Oct. 29, 2015

LOS ANGELES—The University of Southern California, as part of its long-term lease agreement, unveiled its proposed preliminary plans to renovate and restore the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum during a meeting today (Oct. 29) with the Coliseum Commission.

If approved by the Commission, a full project launch will be announced in the spring of 2016. Construction would begin after the 2017 USC football season and completed for the 2019 football home opener, without impact to the 2018 season.

The estimated $270-million renovation will be privately funded by USC and USC will work to preserve the historic nature of the Coliseum. The planned renovation would far exceed USC’s obligations under its lease agreement to invest $100 million in improvements by 2054, including $70 million over the next decade.

“The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is a treasure not just for Los Angeles but for the state of California, and its renovation is long overdue,” said USC President C.L. Max Nikias. “Our Board of Trustees has enthusiastically endorsed our plans and we are pleased to now present them to the Coliseum Commission. We believe these renovations will strengthen the Coliseum’s reputation as one of the world’s great venues, and also will enhance our world-class athletic programs that utilize the Coliseum.”

Said USC athletic director Pat Haden: “We are committed to providing our players, coaches and fans with one of the best facilities in the nation. This needed renovation to a stadium built in 1923 will ensure that the game-day experience gives all fans options to enjoy the stadium’s new amenities while recognizing the loyalty of our long-time fans. It also will provide our football team with a first-class facility and a home field advantage.”

The planned renovations include:

–Replacing every seat in the stadium and installing handrails throughout the stadium.

–Adding aisles, widening seats and increasing leg room in many sections.

–Building a new structure on the south side of the stadium that will include suites, loge boxes, club seats, a new concourse, and a new press box.

–Restoring the iconic peristyle to more closely resemble the stadium’s original design.

–Updating Wi-Fi technology throughout the venue.

–Improving audio and video, including two new large screens at the east end of the stadium.

–Adding new concession stands, and improving existing stands.

–Upgrading entry concourses.

–Installing new field and stadium lighting.

–Replacing the electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems to meet current standards.

The renovation will be funded entirely by USC Athletics from capital gifts, sponsorship revenue, non-USC events at the Coliseum and donor naming opportunities. It will not require any student fees or general university, local, state or federal funds.

The improvements to the stadium seating and aisles will reduce seating capacity from 93,607 to approximately 77,500. Student and band seats will not be relocated and USC will work to upgrade the student experience.

USC Athletics is committed to providing affordable seating options to all Trojan fans. Approximately two thirds of the seating in the renovated Coliseum will not require any capital donation. It is anticipated that the remaining inventory will be designated for supporters who make a one-time capital gift and are members of the Trojan Athletic Fund.

Those interested in receiving renovation updates, including renderings, seating options and amenities, can visit www.coliseumrenovation.com to register to become a “Coliseum Renovation Insider.”

Trojan Athletic Fund members and season ticket holders need not register, as they will be the first to receive project updates. They also will have priority to select seating, commensurate with membership level and years of support. “We are committed to completing this process in the most fan-friendly manner possible, recognizing the loyalty of our Trojan Athletic Fund members and long-time season ticket holders and providing a wide variety of seating options,” said Haden.

In the summer of 2013, USC received approval from the Coliseum Commission and the Board of Directors of the California Science Center to allow the transaction between the university and the state of California for USC to begin operating and renovating the Coliseum.

USC has been a tenant in the Coliseum since the historic stadium opened in 1923. The Coliseum last had substantial renovations 20 years ago, when $93 million was spent to repair damages sustained during Southern California’s 1994 earthquake and then another $6 million was spent to construct a new press box in 1995. Prior to that, the Coliseum underwent $15 million in renovations in 1993 when the stadium’s floor was lowered, new rows of seats were added down low and locker rooms and public restrooms were upgraded.

In its history, the Coliseum has hosted two Olympics, two Super Bowls, a World Series, a Papal Mass and visits by three U.S. Presidents. Besides USC football, the stadium has served at one time as the home to UCLA football, the pro football franchises of the Rams, Dons, Chargers, Raiders, Express and Xtreme, and baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers. It also has been the site of various other events, including concerts and international soccer.

The Coliseum currently is participating in a “zero waste initiative” in conjunction with USC’s Office of Sustainability and the Green Sports Alliance.

