Sidney Announcement

I was just in the locker room after practice and Timmey Floyd asked me to wire the "usual payment" to Sidney first thing Sunday morning. Expect a trOJan commitment fellas!

Sidney will be sitting on Floyd's bench watching him make a donkey's end out of himself as usual.

Not unless the ghost of Sam Gilbert can get to Sidney first and help UCLA sweeten its offer.

Rumor has it that Bow Wow is now involved in a package deal!

I heard Roby Toma was supposed to deliver Sidney with a big red bow!

Roby Toma was going to until ESPN ran a rerun of Outside the Lines featuring the OJ May SCandal...and then Yahoo Sports had another article on the Reggie Busch SCandal. Apparently that scared both Toma in Football and Sidney in Basketball. Those dark clouds looming over South Central were just too scary.

But on a positive note, Lil Romeo (who didn't win an AA skills challenge) will be performing a free concert at the Galen Center Sunday night! Scott Wolf is going to be working the soft serve machine - as long as its working!

Blue Bruin: Funny one liners, keep 'em coming.
Rodney: Boring... keep your day job.

Locoweed:

Q: Why do one liners seem to be so popular with trOJies?
A: Because they have no answers regarding their SCandals.

Truth hurts.

Was Bush before or after the Fwy-405 College football placard scandal? So long ago I cannot recall. I do recall that several of 405's footballers were grounded for steroid use a few months back. But I guess that does not count as a scandal.

Is there anybody more pathetic than a bald-faced hypocrite?

LJ rears his end.

UCLA took a huge PR hit with the parking SCandal - no doubt about it. The additional steroid reference pales in comparison to:

On August 23, 2001, the NCAA placed USC's athletic department on probation for two years and cut scholarships because tutors wrote papers for three athletes in the late 1990s.

On April 26, 2006, USC quarterback Mark Sanchez was arrested for investigation of sexually assaulting a female student earlier that same day. Sanchez was released upon posting $200,000 bail, and was ordered to appear in court on May 17, 2006

On November 2, 2005, USC linebacker Rey Maualuga was arrested for investigation of misdemeanor battery after punching a man at an off-campus Halloween party (twice, without provocation)

On July 19, 2003, USC Sophomore OT Winston Justice pleaded no contest to solicitation of a prostitute in Long Beach on June 24.

On March 3, 2004, Winston Justice was arrested on suspicion of felony assault with a deadly weapon. On June 15, 2004, Justice pleaded no contest to exhibition of a replica firearm. Justice was sentenced to 60 days of electronic monitoring and three years' probation.

In January 2007, a federal investigation into extortion claims by former USC running back Reggie Bush and his family revealed the existence of taped converstations that could confirm Bush took cash and gifts while he was playing football for USC. It was also reported that nearly $280,000 in cash, rent and gifts were allegedly given to Bush and his family.

Care to comment on the above? When you're done with those LAWYER JOHN I can give more. Will you be at the Reggie Bush deposition? He'll need all the help he can get.

Wow, "Rodney" of the Nation of Idiots just can't let go. Is that you Murshed?
Fight on Blue Bruin.

October 1996
Both the conference and the university have been looking into the sale of a car by Harrick's son, Glenn, to Lisa Hodoh on Sept. 20. At issue was whether the sale of the car to Davis' sister was a way of offering Davis financial aid. Early reports said that the car was valued at $12,750, and that the car was sold to Hodoh for $5000.
The sale came two days after Baron Davis, Hodoh's younger brother, verbally committed to play for the Bruins. Davis is a highly recruited 6-foot, 1-inch point guard who began his senior year at Santa Monica Crossroads High last month.
Davis was seen driving the 1991 Chevy Blazer days after he verbally committed to UCLA. But although the truck was always registered in his father's name, Glenn Harrick said it was his car ''from the day it was bought,'' and that he got his father's signature on the title when he recently began thinking of selling it.

