The Southern California Trojans boast a legendary tradition in college sports. With national titles and historic rivalries, the Southern California Trojans football program remains a powerhouse. Fans and students proudly support the University of Southern California Trojans, whose achievements across multiple sports reflect dedication, excellence, and a winning spirit on and off the field.
College Sports Established
1912
Location
Los Angeles, California
College Name
University of Southern California
Collegiate History
1973 - Present / NCAA Division 1
1912 - 1973 / University Division of the NCAA
Conference History
2024 - Present / Big 10 Conference
2010 - 2024 / PAC 12 Conference
1978 – 2010 / Pacific 10
1964 – 1978 / Pacific 8
1959 – 1964 / Athletic Association of Western Universities
1912 – 1959 / Pacific Coast Conference
Nickname
Trojans - Regarding college sports, few teams have as much history and tradition as the Southern California Trojans. The team’s iconic nickname had existed since 1912 when Los Angeles Times sportswriter Owen Bird first referred to them as “the Fighting Men of Troy.” But what is the origin of this famous moniker?
Southern California Trojans Origin
The answer lies in Greek mythology. In Homer's epic poem, The Iliad, a group of warriors from the ancient city-state of Troy fought against an invading force from Greece during a 10-year siege known as the Trojan War. As legend tells it, these brave soldiers were so fierce that they earned themselves an enduring reputation for courage and bravery—hence their association with USC athletics today!
In addition to its mythological roots, there is also some practical reasoning behind why USC chose this particular name for its athletic program: It was easy to pronounce and spell (unlike other nicknames such as "Quakers" or "Gophers"), plus it had strong ties with both classical literature and Hollywood films like Brad Pitt's 2004 blockbuster hit Troy—making it perfect for marketing purposes too!
From their humble beginnings over 100 years ago until now, one thing remains true: No matter where you go or who you talk about, everyone knows exactly who you are talking about when they hear those two words - “Southern California Trojans."
NCAA Championships
Baseball 12
1998, 1978, 1974, 1973, 1972, 1971, 1970, 1968, 1963, 1961, 1958, 1948
Men's Basketball 0
Women's Basketball 2
1984, 1983
Football 0
Soccer 0
- 1907
- 1922
- 1984
- 1998
- 2004
- 2007
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The first basketball team is formed by Arthur Carroll
In 1907: The first basketball team is formed by Arthur Carroll, who also founded the football team. The team wins its first game against Occidental College 18-15. -
The team joins the Pacific Coast Conference (PCC)
In 1922: The team joins the Pacific Coast Conference (PCC) and adopts the nickname “Trojans”. -
Trojans Womens NCAA Champs 1984
The 1984 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament began on March 16 and ended on April 1. It featured 32 teams, four fewer than the previous year. Tennessee, Louisiana Tech, Cheyney, and Southern California were the Final Four, with Southern California defeating Tennessee, 72-61, for its second straight title. USC’s Cheryl Miller was named the Most Outstanding Player of the ... -
1998 Trojans Baseball Champions
The 1998 CWS was infamous for producing several high-scoring games, which was termed by media covering the Series as “Gorilla Ball” (or “Geaux-Rilla Ball” among LSU fans), which placed a premium on home runs. LSU, which won the 1996 and 1997 national championships and set an NCAA record in 1997 by hitting 188 home runs, hit eight home runs in ... -
The Trojans team wins its tenth national championship
In 2004: The team wins its tenth national championship, finishing with a 13-0 record and defeating Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl. Matt Leinart wins the Heisman Trophy, joining Carson Palmer as back-to-back Trojans to win the award. -
The Basketball team wins its first Pac-10 tournament title under coach Tim Floyd
In 2007: The team wins its first Pac-10 tournament title under coach Tim Floyd, defeating Oregon 81-57. The team also reaches its second Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA tournament, losing to North Carolina 74-64.
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Southern California Trojans History
The Southern California Trojans have built a deep and celebrated legacy in NCAA athletics, especially in their rivalry with the UCLA Bruins. From their beginnings as an independent squad in 1888, the Southern California Trojans evolved into one of the most successful and influential programs across college sports, excelling in football, track, baseball, and more.
Their Southern California Trojans football program began on USC’s Bovard Field, quickly securing wins over established rivals like Stanford and Cal. USC later joined the Pacific Coast Conference (PCC), where the Trojans won 17 titles between 1926 and 1958. That legacy helped lay the foundation for what is now the Pac-12 Conference, where the Southern California Trojans football program has remained a perennial power.
Between 1955 and 2008, the Southern California Trojans enjoyed several undefeated seasons and multiple national championships under legendary coaches. John McKay led the Trojans to titles in 1967 and 1972, John Robinson secured back-to-back championships in 1978 and 1979, and Pete Carroll added two more in 2003 and 2004. During this era, USC produced Pro Football Hall of Famers like Marcus Allen and Ronnie Lott, cementing the Southern California Trojans football program’s dominance.
In more recent years, the Southern California Trojans have continued to produce NFL talent and post major bowl wins. Under head coach Clay Helton, USC claimed two Rose Bowl victories since 2016. Signal callers like Sam Darnold, drafted third overall in 2018, underscore how the Southern California Trojans football pipeline remains strong and nationally respected.
Beyond football, the University of Southern California Trojans athletic department supports high-level programs in basketball, baseball, track & field, and more. Although USC is best known for its gridiron success, Southern California Trojans basketball and other sports contribute to the full stature of Trojan Nation. The university’s commitment to excellence spans all athletic fields.
Trojans Achievements
The Southern California Trojans football program boasts 11 national championships (as claimed by USC), dozens of conference titles, and an enviable streak of producing Heisman Trophy winners—including Mike Garrett and Reggie Bush—alongside legends like O.J. Simpson, Matt Leinart, and Carson Palmer. USC has sent hundreds of players to the NFL and remains one of the most successful pipelines in pro football.
In addition, the Southern California Trojans have amassed over 100 NCAA team championships across all sports, many in Olympic sports like swimming, track & field, and volleyball. Their depth of achievement across Southern California Trojans basketball, baseball, and Olympic programs underscores USC’s reputation as a comprehensive athletic powerhouse—one of the best in all of college sports.
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