Fight On To Return the Coliseum to Its Glory Days

by Gary Toebben

In 1984, the eyes of the world were watching as Rafer Johnson, decathlon gold medal winner of the 1960 Summer Olympics, made the dramatic climb up the stairs of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to light the torch signifying the start of the XXIII Olympiad. That flame still burns today above the peristyle and reminds us that the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is an icon — representing Angelenos and the best athletes the world has to offer.

The 1984 Olympics will always represent an important piece of Los Angeles history, but since that time the Coliseum has fallen into disrepair. Outdated and lacking the amenities of a modern sports venue, today’s Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is about more than Olympic history — it is also the home of USC Trojan Football.

Home field for Trojan football for more than 90 years, the Coliseum’s time to be restored to its former glory as a national historic landmark is long overdue, and the University of Southern California wants to do the job. The University has a keen interest in a refurbished stadium; and the school’s students, alumni and loyal fans provide a powerful incentive for USC to make the kind of capital improvements the iconic facility needs and deserves.

The University and its constituents aren’t the only beneficiaries of a refurbished Coliseum. The City of Los Angeles would also benefit, as a restored facility would help bring new luster to Exposition Park and its museums, benefiting community residents and visitors.

But can a private university be trusted to manage a public asset in the public's interest? Will the public's access be curtailed once the stadium is rebuilt?

The proposed lease agreement between USC and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Commission provides assurance that the public will have access to the stadium that currently does not exist. It sets aside eight days for non-commercial public events, three more than currently reserved for such events all the while doing what the government has been unable to – restoring this important landmark for future generations.

USC has a proven and unparalleled commitment to the community in which they reside and the general public. This kind of commitment bodes well for the contract being proposed. Since 2006, the University-owned Galen Center has hosted hundreds of public events such as high school graduations, community forums and academic decathlons.

This kind of commitment, uncompelled by legal pressure, demonstrates that USC will be a reliable and experienced guardian of the public’s interest in managing one of the Los Angeles’ most famous icons — a commitment deserving of our fanfare. 

And that's The Business Perspective.

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