Good morning! Today, on this Juneteenth holiday, we pause to remember, honor and celebrate freedom for all. Please enjoy today’s edition of The Three Torches on this special day.

What else can you find in today's Brew?

🏀 Gayles named Honda Inspiration Award winner
🏅 Trojan duo earns Tom Hansen Medal
⚔️ And much, much more!

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🔼 True Inspiration. USC women’s basketball’s Aaliyah Gayles has earned national honors as the winner of the Class of 2024 Honda Inspiration Award. A 2022 McDonald's All-American out of Las Vegas, Gayles was the victim of multiple gunshot wounds during her senior year of high school. Surgeries and setbacks following the life-threatening incident would not alter the comeback course she set for herself, however. Sidelined as a true freshman, she remained focused on her journey while also constantly supporting, encouraging and inspiring her teammates. 

🗣️ "It's a big moment for me to have come this far and to be recognized for my hard work and dedication…I want to say thank you to everyone for believing in me and my story, and for all the support and love I have received. Fight on!" - Aaliyah Gayles

🎥 Watch this short video on Gayles’ incredible journey

🔼 Best and Brightest. USC's Johnnie Blockburger and Claudia Shevitz join a powerful group of Pac-12 student-athletes named as 2023-24 Tom Hansen Medal winners. The award is given annually to each conference member’s outstanding senior male and female student-athlete based on the exhibition of the greatest combination of performance and achievement in scholarship, athletics and leadership.

👟 Blockburger is the third consecutive USC men’s track and field athlete to earn the award. He was named the Pac-12 Men’s Track Athlete of the Year, a two-time All-American and a USTFCCCA All-Academic selection.

🥍 Shevitz became the second lacrosse player to win the award, and the first since 2018. The Pac-12 Midfielder of the Year was named as one of 50 top college lacrosse players last season and collected numerous academic accolades.

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First Minutes. Honda Inspiration Award winner Aaliyah Gayles overcame all the odds, and after years of rehab, was able to check into the game as a Trojan for the first time.

Our question today: in which game did Gayles appear for the first time in a USC jersey?

Think you got it? Scroll down to the bottom of this email for the answer!

🏈 COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF

74 days until kickoff, Trojan Nation!

Ron Mix is regarded as one of the best to ever do it — as evidenced by his inductions into the USC Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame, and selection to the AFL All-Time Team. In 1959, No. 74 was named Co-Captain of the Trojans football team and ended the season with a USC Lineman Award and a First Team All-American nod. As a professional, Mix was drafted by both the NFL and AFL and played 142 games, mostly with the San Diego Chargers.

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📅 LOOKING AHEAD

*All times Pacific

Saturday, August 10

⚽️ Soccer vs. Long Beach State @ TBD in Carson, CA

Sunday, September 1

🏈 Football vs. LSU @ 4:30pm in Las Vegas, NV | Tickets

⚔️ Click here to view the full USC Trojan Athletics Calendar

🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: November 10, 2023!

On Nov. 10, 2023, Aaliyah Gayles checked in for her first minutes on-court against Florida Gulf Coast in a USC basketball uniform to a standing ovation — and tears — from her team, support staff and fans.

⚔️ Have a great Wednesday, everyone!