10 USC Traditions Every Applicant Should Know

From Traveler’s touchdown gallop to the Victory Bell rivalry with UCLA, USC traditions are woven into the Trojan experience. They bring students together through shared celebrations, friendly rivalries, and campus rituals that have been passed down for generations.

If you’re applying to USC, these traditions can also strengthen your “Why This College” essay. USC’s required prompt combines “why major” and “why USC” into a single response, so traditions work best as supporting details that reinforce your academic interests and demonstrate that you’ve taken the time to understand the campus community.

In this blog, we’ll explore the USC traditions that shape campus life, then explain where they fit naturally into your response.

• Top 10 USC Traditions
• How to Use USC Traditions in Your Application
• Take the Next Step in Your USC Application
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

Top 10 USC Traditions

The best way to understand USC is not only by reading about its academic programs but also seeing what students rally around, celebrate, and pass down from one generation of Trojans to the next. These USC campus traditions offer a glimpse into the experiences that make campus life uniquely Trojan.

Here are 10 USC traditions every prospective student should know:

1. Card stunts at football games

Imagine sitting in a packed football stadium when, all of a sudden, your entire section transforms into a giant screen. Someone shouts, “Hold up your card!” and boom! The crowd becomes a living, breathing scoreboard spelling out “BEAT UCLA” or forming a Trojan sword. That’s the magic of card stunts, a USC tradition that dates back to 1922.

Card stunts are coordinated displays where thousands of fans hold up colored cards to create an image or message. It was actually USC who really took things to the next level! Led by Yell Leader Lindley Bothwell and the Trojan Knights, USC pulled off the world’s first moving card stunt, long before anyone dreamed of gifs or jumbotrons. That’s some early 20th-century innovation.

Of course, it hasn’t always been smooth. In the 80s, the tradition was paused when fans got too excited and started throwing the cards like frisbees. But in true Trojan fashion, the tradition returned stronger in 2011 with safer, flexible cards. Today, you can still catch card stunts at special games and during Welcome Week’s New Student Rally.

2. The Victory Bell

The Victory Bell is the ultimate prize in USC’s annual football game against UCLA. Each year, the winning team gets to keep the bell and the bragging rights that come with it. However, this isn’t just any trophy! It’s a 295-pound bell that once sat on a Southern Pacific freight train, and its backstory is one for the books.

The bell was gifted to UCLA in 1939 and originally rang after every Bruin touchdown. But two years later, a group of USC students disguised themselves as UCLA fans, helped load the bell onto a truck, stole the key, and drove off to hide it in various spots across Southern California.

What followed was absolute chaos. Students from both sides painted statues, burned letters into lawns, and clashed so often that USC’s president threatened to cancel the rivalry altogether. Both schools then agreed to turn the bell into a trophy awarded to the winner of their yearly football game and that tradition has continued ever since.

Today, the bell gets painted in the winning team’s colors, which are cardinal for USC or blue for UCLA. It’s only brought out during the game and the Monday after, when it’s delivered to the victor’s campus. It stays tucked away the rest of the year, just like it did in its early years.

3. Tommy Watch

Just before the big rivalry game against UCLA, a group of dedicated students pulls all-nighters not for exams, but to protect a statue. During Troy Week, they stand guard over Tommy Trojan, USC’s most famous campus figure, to make sure no one tries to paint him blue and gold.

This tradition dates back to the early 1940s, when some mischievous UCLA students vandalized the Tommy statue with paint. Ever since, students have posted a 24/7 watch to prevent any repeat attacks. Rain or shine, someone is always on duty.

Tommy Watch is also a social event, where people play football and softball, hang out late into the night, and welcome visits from all corners of campus. Coaches, alumni, the marching band, and even USC’s president sometimes stop by to bring snacks or cheer them on.

And if you can’t stop by in person, there’s even a Tommy Cam, a live feed that lets everyone keep an eye on the statue during Troy Week. It’s a fun way to join in the tradition, even from your dorm or halfway across the country.

4. Rubbing George Tirebiter’s nose

In the 1940s, a group of USC students found a small stray dog wandering down Trousdale Parkway. He became known as George Tirebiter because he had a habit of chasing and biting car tires. The students took him in, and he quickly became a beloved figure on campus.

George marched in front of the Trojan Marching Band, wore custom USC sweaters, and starred in football games. During one USC-UCLA game, George cemented his place in Trojan history by biting UCLA’s mascot, Joe Bruin, right on the nose! He was fearless, loyal, and full of school spirit.

Today, George is immortalized in bronze at the south end of Trousdale, looking toward the Coliseum. On game days, it’s tradition for students and fans to rub his nose for good luck as they walk to the stadium. It’s a small moment that keeps the memory of USC’s most legendary pup alive.

