About the Coliseum

The Coliseum is a rich part of both USC and Los Angeles history and tradition, and on February 1, the Coliseum Commission will meet to decicde the future of the stadium. USC has been a tenant for almost 90 years and the commission will be considering the University's master lease proposal. The master lease would enable USC to take on responsibility for necessary repair and renovation work that will move the faciltiy into the future.

 

Here's what ESPN reported about the negotiations, and below is the official word from Scott M. Mory, Esq. , Associate Senior Vice President and CEO, USC Alumni Association.

 

Dear Fellow Trojan: One of the most frequent questions I get when I am visiting with USC alumni and friends has to do with the status of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. As the Coliseum Commission is at a critical moment in deciding the future of this historical landmark we all treasure, I wanted to take this opportunity to bring you up to speed on where things stand. USC has been a tenant of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for close to 90 years. In recent years, the Coliseum Commission has been unable to fulfill its obligations under the current lease to make much-needed repairs to the aging facility. As such, USC is seeking to amend its lease. Under the proposed new lease agreement, USC would manage daily operations of the Coliseum, allow continued community access and make the necessary investments to repair and restore the historic stadium. This proposed modified lease is an opportunity to restore a historic gem that is part of the fabric of the city. USC is willing and able to take on the financial responsibility of improving the Coliseum for future generations of Angelenos and Californians. USC will remain a tenant, but with greater ability to make improvements for the benefit of all. USC has a proven track record of opening up its campus facilities to its surrounding neighbors, as well as the general public. Currently, the Coliseum only hosts a few public events a year. Under the proposed new lease, the number of public events would increase significantly. As a member of the Trojan Family, your support of the proposed amended lease for USC is crucial. Please take a moment to e-mail the Coliseum Commission and let them know that you support the amended lease. You can e-mail the Commission at comments@lacoliseum.com. A suggested message of support is: "I am a resident of California and proud alum of the University of Southern California. I am writing to express my support for a modified lease for USC that would allow the university to make the needed improvements to preserve the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for the community and region for generations to come." Please be sure to indicate your name and the city you live in in your e-mail. The Commission is meeting on February 1 to consider the proposed amended lease, so please submit your comment before then. If you have any questions about USC and the Coliseum, please contact David Galaviz, executive director of Local Government Relations. On behalf of all my colleagues at USC and the USC Alumni Association, thank you for your support. Fight On! Scott M. Mory, Esq. Associate Senior Vice President and CEO, USC Alumni Association