About The Spirit of Troy
Comprising the USC Trojan Marching Band, USC Song Leaders, USC Spirit Leaders, and the Trojans’ mascot Traveler, The Spirit of Troy is the energetic soul of the University of Southern California, providing the Trojan Family with music, dance, cheer, and esprit de corps.
The Trojan Marching Band was founded in 1880 and now features over 300 passionate students from nearly every major at USC. Twice named the “Best Band in College Football” by USA Today, the Trojan Marching Band has attended over 450 consecutive USC Football games – at home or on the road. A portion of the TMB follows the Trojans to every game with the entire band traveling biennially to the Midwest for the Notre Dame contest. The TMB’s commitment to USC Athletics is not limited to the gridiron, though. From volleyball to soccer, baseball to rowing, the band is there to root the Trojans on to victory, attending over 85 USC sports events each year.
Because of its frequent exposure on the small and silver screens, the Trojan Marching Band has become known as “Hollywood’s Band” and – dating back to John Phillip Sousa’s appearance with the band in 1924 – the band has continuously attracted famous guest artists. The TMB made its own guest appearances with the rock group Fleetwood Mac on the hit 1979 album Tusk and reunion album The Dance in 1997, earning two platinum albums. The Trojan Marching Band is also USC’s goodwill ambassadors to the world, having visited 19 countries on six continents.
Founded in 1969, the USC Song Leaders are often referred to as “Ambassadors of the University of Southern California.” Each year, USC Song Leaders learn and perfect new choreography for over 30 high energy routines. The Song Leaders perform at all football games, Trojan athletic sporting events, alumni, charitable, university, and special events throughout the calendar year. The dedication, loyalty and quest for continual improvement are hallmarks of the USC Song Leaders program. These students are truly dance athletes with a special mission of spirit and goodwill that is at the same time broad and focused in continuing the tradition of Trojan Excellence.
The USC Spirit Leaders are the cheer and spirit squad with the megaphones that has been keeping up the Trojan Spirit since 2006. In addition to rallies, USC functions, and alumni events, the Spirit Leaders attend all athletic games and matches cheering on the Trojans.
Traveler, the noble white horse that appears at all the USC football games with a Trojan warrior astride, is one of the most famous college mascots. Traveler first made an appearance at USC football games in 1961 at the home opener versus Georgia Tech. Bob Jani, USC’s director of special events, and Eddie Tannenbaum, a junior at USC, had spotted Richard Saukko riding his white horse, Traveler I, in the 1961 Rose Parade. They persuaded Saukko to ride his white horse around the Coliseum during USC games, serving as a mascot. Ever since, whenever USC scores, the band plays “Conquest” and Traveler gallops around the Coliseum.