5. Traveler

You can’t talk about USC traditions without mentioning Traveler, the majestic white horse who gallops around the Coliseum after every Trojan touchdown. Dressed in Trojan armor, the rider leads the crowd in celebration as Traveler charges down the field. It’s one of the most iconic sights in college football.

Now, Traveler didn’t just appear one day. Before he became the official mascot, a student rode a white horse onto the field during a 1950s football game. That simple entrance set the stage for a tradition that would become part of USC’s identity.

Since then, there have been several versions of Traveler: Traveler I, II, III, and so on. The current mascot is Traveler IX, a white Andalusian gelding known for his calm and powerful presence. While the breed has changed over time, every Traveler has shared the same bright white coat and noble stance.

6. The Jeweled Shillelagh

Every time USC faces Notre Dame, there’s more than just pride on the line. The winner of this legendary rivalry game takes home the Jeweled Shillelagh, a wooden Irish club decked out with ruby-studded Trojan heads or emerald shamrocks, depending on who wins. For tie games, both schools share the spotlight on a split medallion.

A shillelagh (say it like “shuh-LAY-lee”) is a traditional Gaelic war club, and this one has serious character. It was introduced in the 1950s by the Notre Dame Alumni Club of Los Angeles to honor the passion, tradition, and mutual respect between the two programs.

The original trophy eventually ran out of space and now lives at Notre Dame on permanent display. A second shillelagh, handcrafted in Ireland, took its place in the 1990s and is still passed back and forth today. It’s a quirky, historic, and totally unique part of college football and a big deal for Trojans when USC wins.

7. Kicking the flagpoles

At the entrance to USC’s LA campus, you’ll find three tall flagpoles standing along Exposition Boulevard. If you see students or fans walking by and suddenly kicking the base of one, don’t be alarmed. It’s tradition! Trojans do it for a little extra luck on game day.

The custom started with the Trojan Marching Band, which used to kick the poles as they marched down Trousdale Parkway to the Coliseum. It was their way of announcing their presence and getting hyped before the game.

Fans noticed, joined in, and turned it into a campus-wide ritual. Now, every home game, you’ll spot a steady line of people giving the poles a quick kick before heading to the stadium.

8. Springfest

If there’s one event that captures the energy of USC in the spring, it’s Springfest. This annual music festival takes over campus with live performances, food trucks, and free merch booths. It’s loud, it’s crowded, and it’s easily one of the biggest highlights of the semester.

Hosted by the student-run USC Concerts Committee, Springfest has brought in artists like Don Toliver, Flo Milli, and Glass Animals. It’s a full-on concert experience without ever leaving campus, and students look forward to it all year long.

Springfest is open to USC students only, but you can bring up to two guests. Whether you go for the music, the food, or just to hang out on the lawn with your friends, it’s one of those USC traditions that makes campus life feel like more than just class and homework.

9. All Hail Acapella

Start warming up those vocal cords! All Hail is USC’s signature a cappella showcase and one of the most entertaining nights on campus. Each semester (plus a special Halloween edition), all 10 student a cappella groups come together for one giant concert. It’s like Pitch Perfect, but live and way more fun to watch in person.

The event is hosted by the SoCal VoCals, one of the country’s best college a cappella teams. Friendly competition takes a backseat as every group hits the stage with their own sound, style, and surprise song choices. Past performances have included everything from K-pop and Broadway to jazz and throwback hits.

Even if you’re not planning to audition, All Hail is the perfect way to see USC’s musical talent on full display. And if you’re a singer, it’s a great way to scope out which group fits your vibe.

10. Senior Fountain Run

Senior Fountain Run is one of USC’s most talked-about traditions. On the last Thursday of classes, seniors throw on swimsuits, grab their floaties, and dash through every fountain on campus. It’s one last chance to make a splash, literally.

For many students, it’s a rite of passage they’ve been waiting four years to experience. It’s not unusual to see groups of seniors armed with goggles, water guns, and the occasional bottle of champagne, celebrating the end of their college journey in style.

This past year, the USC administration officially canceled the tradition due to safety concerns and cleanup costs. In its place, they offered a tamer version called the “Senior Run.” Still, many seniors found ways to honor the original spirit of the event—just maybe with a little less water.

How to Use USC Traditions in Your Application

USC’s required supplemental essay asks you to describe your academic interests and explain why you want to pursue them at USC, including both your first- and second-choice majors. Because the prompt is primarily about academic fit, your classes, professors, research opportunities, and academic goals should remain the focus of your response.

However, that doesn’t mean traditions have no place in the essay. A well-chosen tradition can reinforce your understanding of USC’s campus culture and add a thoughtful, personal detail without distracting from your academic story.

