Just about anybody who knows me, or really, within a short period of time, within minutes of meeting me, most know that one of my passions is USC football. Some assume it is because I am from Southern California and am the typical local sports fan. Others, during SC's most recent successes, believe I am a band wagoner and have only recently become a fan. I always proudly explain that I have been a fan of the Trojans since 1984 and it is because of Jim McAlpin.
Jim McAlpin, to me, is the original Man of Troy. I can honestly say that I don't think USC was even a blip on my radar before Jim. Jim was among many other things, a disabled person and a die hard Trojan fan and I have thanked God for that many times! As I reflect back, I couldn't tell you what his disability was or what caused it. Initially, that makes me sad that I didn't get to know him better, but really, that says so much about who he is. I don't recall him ever being bitter or upset about it, but rather he made his disability his and he owned it. If it was ever his identifying trait, it was only because he made it a positive one.
Being a disabled Trojan fan poses a unique problem on game day. The Trojans play in the outdated and dilapidated Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. A true sight to behold on game day, however, it is not what one would call, "ADA Friendly". There are no elevators or escalators, or at least there were not back when I remember. Jim was a season ticket holder and could not alone navigate the long uphill corridor ramps to the wheelchair seating half way up the coliseum seating. This was quickly turned from a negative to a positive when he asked one young man in the ward to assist him by attending the game with him and helping push him up the ramp. I was that lucky kid and it changed my life.
The fanfare surrounding USC football games is simply AWESOME! The tradition, the historic Coliseum, the Olympic torch, the national title banners, the PAC conference title banners, the Rose Bowl banners, The Spirit of Troy Marching Band playing "Conquest" and "Fanfare", Traveler running around the perimeter, the Song Leaders, The Cardinal and Gold, the "V", the fans and the football. It left quite the indelible mark on this impressionable 14 year old boys mind. A mark that would never be erased. A mark that instantly planted itself in my soul and continues to grow to this day.
Blessing or curse, this is a result of one man, who to me embodies all the great things about USC. I wish I knew him better. Really, other than the occasional service project to attend to his lawn or the cheerful greetings at church, I don't really know him. I am sure he was a great man in many ways, but regretfully I did not learn first hand. He was always friendly to me and appreciative for the help on game day when I was lucky enough to go, but I always had the feeling that it was less about him needing my help and more about him sharing something he loved.
And he loved USC football. From his tricked out elevator van painted Cardinal and Gold to his personalized license plate that read "DP4USC" (Disabled Person for USC). From his Cardinal colored wheelchair to his USC watch that he showed me proudly. He bled the color of champions. To me, what I knew of him, he embodied excellence. Good or bad, he is to blame for this passion of mine and I will be forever grateful. Two days ago, he passed from this life and as one person put it, "I am certain he RAN into the arms of his Savior. If God is not a Trojan fan already, and I'm pretty sure he is, with Jim there, he will be soon.
Fight On, Bro. McAlpin. SC4LIFE!
(Photo stolen from Valerie McAlpin Huebsch...sorry, Valerie)