November 1996
The violation stems from Harrick filing a false expense report connected with a recruiting dinner on Oct. 11. The dinner was attended by five current student-athletes and three recruits. The dinner violated NCAA rule 13.7.5.6 which states that a school ca nnot provide a free meal or entertainment to a student that assists in the recruitment of a prospect.
When Harrick was later confronted by university officials regarding the night in question, he admitted that he had misled the university with his report. This act violated NCAA rules relating to unethical conduct and university policy regarding the filing of a false expense report.
''Cheating is a planned thing,'' Harrick said at a press conference. ''You know, some-thing happened, but it wasn't in my estimation a grave thing. Boy, to call you in after practice and to just lay it down to you with no explanation whatsoever is just n ot right."

May 1997
U.C.L.A.'s athletic program was put on probation for three years, was told to forfeit its 1995 women's softball national championship, and was barred from this year's National Collegiate Athletic Association softball tournament in a ruling yesterday. The N.C.A.A. committee on infractions also required that a senior associate director of athletics be removed, a move U.C.L.A. carried out last year. And the N.C.A.A. also limited the university's scholarships for softball for the next two years, according to the N.C.A.A. announcement.
The violations involved listing some softball players as multisport athletes receiving soccer scholarships, although they did not compete in soccer. The senior associate director of athletics, Judith Holland, was involved in arranging a soccer tryout for one of those softball players, but not until after the soccer season was over, the N.C.A.A. reported.

July 1999
Chicago Bears quarterback Cade McNown and Washington Redskins running back Skip Hicks were among five men charged Monday with illegally possessing handicapped parking placards while they played football at UCLA.
The misdemeanor charges filed by the City Attorney's Office brought to 19 the number of current and former Bruins alleged to be part of the handicapped parking scam.
Also named in the new charges were Larry Atkins, who plays for the Kansas City Chiefs, former UCLA linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo and current UCLA player Eric Whitfield.

June 2000
The UCLA football program, often under fire because of legal difficulties the last couple of years, got another black eye Friday when freshman linebacker Asi Faoa, 19, was arrested in an incident that has left a fellow student with brain damage.
Faoa, who redshirted last season, was charged with mayhem and assault with means likely to produce bodily injury, according to the L.A. County district attorney’s office.
He was held on $100,000 bond and will be arraigned Monday to answer the charges that stem from an April 30 block party in Westwood Village. The complaint alleges that Faoa, a 6-foot-4, 240-pounder, is responsible for injuries to Rodrigo Dezubriria, 22, that resulted in brain damage. Foao was suspended by athletic officials.

October 2000
Convicted 10 weeks ago on a misdemeanor marijuana charge, star UCLA running back DeShaun Foster has remained free of suspension because Coach Bob Toledo said he believed the incident was isolated.

November 2001
Daily Bruin Reporter UCLA starting quarterback Cory Paus was arrested over the summer for an alcohol-related vehicular violation according to court documents first obtained by The Daily News.
This is the second such violation that Paus has received in the last 15-months, and he will be required to spend a minimum of four days in jail after the season ends. He will also have to go into an alcohol education program and serve a 5-year probationary period.

November 2001
DeShaun Foster, a Heisman trophy candidate and UCLA’s best hope to turn around a flagging season, has committed an NCAA violation and is ineligible to play in Saturday’s game against Oregon.
According to sources, the senior tailback was driving a late-model sports utility vehicle that belongs to someone close to the UCLA program, which constitutes an “extra benefits” violation.

July 2002
C.J. Niusulu, an incoming UCLA freshman football player at the time (and someone who spent 3 years on the football team), was arrested July 25 on charges of felony battery, according to reports by the Desert Dispatch.
Niusulu, 18, surrendered to authorities at his Barstow, Calif., home after allegedly causing serious injury to a minor on July 17 at a drive-in theater, according to Sgt. Lon Jacobs of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

August 2002
Junior reserve offensive guard Shane Lehmann was suspended for Saturday’s season opener against Colorado State after pleading no contest Tuesday to a misdemeanor battery charge for an incident that occurred at Madison’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill in May.

