalleled Olympic heritage and, with the 2012 Olympic Games on the horizon, we felt it was important to salute and acknowledge that tradition,” USC Athletic Director Pat Haden said in a statement. “I know our fans will be as excited as I am to see our past and current Olympians and to relive the many successes that Trojan athletes have had in Olympic competition.”

-- Gary Klein

Keyshawn Johnson, Randy Johnson to join USC Hall of Fame

Former football stars Keyshawn Johnson, Tony Boselli, Clarence Davis and Adrian Young are among 16 honorees who will be inducted into USC's Athletic Hall of Fame as part of the 2012 class, the school announced Wednesday.

Other inductees: Art Bartner (Trojan Marching Band), Lindsay Benko (swimming), Steve Bisheff (media), Barbara Hallquist (tennis), Barbara Hedges (athletics administration), Bob Hughes (water polo/swimming), Bryan Ivie (volleyball), Randy Johnson (baseball), Jill McGill (golf), Tina Thompson (basketball), Forrest Twogood (basketball) and Quincy Watts (track and field).

"This is an outstanding group of Trojan greats -- Olympians, All-Americans, national champions and sports icons -- who have played an important role in USC’s athletic history," USC Athletic Director Pat Haden said in a statement. "They’ll join our first nine classes of Hall of Famers to form a real who’s who in USC sports."

The inductees will be honored at a dinner on June 12, 2012, at USC’s Galen Center.

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-- Gary Klein

Photo: Keyshawn Johnson in 1995. Credit: Eric Draper / Associated Press