Exposition Park, where USC plays, isn't really near Watts. It's just south of Downtown which is having a long overdue reawakening. Though that is uneven and some parts, like Skid Row, are post-apocalyptic.
Certainly reasonable people can disagree about what they consider "safe," but the USC area of Los Angeles isn't crime ridden like people would have you believe. You can go a half mile in certain directions and there's some bad places, but a lot of LA is like that. Pasadena is very nice but there's some rough parts just north of it. Santa Monica and Venice... same thing.
If the immediate neighborhood is a deal breaker, and it is for some, you're better off in Westwood at UCLA. But that area is booooorrrrrring. ;)
When I moved to California, I was shocked to find out that Kings Dons were called (and marketed) as Ding Dongs** out here. Losing an embarrassing bet made it even worse.
I guess I don't mind him looking around to be sure about his decision. If that cuts both ways, I have faith Harbaugh will hold the ones he wants and take from other programs more often than the opposite situation.
You're still just talking out of your ass about a place you don't know. Maybe you just don't like "the SoCal bullshit." You wouldn't be the first one. There are millions of people who disagree with you, sounds like your family included.
Sorry, you are wrong, that info is old. Things move fast here. Do your homework.
A place can be crime ridden for decades, then gentrify in a few years. I'm guessing you don't live out here or you would know that. So it doesn't mean much that that area was rotten in the 70's and 80's.
So your anecdotes are meaningless to me. If you want to quote crime stats, or show me there is no redevelopment money going into the area. Things like that. I'll listen. Otherwise you are just spoutiong off about an area you know nothign about.
None of those options are wrong. All great areas, and to each his own. I was mostly looking at this through the eyes of the kids coming to school here. I just moved my Ad Agency downtown and all the "kids" in the office are really fired up because the area is hot, has transit, is centrally located etc. I don't think the "USC is in the ghetto" line holds as much weight as it used to.
That info is three years old. That's one the hottest area in LA and things are changing fast. Criticism that USC is in the ghetto is going to die soon, and then the area and it proximity to downtown and a train that takes you to the beach in 25 min is going to be a SELLING POINT.
http://m.la.curbed.com/archives/2016/01/los_angeles_west_adams_neighbor…
I not entirely disagreeing with you, but things change fast and that area is one of the hottest. That criticism of USC is going out the window, and with the changes downtown, it's going to become another selling point for USC. If someone doesn't feel comfortable now, well then they put in a new light rail that takes you either to downtown (hottest part of town) or Culver City/West LA/Santa Monica in less time than it takes to ride a bus to North Campus.
First of all, downtown is where most of the action is going, it IS one if the better parts of LA now. There's a mix of price affordability all around that area. If you're a tourist who wants to dip their toes in the ocean every day, sure, the beach is the place to be. But that can get boring after a while if you live here, at least it did for me.
I'm digressing, but my point is this: the line people throw out about USC being surrounded by a shit hole is outdated info — or downright geographically incorrect (Beverly Hiils and Bel Air are closer than Watts or Compton). South LA is huge, and the areas around USC just got voted as the next big area for gentrification, those areas are getting way better every year, and soon it will be irrelevant where USC is located. It will actually become another selling point. It will never be surrounded by the area UCLA is, but neither is UM, and frankly, downtown LA is way effing cooler than Westwood Village ever will be.
No idea if you graduated in 1997 and was looking around that time, but that part of LA has changed dramatically since then. Still not great, but not the hellhole is used to be. And that tend is continuing.
The terrible neighborhood criticism is only going to get weaker and weaker over time.
Many people don't know that the land that Pepperdine is on, overlooking the ocean in Malibu, was first offered to USC, and they said no and stayed put. Pepperdine, which was down in the same general area as USC, then was offered the land and they moved out there.
To be fair, the immediate area around USC isn't great, but it's not "surrounded by Watts or Compton". In fact, it's closer to Hollywood, Beverly Hills or Bel Air than it is to Compton.
Roving packs is a bit of an exaggeration, they did rob people around USC... and then those three kids went to beach areas and robbed people down there too. It's not just a USC thing. The area was really rough, but like anything close to a downtown (which is booming after 50 years of neglect), the area is starting to gentrify quickly.
