Good morning! As official members of the Big Ten Conference, USC women’s basketball head coach Lindsay Gottlieb sits down to discuss the benefits of new competition and what it would do to the program.

What else can you find in today's edition of The Three Torches?

🏆️ Lincoln Riley added to Dodd Trophy watch list
🏐 Women of Troy bolster roster with new transfer
⚔️ And much, much more!

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 Among the Best. Entering his third year as the USC football head coach, Lincoln Riley was named to the preseason watch list for the Dodd Trophy. The award takes into account each program's Academic Progress Rate (APR), Graduation Success Rate (GSR), commitment to service and charity in the community, as well as projected success for the 2024 season.

Lincoln Riley is one of the nation's most successful coaches. He's had more success by the age of 40 than any other head coach in college football history. Riley has been a head coach for 7 seasons and has developed 3 of the last 7 Heisman Trophy winners.

📚️ Read more about Riley’s nomination

🔼 New Trojan Alert. USC women's volleyball team has signed transfer outside hitter and defensive specialist Grae Gosnell from Indiana ahead of the 2024 season. In four years at Indiana, Gosnell earned Academic All-Big Ten Selection three times (2021-23) and achieved consecutive CSC Academic All-District awards. Across four seasons, Gosnell played in 74 matches and appeared in 225 sets. She totaled 302 digs (1.34 dps), 45 kills, and 10 service aces.

🗣️ "She is a dynamic athlete and brings a competitive edge to the court with her. Grae brings a ton of experience, and we're confident she will make an immediate impact on our program this fall." - Brad Keller, head coach

🔼 Star Studded. Even in the summertime, USC baseball is playing at a high level. A pair of Trojans, Kevin Takeuchi and Mason Edwards earned West Coast League All-Star selections and will play in the league’s All-Star game next week.

USC is excited to offer exclusive ticket and hotel packages for the 2024 Vegas Kickoff Classic against LSU. Trojans fans can enjoy premium seats at Allegiant Stadium and top accommodations nearby. Join us in Las Vegas to support the team and experience an unforgettable start to the season. Book your package now and be part of the USC excitement! ✌️ Fight On!

🏈 COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF

52 days until kickoff, Trojan Nation!

Throughout the history of USC football, the Trojans have produced 524 NFL Draft picks dating back to 1937. USC’s 524 NFL Draftees are the most all-time by any university in the country. The first-ever Trojan drafted to a professional football team was tackle Gil Kuhn in round 10 to the Brooklyn Dodgers while the latest pick was wide receiver Tahj Washington in the seventh round to the Miami Dolphins.

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📅 LOOKING AHEAD

Saturday, August 10

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

Friday, August 30

🏐 Volleyball vs. Pepperdine @ 6:00pm in Malibu, CA

Sunday, September 1

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

⚔️ Click here to view the full USC Trojan Athletics Calendar

⚔️ Have a great Thursday, everyone!