September 2003
A UCLA quarterback situation already clouded by Matt Moore’s leg injury was further muddled Monday when it was learned that backup John Sciarra was arrested last month in Newport Beach on misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct-public intoxication and giving false information to a police officer.

September 2003
The same problems that marred the UCLA football program in the latter stages of Bob Toledo’s seven-year reign as coach – and contributed to Toledo’s firing last winter – have crept into the early stages of the Karl Dorrell era.
Cornerback Marcus Cassel was suspended Monday from the Bruins’ season opener at Colorado on Saturday because he had “violated team rules.” Tuesday, it was learned that the reserve cornerback was arrested this summer on a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence.
According to Athletic Director Dan Guerrero, Cassel was “very forthright” in his handling of the situation, informing Dorrell of the arrest shortly after it had occurred. Dorrell decided in July to suspend Cassel for the first game but waited until Monday to announce the punishment, then mentioned only the violation of team rules.
The case seemed eerily familiar to that of former UCLA quarterback Cory Paus, who failed to notify Toledo of two DUI convictions in 2001, charges that, when they came to light, embarrassed the program. Dorrell and Guerrero insisted, however, that they were aware of Cassel’s transgression soon after the arrest.

May 2005
Two UCLA freshman football players, John Hale and Jess Ward, pleaded not guilty Thursday to felony assault charges in connection to a house-party fight in February.
Warrants were issued Wednesday for Hale and Ward for their alleged involvement in a brawl at the home of Ward’s parents in Running Springs. The players reported to San Bernardino County Superior Court on Thursday and were released on their own recognizance after making their plea.

December 2005
UCLA football player Justin Medlock was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, the Los Angeles Daily News reported Sunday.
The Associated Press reported Medlock is also under investigation for felony hit-and-run after allegedly rolling a pickup truck on a Southern California freeway and leaving the scene of the accident, which also left a member of the school's women's golf team seriously injured, authorities said Sunday.

May 2006
Former UCLA running back Maurice Drew and two other former UCLA football players were charged with assault on Thursday after they allegedly attacked a man in a Denny’s restaurant in Westwood last month, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office announced.
Drew, along with former Bruins Ricky Manning and Tyler Ebell, was arrested April 23 after the alleged attack. The three players reportedly drove off in Manning’s SUV, but were pulled over by police officers once the vehicle was identified from a helicopter.
The players were charged with one count of assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury, Deputy District Attorney Karen Murcia said.
They were released on $30,000 bail each. Their arraignment, originally scheduled for Thursday, was postponed until May 26.

July 2007
If you woke up to the morning news program on KCBS-2, you heard that UCLA wide receivers coach Eric Scott was arrested, along with two other men on a charge of burglary.
CBS2 reported that L.A. County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a 911 call to a residence on the 1100 block of Pioneer Boulevard in Norwalk yesterday and found Scott and two other men engaged in burglarizing a house. All three were arrested. Scott was released on $50,000 bail.

Looks like EL Sid and Sur Lance of NY are both going to Ucla since Lance took USC off his list the day before Sid put Ucla on his all of a sudden.

Ps lance never had ucla on his list before, but how can they give anymore scholarships they are at limit now with 5 commits

Rusty Buckets, that piece was priceless.

Maybe we can put to rest which school has the high moral ground, but don't bet on it. Every competitive school has had some dirt at one time or another. And how can you police 100 footballers who are conceited hellraisers used to getting their way?

As for Bush, he is guilty, but that does not mean SC is guilty. Also, I believe Bush will pay off his accusers and that deposition will never take place because Bush has too much to lose if the truth is made public.

Enough said. How about talking about sports; we get enough hard news in real life.

Yours is UCLA from 1996...this is USC only from 2001.

