This is a picture taken outside the Sports Arena in 1961. The woman is picketing an “anti-communism” school featuring Roy Rogers, Ronald Reagan and Pat Boone. But that’s not why we posted the picture.
We’re fascinated by the huge sign in the background that says “Figueroa Theatre.” Any L.A. history buffs or residents who remember this structure and its purpose, feel free to comment.

There’s been some buzz this week because USC offered a scholarship to Mater Dei quarterback Matt Barkley, who will only be a junior next year.
This only reinforces what we’ve stressed a lot lately, that USC is being forced to offer scholarships a lot earlier thanks to the competition.
And we might add we hear Barkley’s noted the arrival of Arkansas quarterback Mitch Mustain and how it might affect him if he signed with USC.

Answers, answers, answers.
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It might not seem important that USC guard Gabe Pruitt was academically ineligible following the spring semester because he turned pro anyways, but the Trojans could lose a scholarship next year if Pruitt’s ineligibility lowers the team’s Academic Progress Report score below acceptable limits.
“It’s a possibility,” USC coach Tim Floyd said.
The NCAA does not automatically penalize schools when an athlete turns pro early, if that athlete is in good academic standing. For example, Nick Young’s early departure is not expected to hurt the Trojans’ APR score.
The Trojans already fell below the minimum score of 925 (roughly 60 percent graduation rate) in this month’s ratings but were not penalized because of a squad-size adjustments for sports with small rosters.

Hamburg teammates Justin Wyatt and John Walker probably did not further their NFL hopes this week as the Amsterdam Admirals scored 41 points against their defense in a 41-31 victory. Wyatt started and recorded two tackles and a pass defensed while Walker started and recorded one pass defensed. Punter Tom Malones Berlin team lost at Frankfurt, as Malone punted four times for a 43.5 average and a long of 55.

An NAIA school told me today they were interested in defensive tackle Chris Barrett, who they believe would have immediate eligibility if he transferred.
That presents an interesting dilemma for Barrett, who is ineligible for the Trojans. Should he transfer to a lower division for his final season? Barrett might be tempted but another consideration is that he is only about three classes short of getting his degree at USC.

With the NCAA Track and Field West Regionals this weekend, here’s a photo of an often overlooked figure at USC: Track coach Dean Cromwell (with Greta Garbo of course). Cromwell won 12 NCAA titles, including nine straight from 1935-43. He also coached the football team for five years for those of you who think only of football.
My favorite Cromwell story is that in the early 1940’s, he won an NCAA title by sending just four athletes to the finals and did not attend the meet himself. Legend has it the four athletes ran out of money about halfway across the country and only got to the finals when the University of Michigan paid the rest of the way.

Wide receiver Jamere Holland, out the past few weeks with a groin injury, is going to accompany the USC track team to the West regionals but it is not decided whether he will actually run in a relay. Holland’s received an injection to lessen the pain in case he does run this weekend.

Now you too can have the honor of following Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis as he recruits across the country.
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&q=&msa=0&msid=102790552061960146919.000001121ff0891e20b91
But no mention on the site of the barbecue Weis held last weekend?

Kenny Ashley, who signed with USC in 2006, on campus looking to see if there remains any interest. Because he did not qualify academically, it’s not even certain he would meet requirements now.