Celebrating 50 Years of Trojan Spirit: The Trojan League of the South Bay

Posted on Posted onBy Melani Morose Edelstein

The Trojan League of the South Bay (TLSB) proudly celebrates its 50th anniversary, marking half a century of connecting USC alumni, nurturing future Trojans, and spreading USC pride across the South Bay. Founded in 1974 by a group of nine passionate alumni who first gathered at the Bel-Air Bay Club, TLSB has grown into a vital network that supports not only each other but also students, families, and the broader USC community.

Mary Beeson, Bonnie Luthi, and Patti Johnson, all TLSB members, welcome Amy D’Ambra and her daughter, Ellie, to the reception for recently-admitted USC students in 2014.
From the early eighties, Charter Members Jody Murdock, Madelyn Creighton, and L’Cena Rice pose at a luncheon and meeting for South Bay high school counselors. Murdock, Rice, and Creighton’s daughter Darilyn O’Brien, attended the recent 50th anniversary party in San Pedro.

Back in 1974, TLSB launched its first major event, the Forum, welcoming South Bay high school juniors and seniors to learn about USC life. As the event grew, so did its reach, opening doors for younger students and their families to explore USC’s academic programs, social opportunities, and financial aid options. 

By 1991, TLSB was hosting campus events at USC, offering students and parents an immersive experience with admissions workshops and meet-and-greets. TLSB also held special sessions for local high school counselors, equipping them to guide hundreds of students in making informed college choices.

TLSB’s commitment doesn’t stop at information sharing. In 1984, the League began fundraising for USC, supporting scholarships, campus projects, and library upgrades. In the 1990s, they launched an artful fundraising tradition, selling hand-painted ceramics crafted by Palos Verdes artist Lisa Van Nortwick. 

This successful initiative led to the creation of an endowment fund that, along with annual member contributions, still supports USC students from the South Bay. Just last year, TLSB awarded 19 scholarships, continuing their long tradition of making college more accessible for promising students.

Art Bartner, the recently-retired director of the Trojan Marching Band, provided the group with an original painting for the silent auction at their 50th anniversary celebration. Bartner, starting at USC one year before TLSB began, was the band director for 50 years.
This is the scoreboard of the USC vs. Notre Dame football game, held in the Coliseum, on November 30, 1974, just one month after Trojan League of South Bay began. This was the famous comeback game, in which USC was down 24-6, and ended up winning 55-24.

Beyond its service, TLSB keeps Trojan spirit alive through community activities, from themed gatherings and general meetings to the annual Alumni Day of Service, where members volunteer locally to give back to the South Bay. Current President Sylvia Mehl guides TLSB’s nearly 200 members in fostering a lifelong connection to USC and creating a legacy of dedication and pride.

“We’re thrilled to celebrate the past 50 years of TLSB,” says Patti Johnson, co-chair of the recent 50th celebration. “Our members have been making a difference for USC and in the South Bay for decades, and we look forward to continuing this legacy for many years to come.”As TLSB commemorates its golden anniversary, it honors five decades of Trojan pride, service, and scholarship. With a legacy that grows brighter each year, TLSB’s impact promises to extend far into the future, inspiring generations of Trojans to come.

From the late seventies, TLSB Charter Members Madelyn Creighton and L’Cena Rice chat with member Faye Pipkin at a social that included husbands.

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