On August 23, 2001, the NCAA placed USC's athletic department on probation for two years and cut scholarships because tutors wrote papers for three athletes in the late 1990s. The events leading to the probation were before Carroll's time, but I include this for completeness sake.

In 2002, the father of USC tailback Justin Fargas invited former USC Heisman Trophy winner, and alleged double-murderer, O. J. Simpson to a team practice (he was found not guilty in his criminal trial but was later found liable in a civil trial). After the practice, Carroll allowed Simpson to come onto the field and meet the players and pose for pictures. Carroll defends himself from criticism by claiming that Simpson wasn't invited. In May 2008, Simpson's ex manager alleged that Simpson admitted to killing Nicole Brown Simpson.

On July 19, 2003, USC Sophomore OT Winston Justice pleaded no contest to solicitation of a prostitute in Long Beach on June 24. Winston was put on 3 years probation and fined $300 for the offense.
On March 3, 2004, Winston Justice was arrested on suspicion of felony assault with a deadly weapon. On June 15, 2004, Justice pleaded no contest to exhibition of a replica firearm. Justice was sentenced to 60 days of electronic monitoring and three years' probation. Justice was also suspended for two semesters by USC's student affairs committee after his arrest.

In August 2004, USC starting tailback Hershel Dennis was at the center of a police investigation of an alleged sexual assault. According to sources, the incident took place at a party on August 16, and involved a female friend of Dennis. On August 17, Dennis was removed from practice and suspended by Carroll for "disciplinary reasons," including breaking curfew. On December 13, 2004, the LAPD announced it would not press charges.

In late March 2005, USC starting cornerback Eric Wright was arrested for investigation of sexual assault. Wright was booked on rape charges and bail was set at $100,000 according to the Sheriff's Department. Wright was held out of spring practice, and, in April 2005, the district attorney declined to press charged because of insufficient evidence. Nevertheless, on June 2, 2005, Wright left USC amid possible disciplinary action. On August 25, Wright was suspended by three semesters by USC's student affairs committee, based upon the district attorney's office having found 136 pills of the drug Ecstasy in Wright's room at an apartment he shared with another player.

In early April 2005, USC tight end Dominique Bird fractured his jaw during an alleged altercation with receiver Steve Smith. Bird, Smith and Carroll reportedly refused to comment on the incident, and no disciplinary action was taken.

In August 2005, USC defensive end Frostee Rucker allegedly got into a fight with his girlfriend at a party he was hosting in Los Angeles. In June 2006, Rucker was charged with two misdemeanor counts of spousal battery and two counts of vandalism and was scheduled to be arraigned on August 11, 2006. Despite the incident, Rucker did not face any discipline from USC, and didn't miss a game. In May 2007, Rucker pleaded guilty to false imprisonment and vandalism charges stemming from the 2005 incident. As part of a plea agreement, the prosecutors dropped a charge of spousal battery and Rucker was sentenced to three years of probation. Prior to transferring to USC, in April of 2002, Rucker was charged in Colorado with sexual assault and indecent exposure. Rucker reportedly eventually accepted a one-year deferred sentence on a misdemeanor harassment charge.

On August 13, 2005, 10 veteran USC players were involved in a hazing incident where they shaved the head of freshman quarterback Mark Sanchez. Also, what started out as a water fight between USC players, escalated into an all-out brawl as it spiraled out of control. Reportedly, there was significant damage to the players dorms as players were thrown through walls.

On October 31, 2005, USC tailback LenDale White played a macabre prank by pretending to quit the team and throwing a dummy off a building on Child's Way. Separately, Pete Carroll apologized to Washington State coach Bill Doba for USC players pushing and bumping Doba while trying to get to the locker room during halftime of their game.