If safety is a concern, there's a light rail train that goes straight through campus, that is two stops from downtown, which is full of brand new apartments complexes with awesome amenities and multi million dollar condos. While Gary family may not have that kind of money, many students families certainly do.
If you're curious, check out the website UrbanizeLA.
Add to that the fact that the second phase of that light rail will be opening in a few months and you will be able to get to the beach communities in less time that it takes to get to Central Campus from a bus on North Campus. Not a bad deal.
"But you won't prepare yourself for January playoff games in Minnesota, Rashan!"
They do an "Example Video" at the beginning of the season so players, coaches, refs and fans know what kind of play is called "targeting" (among other judgement calls).
I'd like to see a compilation of all the targeting call like hits Jake has taken that haven't been called or reversed.
If you think the only reason students transfer in is for athletics, that's only part of the reason. Academics are important as well. I know things have changed, but every single guy from my Brother Rice (1991) class went to college, except two, who went to the Marines.
If you think those kind of outcomes are important, and many parents do, then you understand why an education like that is a draw. Most kids, no matter how academically gifted, won't go D1, but they will go to college.... to sort of paraphrase an NCAA commercial,
You can't just skate by as a student if you're academically suspect. They push you, help you, fight for you. Everybody gives a damn. A great football team is a nice perk, but it's not the only reason to go.
It's also fair to mention the system was different in the late 80's and early 90's in ways I'm not as familiar with living in California now, but it's definitely more complex than just "football recruiting."
I spent the last two weeks in Brazil, and the English speaking Brazilians love it. They were co-opting it for their game against Cameroon, but slightly changed to "I believe Brasil will win!" Good times.
Honestly, I didn't love it at first, but hearing half the crowd cheer it in Natal was kinda awesome in person, screaming drunk or not.
I live in LA now. I love it. The weathers great, much better than when I lived in Michigan. Hard to argue with the weather. But, I don't play professional football.
If you want to be a pro, playing on Sundays in Green Bay, Chicago, Denver... this years Superbowl. You better learn to play in the cold. Don't hide it's cold in in November, sell that.
"Son, are you here to party and see pretty girls in sundresses, or do you want to leave here with all the tools and preparation to play in the NF fucking L?"
If you want to look at awesome photos, go look at the photo galleries. The photos make for an inelegant design and bad communication of the intent of the chart.
If you're just a fan "bad design," well then you have a point.
I think this is great, the internet keeps expanding the availability of content, which has the net impact of making the world smaller, which is fantastic for those of us who no longer live close to where we grew up.
I moved to Los Angeles after graduation from Michigan, but I still donate to both schools that put me on the road to success.
Go Blue, Go Warriors!
Brother Rice '91
Michigan '95
I was the son of a single mom who was a secretary, but tested well and they helped us find a way. I'd like to think I made the most of the opportunity... it sure as hell helped me get into Michigan, get a good education and meet a fine group of friends.
God only knows where I'd be today if it wasn't for them.
They were going to be seniors... So why not stay and get your UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN degree? If you still want playing time after that, you got a post grad year to try to change people's minds without waiting a year (that you're sitting anyway) or dropping the competition level.
Don't understand.
English soccer great George Best has an awesome quote that seems wholly appropriate:
"If I had to choose between dribbling past 5 players and scoring from 40 yards at Anfield or shagging Miss World, it'd be a hard choice. Thankfully, I've done both."
Literally, not figuratively.
Watching ESPNU and when the subject of Ole Miss came up, Chizik said, "Sometimes a great class just comes together."
I suppose he should know.
I hope he has a great season and moves on, not because I don't want him, but because that will help us with a steady stream of talent that sees us as a legitimate avenue to the NBA.
I'll take a wait-n-see approach until this time next year. By then, I'll see where the ship is turning and make up my initial hypothesis about where it's going. Two years from now, I will have my mind made up and I'll join either one of the two powerful camps. Keep vs. replace.
It reminds me of what Nike did during the Olympics when they found out the Egyptian National Team had fake Nike clothing. They happily gave them real Nike gear for free and reaped the positive PR.
They took a situation most people would roll their eyes at and turned into into a PR Gold Medal. Especially clever since they are not an official Olympic sponsor yet it got a ton of coverage. Genius.