The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum remembers the Games of the Modern Xth Olympiads as it now celebrates its 83rd Anniversary of the 1932 Summer Olympic Games, the first of two Olympiads hosted, that ran from July 30th to August 14, 1932. The Games were a global multi-athletic event held in the Coliseum, which was temporarily renamed the Los Angeles Olympic Stadium. The Coliseum was commissioned to be built in 1921 as a memorial to Los Angeles veterans of World War I and was designed by notable Los Angeles architects John and Donald Parkinson, a father-and-son architectural team. The original bowl’s preliminary construction costs were $954,873. It was later enlarged for the 1932 Summer Olympic Games from its original 1923 capacity of 75,144 seats to 105,574 seats. The Olympic cauldron torch was added to the peristyle on the east end of the stadium, as well as the Olympic rings symbols which were placed over the main center entrance of the peristyle. Between the double peristyle arches is the Coliseum’s “Court of Honor,” plaques recognizing the events and participants in Coliseum history, including a full list of 1932 and 1984 Olympic gold medalists that now decorate the travertine tiled walls. Click here for the complete roster of honorees.

During the 1920s there were no other cities that were financially able to bid for hosting the 1932 Games due to the long and overwhelming economic downturn of the Great Depression. Many nations and athletes were unable to pay for the trip to the remote location of Los Angeles. But, it was indeed, Los Angeles who successfully hosted the Games and originated many successful firsts of influential endeavors. Los Angeles handled its finances successfully and inspired an encouraging awe that reassured the world of future Olympic Games to come.

For the first time in the Olympics’ history an Olympic Village was built in Baldwin Hills for more than 550 two-bedroom portable bungalows, covering 321 acres. Providing athlete housing became the model for all future Olympic Games. There were 1,836 male athletes staying at the Village and 126 female athletes at the luxurious Chapman Park Hotel on Wilshire Boulevard, located directly across the street from the former Brown Derby restaurant and the Ambassador Hotel. The men’s housing was “a group of several hundred houses, a 1200-foot-long dining hall and a large administration building,” as reported by the Games Popular Science Monthly on the Olympic Village plans that also included a post office, library, hospital, dental laboratory, theater, over 40 dining commissaries, a radio station and many other amenities for both men and women athletes.

Fifteen sports venues were used, most of which were existing locations due to the high costs of construction and building materials. The venues included two golf courses, two city parks, three public highways, and a city road. The Swimming Stadium was the only new venue constructed for these games and was built at first as a temporary venue but was then converted into a permanent indoor community pool. The Games also featured the first use of uniform automatic timing and photo-finish photography. It was also the first time a victory podium was used for awarding the gold, silver and bronze medals. American football and lacrosse were held but were not awarded medals as they were demonstration games. The peristyle was outfitted with the first mechanical scoreboard on which was displayed a quote by the founder of the modern games, Baron Pierre de Coubertin: “The important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning, but taking part. The essential thing is not conquering, but fighting well.”

Hollywood royalty was front and present, volunteering their time for promoting the Games. Such celebrities included Douglas Fairbanks, Charlie Chaplin, Marlene Dietrich, and Mary Pickford. Ticket sales were said to have picked up even more as the stars were favorites of the American public. U.S. organizers of the Games tried to get President Herbert Hoover and his wife Lou Hoover to kick off the ceremonies since they both went to Stanford, and the First Lady grew up in Whittier. Both could not attend because the President wanted to focus on his re-election. Instead, Vice President Charles Curtis read a message at the Games which turned out to be a roaring success. As for President Hoover, he lost all victories from the state of California, as well as the 1932 election.

The United States won more of each medal than any other country for 41 golds, 32 silvers and 30 bronzes for a total of 103 medals in all. One of the medal winners of the Games was Babe Didrikson who won five events at the U.S. Olympic trials. The 1932 Olympic rules only allowed women to compete in no more than three events. Babe came in with the gold twice and once for the silver: the 80-meter hurdles, javelin and high jump. American women dominated in swimming, taking four of five gold medals. Swimmer Helene Madison won three gold medals in the 100 and 400 meter freestyle races and earned a third gold as part of the U.S. relay team. The first race-walk event was also a first to be held at the Games and was won by Eddie Tolan for the 100 and 200 meter runs.