On November 2, 2005, USC linebacker Rey Maualuga was arrested for investigation of misdemeanor battery after punching a man at an off-campus Halloween party (twice, without provocation). A witness at the scene reportedly quoted Maualuga as stating "I own the police." Carroll took no disciplinary action, and Maualuga played the following weekend against Stanford. One USC pundit observed at the time that "discipline is Coach Carroll's number one weakness." On November 22, 2005, the city attorney's office declined to file charges. Maualuga was defended at the court hearing by controversial and well-connected USC alumni attorney Carmen "Nooch" Trutanich, who has a long history with USC and previously represented both Wright and Dennis.
On December 21, 2005, USC starting quarterback Matt Leinart had his eligibility temporarily revoked after appearing in a promotional segment on ESPN earlier that month, a violation of an NCAA rule. Leinart was reinstated shortly thereafter. One observer claims the NCAA was just concerned about money.

On January 1, 2006, reporters from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and CBS Sportline reportedly told the USC football team about potential recruiting violations stemming from visits by USC recruits to Papadakis Taverna, a Greek restaurant owned by former USC linebacker John Papadakis. As of July 2007, the investigation by USC compliance officials continued.

On January 21, 2006, USC quarterback Matt Leinart was cited by the Pac-10 for working out with his own coach using school facilities. According to the NCAA, a student athlete cannot utilize the school's facilities to work out with a coach, unless the coach is affiliated with the university.
On April 21, 2006, the family of USC running back Reggie Bush was implicated by numerous separate media reports as having lived in a house purchased by a San Diego-area man with ties to a sports agent and a tribal casino. Both the Pac-10 and the NCAA have launched an investigation into potential NCAA violations in connnection with this matter, which is pending. More recent reports in this fast evolving story are here, here, and here. Yahoo Sports, which is responsible for much of the investigative reporting on this issue, has set up a page dedicated to its eight-month probe here.

On April 26, 2006, USC quarterback Mark Sanchez was arrested for investigation of sexually assaulting a female student earlier that same day. Sanchez was released upon posting $200,000 bail, and was ordered to appear in court on May 17, 2006. Sanchez was also placed on "interim suspension" by USC while the case was pending.

On June 2, 2006, the LA District Attorney announced that it would not be bring charges against Sanchez due to insufficient evidence.

On April 30, 2006, it was reported that USC compliance officials were investigating whether an NCAA rule was violated because receiver Dwayne Jarrett failed to pay approximately $10,000 for his half of the rent for an upscale apartment he shared with former quarterback Matt Leinart. USC claims that no rules were violated, though it was initially reported that Jarret may have to sit out a portion of the 2006-07 season. Jarrett ultimately avoided punishment and was the 45th pick in the 2007 NFL draft. After a disappointing season, Jarrett was arrested on March 11, 2008 and charged with driving under the influence.

In August of 2006, USC defensive back Brandon Ting quit the football team after reportedly testing postive for steroid use. His twin brother, Ryan, also a defensive back on the USC football team, quit the team just days later, claiming that he wanted to concentrate on preparing for medical school, and was never tested. Interestingly, Arthur Ting, father of the twins, is a Bay Area orthopedic surgeon who has reportedly appeared as a witness before a grand jury considering possible perjury charges against baseball's Barry Bonds, one of Arthur's clients. This incident finally triggered some real interest by the LA Times.

On August 29, 2006, it was announced that former USC quarterback Matt Leinart would be having a child out of wedlock with USC basketball player Brynn Cameron. While not improper in any meaningful way outside of his personal life, this event begins a long list of embarrassing incidents involving the former USC star (not to mention other USC quarterbacks).

On October 16, 2006, it was announced that then 14-year-old high school freshman Dwayne Polee Jr., who had yet to even play a game at Westchester high, had verbally committed to USC’s basketball team. Though not improper, the early commitment was unconventional, and was repeated in June 2007 when USC announced the verbal commitment of 14-year-old middle school player Ryan Boatright, who, at the time, had not yet even decided upon where he was going to high school. Further eyebrows were raised in June 2007, when USC hired Dwayne Polee Sr., father of Dwayne Polee Jr., as Director of Basketball Operations, amid charges of nepotism.