Well played Dave Brandon.
I only post rarely, so remembering this sequence is unlikely. Am I the only one that thinks embedding could be easier? Like Facebook easy? Honest question.
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Went to Brother Rice with Steve Morrison and Gannon Dudlar.
I used to misuse that term for years, better just to say it asks the question.
Exposition Park, where USC plays, isn't really near Watts. It's just south of Downtown which is having a long overdue reawakening. Though that is uneven and some parts, like Skid Row, are post-apocalyptic.
Certainly reasonable people can disagree about what they consider "safe," but the USC area of Los Angeles isn't crime ridden like people would have you believe. You can go a half mile in certain directions and there's some bad places, but a lot of LA is like that. Pasadena is very nice but there's some rough parts just north of it. Santa Monica and Venice... same thing.
If the immediate neighborhood is a deal breaker, and it is for some, you're better off in Westwood at UCLA. But that area is booooorrrrrring. ;)
When I moved to California, I was shocked to find out that Kings Dons were called (and marketed) as Ding Dongs** out here. Losing an embarrassing bet made it even worse.
* She didn't say "heck"
** Other names regionally in the country
Sorry, you are wrong, that info is old. Things move fast here. Do your homework.
A place can be crime ridden for decades, then gentrify in a few years. I'm guessing you don't live out here or you would know that. So it doesn't mean much that that area was rotten in the 70's and 80's.
So your anecdotes are meaningless to me. If you want to quote crime stats, or show me there is no redevelopment money going into the area. Things like that. I'll listen. Otherwise you are just spoutiong off about an area you know nothign about.
Students take trains in LA. We are talking about Rashan Gary, right? Not your personal preference?
I'd like to see a compilation of all the targeting call like hits Jake has taken that haven't been called or reversed.
It's disgraceful.
I love that. Makes me feel special in the universe, likes it's all just a simulation, and I'm the star.
No such thing, it's a truth boo boo.
I'm noy going to read all eleventy brazillion message to see if this has already been mentioned, but it was on the front page of Al Jazeera.
Al. Jazeera.
I live in LA now. I love it. The weathers great, much better than when I lived in Michigan. Hard to argue with the weather. But, I don't play professional football.
If you want to be a pro, playing on Sundays in Green Bay, Chicago, Denver... this years Superbowl. You better learn to play in the cold. Don't hide it's cold in in November, sell that.
"Son, are you here to party and see pretty girls in sundresses, or do you want to leave here with all the tools and preparation to play in the NF fucking L?"
How many years does that trick have left?
If you want to look at awesome photos, go look at the photo galleries. The photos make for an inelegant design and bad communication of the intent of the chart.
If you're just a fan "bad design," well then you have a point.
Less eye bleeding.
I used to run marathons and do some pretty intense interval training. Sometimes I would push a little too much and puke on the track. No concussion.
Puking Does Not Always = Concussion
I hope he has a great season and moves on, not because I don't want him, but because that will help us with a steady stream of talent that sees us as a legitimate avenue to the NBA.
I rearranged my Thailand Christmas plans to include a return on the 1st for the Rose Bowl... Capital One Bowl, not so much.
Hadn't seent that. I'm sure glad Hoke isn't like that.
That's a lot of pressure, in a tough environment. Let's hope we don't get a bigger sample size, but I'm loathe to judge him on just this game.
Hopefully we have some plays in our pocket if this happens again and opposing defenses blitz everyone up the middle because they saw that game.
I'll take a wait-n-see approach until this time next year. By then, I'll see where the ship is turning and make up my initial hypothesis about where it's going. Two years from now, I will have my mind made up and I'll join either one of the two powerful camps. Keep vs. replace.
Otherwise you could have boosters "buying" those gold pants for $150,000. That's the problem the NCAA is trying to avoid.
Have all the football players join the art school, I'm sure they could sell every piece of experssionist artwork they can crank out...
I only post rarely, so remembering this sequence is unlikely. Am I the only one that thinks embedding could be easier? Like Facebook easy? Honest question.
This is probably what the MSU boards were saying about Kugler around this time last week.
Because I'd rather watch, or buy tickets, for any combination of those teams over more Creampuff U., or South Creampuff U.