Here are three ways to use USC traditions effectively in your application:

1. Treat a tradition as a supporting detail, not the main idea.

Most of your 250-word response should explain why USC is the right place to pursue your academic interests. That means highlighting specific courses, professors, research opportunities, interdisciplinary programs, or other resources that connect directly to your first- and second-choice majors.

A tradition can then add a small but meaningful detail to your response. For example, if you’re applying to the School of Cinematic Arts, you might briefly mention Springfest as an example of the vibrant campus community you’d enjoy alongside film school. The tradition reinforces your excitement about life at USC, while your academic interests remain the foundation of the essay.

Keep the focus on why you’ll study at USC, with traditions providing context rather than carrying the response. Admissions officers should finish your essay with a clear understanding of your academic goals and why USC is uniquely equipped to help you pursue them.

2. Connect the tradition to your own interests.

Admissions officers should be able to see why a particular tradition stands out to you. The connection should feel natural, reflecting interests or experiences that have already influenced your academic goals and activities.

For example, a student interested in performance might reference All Hail Acapella because it celebrates collaboration, creativity, and live performance. Someone interested in graphic design or visual communication could point to card stunts as an example of how thoughtful design can unite thousands of people around a shared experience. Each tradition reinforces something the applicant already values instead of introducing an entirely new idea.

Remember, a brief reference can be surprisingly effective when it feels like a natural extension of your story. The tradition becomes another example of what motivates you, making your interest in USC feel more personal and intentional.

3. Use one detail.

A great “Why USC” essay leaves admissions officers with two clear takeaways: what you want to study and why USC is the right place to study it. A tradition can reinforce that message, but it should never become the main story.

The examples below show how to strike that balance.

The first example works because the academic goal drives the response, while the tradition provides context. Tommy Watch adds another dimension to the applicant’s interest in journalism without distracting from the central reason they’re applying to USC.

The second response begins with an academic interest but quickly shifts its focus to campus traditions. As a result, admissions officers learn more about what the applicant hopes to experience than why USC is the right place to pursue journalism. With only 250 words, every sentence should strengthen your academic case, with one well-chosen tradition serving as a supporting detail.

If you’re ready to start drafting your essays, our USC Supplemental Essays Guide is the perfect next step. It breaks down every prompt, shares practical writing strategies, and explains what admissions officers are looking for in a competitive response.

Take the Next Step in Your USC Application

If USC is one of your top-choice schools, it’s worth understanding what makes a competitive application beyond the supplemental essays. Our How to Get into USC Guide breaks down the university’s admissions process, including academics, extracurriculars, essays, and what successful applicants tend to have in common.

For students looking for personalized support, AdmissionSight’s Standard College Counseling Program provides one-on-one guidance throughout the college admissions process, from building your school list to refining your essays and submitting your applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are some fun traditions at USC?

Some of USC’s most beloved traditions include cheering for Traveler after touchdowns, creating card stunts at football games, protecting Tommy Trojan during Tommy Watch, celebrating Springfest, and taking part in Senior Fountain Run before graduation.

2. What is the Victory Bell tradition at USC?

The Victory Bell is the trophy awarded to the winner of USC’s annual football rivalry game against UCLA. After the game, the bell is painted in the winning school’s colors and remains with that university until the next matchup.

3. Who is Traveler, USC’s mascot?

Traveler is USC’s iconic white horse mascot. After every Trojan touchdown, Traveler gallops around the Coliseum with a rider dressed in Trojan armor, making it one of the university’s most recognizable game-day traditions.

4. Does USC have a “Why USC” essay?

Yes. USC requires applicants to complete a 250-word supplemental essay explaining their academic interests and why they want to pursue them at USC. The prompt also asks applicants to discuss both their first- and second-choice majors.

5. How can I mention USC traditions in my “Why USC” essay?

Use one tradition as a supporting detail that complements your academic goals and interest in USC. It should reinforce the reasons you’re applying to USC, giving admissions officers another layer of insight into why the university is the right fit for your interests.

Takeaways

• Many of USC’s best-known traditions are rooted in the university’s longstanding rivalries, game-day culture, and student-led celebrations.
• Traditions like Traveler, Tommy Watch, the Victory Bell, and Springfest showcase the school spirit and shared experiences that are hallmarks of the Trojan community.
• USC’s required supplemental essay is primarily about academic fit, so your intended major and academic interests should remain at the center of your response.
• A well-placed reference to a USC tradition can reinforce your academic story while demonstrating a genuine understanding of campus life.
• If you’re applying to USC or other highly selective universities, working with a private admissions consultant can help you develop a stronger application strategy, refine your essays, and maximize your admissions chances.