On December 4, 2006, former USC stand-out, and former Rams rookie, tight end Dominique Byrd was arrested for allegedly hitting a bar patron in the face with a drinking glass. Byrd was charged with second- and third-degree assault and armed criminal action. He was released shortly after posting a $25,000 bond. In early May, 2008, Byrd was scheduled to go to trial in St. Louis Circuit Court on felony charges of assault and armed criminal action stemming from the nightclub scuffle in December 2006. In March 2007, he was charged with DUI in California. In October 2007, he pleaded no contest to the DUI charge and received three years' probation. In May 2008, Byrd was released by the Rams.

In January 2007, a federal investigation into extortion claims by former USC running back Reggie Bush and his family revealed the existence of taped converstations that could confirm Bush took cash and gifts while he was playing football for USC. It was also reported that nearly $280,000 in cash, rent and gifts were allegedly given to Bush and his family. The information came to light following the issuance of grand jury subpoenas to multiple witness by the U.S. District Attorney's office in San Diego. Both the NCAA and Pac-10 continue to investigate. Also, more recent articles suggest that Reggie Bush was involved earlier and more deeply than previously reported in efforts to create the sports marketing agency at the center of the continuing controversy. The investigation has, to date, yielded no definitive proof that USC officials had knowledge of Bush's misconduct, though Bush was nevertheless asked not to attend the Trojans' Rose Bowl matchup against Michigan on New Year's Day.

On February 2, 2007, it was reported that a "stampede of student athletes," including three USC linemen, ex-USC receiver Keary Colbert, and members of the USC women's basketball, volleyball and water polo teams, had improperly attempted to take an academic shortcut around the university's foreign language requirement by signing up for a course at Los Angeles Trade Tech College taught by USC graduate Senora Ross, who promised to give the athletes no lower than a "B." Upon discovering the situation, USC officials disallowed the transfer of credits from Trade Tech.

On February 8, 2007, it was reported that USC football players had created and joined a racist Facebook group as a "joke." The racist Facebook group was called "White Nation," showed a graphic of a swastika and black baby in handcuffs with the caption "arrest black babies before they become criminals." The group was created by USC linebacker Clay Matthews and was joined by teammates David Buehler, Brian Cushing, Dan Deckas and Dallas Sartz. Coach Pete Carroll responded to reports of the incident by saying he had no plans to discipline the players, and USC later announced that none of the players would be punished. According to Carroll, "[i]t's not a controversy, it's a mistake."

On February 9, 2007, USC compliance officials announced they were investigating whether an NCAA violation occurred during the Trojans' pursuit of Louisiana prep star running back Joe McKnight. The investigation followed reports that McKnight had told reporters that USC coach Pete Carroll had set up a conference call so he and high school coach J.T. Curtis could be assured by ex-Trojan running back Reggie Bush that USC would not be punished for a separate NCAA investigation into improper benefits allegedly taken by Bush. Carroll later denied that any call took place, and Curtis said that McKnight misspoke. According to NCAA officials, if USC got Bush's help in recruiting McKnight, it would be considered a "secondary violation" of recruiting rules.

On March 9, 2007, USC basketball recruit O.J. Mayo was arrested for misdemeanor marijuana possession in Huntington, West Virginia. Mayo was one of four young males found in a suspicious vehicle by a Cabell County Sheriff's drug task force unit assigned to serve a search warrant at a house nearby. The charges against Mayo were later dismissed by a magistrate judge, after the driver of the vehicle pleaded guilty to the charge (though Mayo's father subsequently had his own difficulties). The incident followed a controversy in January following Mayo's two (some sources say three) game suspension after receiving two technical fouls in a high school game and coming into contact with an official, as well as prior reports of three suspensions by his high school, the last one following an altercation with a female student.