Fifty-two years later the 1984 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIII Olympiad, was the second grand occasion that Los Angeles hosted the Games, and just like the first 1932 Olympic Games, it was successfully managed for the games, athletes and financially. In 1984, the State of California and the United States Government declared the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum a State and Federal Historical Landmark for its contribution to the history of California, as well as to that of the United States as a whole.

Happy 83rd Anniversary of the 1932 Summer Olympic Games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. All the very best to the greatest stadium in the world for many more years, and Olympic Games, to come

Special Olympics World Games poised to be ‘most inspirational event ever’
Scott Gleeson, USA TODAY Sports 9:41 a.m. EDT July 23, 2015

Photo Above: LA2015 CEO and President Patrick McClenahan shaking hands with former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa at the 100 Days Away milestone. (Photo: Cory Hansen for Special Olympics)

LOS ANGELES — When the late Eunice Kennedy Shriver founded the Special Olympics in 1968, she believed people with intellectual disabilities could change the world if given the proper stage.

This summer, another huge step toward that mission will be realized as the Special Olympics, now the world’s largest sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities, is poised to inspire a mass audience on its most far-reaching stage.

In a city powered by Hollywood stars, Special Olympians will take center stage Saturday through August 2. The World Summer Games, held every four years, will be the largest event in Los Angeles since the 1984 Olympic Games and one of the largest sports-and-humanitarian events anywhere in the world. Nearly 7,000 athletes and 3,000 coaches, representing 177 countries, will compete in 25 Olympic-style sports at venues throughout the Los Angeles region, including those on UCLA and USC’s campuses, downtown Los Angeles and water events in Long Beach.

“This will be the most inspirational event ever. That’s how big we’re shooting,” said Los Angeles World Games President and CEO Patrick McClenahan. “The fact that the World Games are back in the United States for the first time in 16 years is big, but the fact that it’s coming back to such a major market is even bigger. There’s no greater global stage than Los Angeles to create the awareness of acceptance and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities.”

ESPN will provide live coverage of the Opening Ceremony along with nightly highlight reels.

“When people come in contact with our athletes or see our athletes perform, their perceptions change drastically,” McClenahan said. “The greatest thing we can do for those with intellectual disabilities is to change the hearts and minds of people without intellectual disabilities so that kids befriend them in school, employers realize their great value and hire them for jobs — those real life changing things.”

The Opening Ceremony at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum will feature musical performances by Stevie Wonder, Avril Lavigne, Nicole Scherzinger, O.A.R. and Cody Simpson, while the Closing Ceremony will be headlined by Carly Rae Jepsen. Appearances are scheduled from Jimmy Kimmel, Michael Phelps, and Yao Ming, among others.

First Lady Michelle Obama is expected to be in attendance to help celebrate the commencement of the Games.

“We have a lot to really present that wow factor, something to set the tone of the games,” said Mark Poncher, executive producer of 5 Currents, an organization that has helped put on 12 Olympic ceremonies, including the Opening Games at the Sochi and London Olympics. “Most of the musical artists are performing original songs for the Games. But we also try to show that this is about the athletes and why we’re here. It’s all about bringing the athletes, coaches, volunteers — everyone in LA and everyone watching on ESPN a memorable show.”

The World Summer Games began in 1975 and remained in the U.S. until 1999. The Special Olympics, which also offers Winter Games, provides a rare form of camaraderie that gives athletes a safe haven to thrive and develop their personal identity.

“As an athlete, it’s such a fun environment at the Special Olympics,” said Kimberly Jasmine Guillen, a 16-year old Special Olympics Global Messenger who goes by the nickname “Kimpossible.” Guillen has won 69 medals, competing in bowling and track and field. “I thought I was joining a team, but instead I realized that I joined a family. Every athlete is like a brother or sister to me. Ever since I joined Special Olympics, I never want to give up on anything.”

With five different flights of competition and athletes ranging from ages eight to 60-plus, there’s never a shortage of inspiring moments.

“Some athletes have a hard time finishing the 100-yard dash yet their effort and determination is incredibly moving,” McClenahan said. “Others you wonder what their disability might be because they’re a world-class athlete.”

