University of Southern California - El Rodeo Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

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Seventies Close Amid Controversies Spirit Squad Torn Between Old And New Good times, bad times, and in-between times. The 1978-79 school year was marked by many changes.As the university ' s first centennial birthday rolled into view, many people decided that certain factions of the universi- ty needed a face lift. U.S.C. song girls and yell leaders have long been re- garded as number one in the country. But in the spring of ' 78, students became restless with the same old routines. Many other school ' s pep squads were incorporating gym- nastics into their acts, and their fans were responding. Top: John Pentz; Row II; Mark O ' Connor, Bill Barnett; Bottom Row: Scott Anderson, Chuck Williams, John Flynn, Robb Grant. The fact that the U.S.C. squad had very definite roles discouraged interaction between the two groups. The song girls danced and the yell leaders yelled. The specta- tors wanted to see some new, fresh ideas; and, after their discontent was revealed, the squad responded. At the Washington game, as the band struck up a tune, the fans saw the yell leaders and song girls go through a dance number together. The response equalled that of a 98 yard touchdown, with the point after being a yell leader pyra- mid. 16