On April 14, 2007, it was announced that Percy Romeo Miller, also known as Romeo (and formerly Lil' Romeo) had been offered a basketball scholarship to USC. The scholarship offer, to a 5-foot-10 point guard with a bad knee who had never played a full season of high-school basketball, was roundly criticized by national commentators as a thinly veiled attempt by USC to obtain the commitment of Miller's friend, prep star and NBA prospect Demar DeRozan, while ignoring Miller's mediocre at best talent.

In the first week of August, 2007, there were new developments in the NCAA investigation of former USC running back Reggie Bush, when it was reported that audio recordings that allegedly establish an improper financial relationship between Bush and a would-be sports marketing agent were played for NCAA investigators. The tapes were revealed after Lloyd Lake, a partner in failed sports marketing agency New Era Sports enterprise, filed a lawsuit against Bush and his family, seeking to recoup nearly $300,000 in benefits Lake claims he helped provide. Lake's allegations were further detailed in January 2008, with the publication of Don Yaeger's book Tarnished Heisman, which chronicled various allegations swirling around Bush's USC tenure, including claims that Bush received $47,000 out of an overall $291,000 that went to his family from sports marketer Lake. That same month, published reports contained Lake's (unsubstantiated) allegation that USC coaches knew Bush was taking money in violation of NCAA rules.

On August 28, 2007, a contributor to Bruinsnation.com unearthed a report from April 1996 that USC running backs coach Todd McNair was arrested and charged with 81 offenses involving the mistreatment of 22 pit bulls being trained on his property for dogfights while a running back for the Houston Oilers. In light of recent press relating to NFL quarterback Michael Vick, the report unleashed a firestorm, with numerous acts of alleged animal cruelty being uncovered in McNair's past, including multiple misdemeanors convictions (via plea bargain) regarding animal cruelty and failure to license, and "all indications" that McNair was involved in dog flighting. McNair, who was previously implicated in Reggie Bush scandal, having allegedly known about Bush's involvement with the New Era venture before USC national championship game against Texas, faced no discipline from USC.

On September 27, 2007, it was reported that USC sophomore point guard Daniel Hackett would be sidelined at least six weeks after suffering multiple fractures of his jaw when he was struck by the "elbow" of teammate O.J. Mayo during a pickup game. Shortly thereafter, it was reported, based upon several sources, including a member of the basketball team, that Mayo punched Hackett during the game. The player was quoted as saying "Yeah, he punched him," "They changed the story for the media." Despite later denials by Floyd and others, this version of the events was confirmed on multiple occasions.

On November 3, 2007, convicted felon Suge Knight was given a sideline pass to a USC game. Knight joins O.J. Simpson and Snoop Dogg as USC's esteemed guests.

In early November 2007, USC forward Davon Jefferson was suspended for the team's embarrassing season-opening loss to Mercer. Jefferson, who required two years to meet the NCAA's minimum academic requirements and was kicked out of prep school before he joined USC, was also later benched for much of a narrow loss at Stanford and also suspended for a loss to Washington State. After clashing with Floyd, Jefferson did not even inform the school of his decision to turn pro.

On January 21, 2008, USC freshman guard O.J. Mayo was alleged to have violated NCAA rules by accepting complimentary tickets from Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony to a Lakers-Nuggets game at Staples Center. Coach Floyd subsequently took the blame, and Mayo was ultimately required to donate the value of the tickets to charity.

On March 2, 2008, USC defensive tackle Fili Moala was arrested for resisting and obstructing an officer after a melee at a Newport Beach bar was broken up by police. Moala was released after posting $500 bail, and on March 13, the Orange County district attorney's office declined to press charges.

On March 5, 2008, USC recruit Maurice Simmons was arrested for robbery in Compton, after he allegedly pointed a handgun at a man and demanded his belongings. Simmons, a linebacker from Dominguez High School, was initially held at the Los Angeles County jail on $50,000 bail, and then released after posting bail of $85,000. Simmons was arraigned on March 7, and his preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 15, 2008. To date, USC has not indicated whether or not it intends to honor its commitment to Simmons. Developing.