Tickets for the Opening Ceremony are available for purchase at LA2015.org via Ticketmaster. Fans can follow coverage on Twitter & Instagram @LA2015.

All 25 Special Olympics Sports at the Los Angeles World Games:

1. Aquatics
2. Athletics
3. Badminton
4. Basketball
5. Beach Volleyball
6. Bocce
7. Bowling
8. Cycling
9. Equestrian
10. Football (Soccer)
11. Golf
12. Gymnastics
13. Half Marathon
14. Handball
15. Judo
16. Kayaking
17. Open Water Swimming
18. Powerlifting
19. Roller Skating
20. Sailing
21. Softball
22. Table Tennis
23. Tennis
24. Triathlon
25. Volleyball

FAN FIESTA
At the East Side of the Sports Arena
Admission for Fan Fiesta is Free!

Tickets for the NABF Super Lightweight Title Fight
Are Available at Ticketmaster – On Sale Now!

The Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena opened its doors to the public in 1959 to host its first event featuring the bantamweight boxing title match between Mexico’s Jose Becerra and France’s Alphonse Halimi.

Jose Becerra (born April 15, 1936 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico) is a retired Mexican boxer who won the World Bantamweight Championship on July 8, 1959 in front of 15,110 spectators at the Sports Arena. In the eighth round Becerra delivered a left hook followed by a right that dropped bantamweight champion Halimi for the full count.

July 8, 2015 celebrates the Sports Arena’s 56 years of legendary entertainment and athletic competition. We take pleasure in remembering its first of many successful events with this action-packed and exciting profile on the World Bantamweight Champion, Jose Becerra, by Dan Cuoco:

JOSE BECERRA by Dan Cuoco

The Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, which opened in 1959, has been a privileged part of the City’s athletic, community and pop history for almost six decades. Built as Los Angeles’ first convention center, it was opened by then Vice President of the United States Richard Nixon and a year later hosted the 1960 Democratic National Convention where John F. Kennedy was chosen by his party to run for the presidency. The next 56 years saw the likes of Cassius Clay knock out Archie Moore and the UCLA Bruins win their first championship under John Wooden. The Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers (of the NBA), Kings (NHL), USC Trojans and UCLA Bruins (NCAA), Stars (ABA) and Sharks (WHL) all called the Arena home at various times and the building hosted the 1984 Summer Olympic boxing competition and two NCAA Final Four Championships. For years local residents enjoyed annual productions from Disney On Ice, Ringling Brothers Circus, WWF Wrestling and the Sunkist Invitational Track Meet. Whether it was AC/DC, U2, Michael Jackson, Pink Floyd, Madonna, Green Day, Los Bukis, Vicente Fernandez, Daft Punk or Bruce Springsteen, rock ‘n roll and other styles practically blew the roof off of the place with electrifying and memorable performances.

But change and opportunity are inevitable in a day, an age, and an industry that must reinvent itself. The University of Southern California, managing the Sports Arena on behalf of the Coliseum Commission, has entered into negotiations with the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) to have LAFC build a modern, 22,000 seat, state-of-the-art soccer stadium on the Arena site, as the future home of a Major League Soccer franchise.

For more information regarding the LAFC plans for a future soccer stadium, please click on the following link:

Los Angeles Football Club Press Release

In light of the current negotiations, the Sports Arena is currently taking booking inquiries only through February 2016; as the process for developing the LAFC soccer stadium plays out, we will update this date accordingly.

 

January 16, 2015

Super Bowl I was played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on January 15, 1967. ESPN Films will present “Keepers of the Streak” premiering Friday, Jan. 23, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. This special one-hour documentary, directed by legendary sports photographer Neil Leifer, will chronicle the journey of veteran photographers John Biever, Walter Iooss, Mickey Palmer and Tony Tomsic, who have captured all Super Bowls for almost 50 years. Click Here to see a video clip. The documentary will re-air on Saturday, Jan. 24, at 12 p.m. ET on ABC.

Veteran photographers Tony Tomsic, Walter Iooss, Mickey Palmer and John Biever in the stands at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. ESPN Films and NFL Films will present “Keepers of the Streak” showcasing four photographers who have taken pictures at all 48 Super Bowl games.

For more info on these four Super Bowl photographers:
Sports Illustrated: Through The Lens: 4 photographers who have shot every Super Bowl.