On April 1, 2008, USC head coach Pete Carroll, in an attempt to make light of the Trojan's extensive past history of criminality, invited members of the LAPD to play a prank on defensive end Everson Griffen, who was said to have "physically abused a freshman" and was threatened with arrest during a team meeting.

On April 6, 2008, USC sophomore tailback Joe McKnight was held out of the team's scrimmage and it was announced that he would miss the final week of spring workouts because he was academically ineligible to participate. McKnight had dropped a class, leaving him without the 12 units required for eligibility.

On April 27, 2008, the NFL draft ended with USC guard Drew Radovich remaining unselected. Expected by some to be a mid-to-late round pick, Radovich's stock allegedly dropped based upon character concerns.
In late April or early May, 2008, a video was posted on Pete Carroll's website starring his son, Brennan. The video, replete with profanity and questionable behavior, was widely ridiculed, and was allegedly used against USC in recruiting. In mid-May, the video was removed from youtube.com, with Carroll explaining that it was just a "spoof."

On May 2, 2008, the judge in the civil litigation between former USC running back Reggie Bush and Lloyd Lake ordered the parties to appear in June 2008 for their depositions, and denied Bush's attempts to impose a "gag order" to prevent the deposition transcripts from being shared with the NCAA. The judge also set a trial date of March 13, 2009.

On May 4, 2008, former USC tight end Fred Davis failed to attend the final practice of the The Washington Redskins minicamp because he overslept after a late night out. Besides giving a poor first impression, Davis confirmed concerns about his commitment to football dating back to his time at USC. Davis was suspended for two games his freshman year at USC for coming back late from his home in Ohio, and missed the 2005 Orange Bowl.

On May 6, 2008, it was announced that USC's men's basketball team was the only major athletic program in the Southland penalized with scholarship losses as the result of a poor performance in the NCAA's academic progress rate. The Trojans were penalized in part because Lodrick Stewart, Nick Young and Gabe Pruitt stopped attending class after the 2007 season, and because three players transferred within the same season. USC's APR score of 804 was 121 points below the minimum-acceptable mark, and stemmed from various academic problems, including Gabe Pruitt's academic ineligibility for the fall 2006 semester, and his ineligibility again following the spring 2007 semester. USC served the penalty during the 2007-08 season.

On May 13, 2008, ESPN aired an episode of Outside the Lines that contained extensive, well-documented allegations that USC guard O.J. Mayo received improper benefits from a sports agent (BDA Sports) and that agent's runner (Rodney Guillory) both before and during his one season at USC. It was alleged that Guillory received benefits in excess of $200,000, while Mayo received $30,000 in benefits, including cash, clothes, cell phone service, and a flat screen television for his dorm room. USC immediately faced a storm of criticism, with several prominent commentator calling for sanctions, including the so-called "death penalty." The criticism of USC intensified as it was reported that Guillory was given largely unfettered access to Mayo and the athletic department, after a highly unusual recruitment process, despite USC knowing of his involvement with agents, including a prior scandal with USC's Jeff Trepagnier, for many years. The Pac-10 and the NCAA have launched investigations. Developing.

Dude you forgot about the great Darrell Henley Sur Coke A lot and yes Rod we do pay are players at least 1 Billion dollars a day.

I've only got one comment for ol' potty-mouth Rodney Guillory. Get a job, boy, you got too much time on your hands.

Isn't there some quote about people living in glass houses or something?

Hey Murshed,
You forgot to include that Gloomy Gus Henderson once drank bootleg gin and could have been involved in the Lindbergh Baby conspiracy.

Rusty Buckets, comment of the year!!!

Rodney Guillory, hypocrite of the year!!!

What, no mention of girlfriend-beater Dragovic?