Newsletter #23

Hi Everyone,

Initially I wasn't quite up for a full newsletter, but instead planned on quickly sharing Monday’s memo sent by Interim President Kim. This was mostly for the benefit and awareness of our former and retired employees as they are largely disconnected from the USC day to day. My initial take- notwithstanding the recent heartache- most are grateful to see this message. It's been an exceptionally tough few months.

But in typical USC fashion, despite the good news that layoffs appear largely complete, somehow a way was still found to re-traumatize folks.  Now, I'm someone who frequently enjoys putting his foot in his own mouth so normally I'd cut them some slack, but even I was left scratching my head at how this line made the cut.

“Beginning next year, we are also ending a discretionary payroll practice benefitting many of the highest compensated members of our community, resulting in additional savings for the university.”

I know the best intentions are there, but my goodness if some things are just better left unsaid. I commented that this was like telling an unsuspecting partner “you should be proud of me, because I've decided I'm going to stop cheating on you. Perhaps I'll do this sometime next year.” 

But I should also give credit where credit is due. While that specific wording is both aggravating and triggering- and I'm sure this discretionary handout is both bountiful and simultaneously exclusive- these are the types of cuts that needed to be made. Perhaps, I could argue, they should have been the FIRST to be made. Perhaps, as a suggestion, BEFORE our hard earned, vested tuition benefits were cancelled and then just partially reinstated. Perhaps, as a suggestion, BEFORE LAYOFFS. But if it wasn't abundantly clear before, the only thing more important than our kid's degrees, or even our general financial livelihood via employment is…discretionary payroll practices that benefit the highest earners. Contractual or not, this is the literal prioritization of the long term future of the highest earners over the short term future of the masses. FFS!

Initially, I was going to go out on a limb and say it was the Housing loans, but thanks to the tenacity of our friend at the Morning, Trojan, it appears that it may be a retirement match program for those making more than the allowable IRS contribution limits. So it appears they get paid the “matching overage” in cash. Because of course they do. “We had to make some tough choices” indeed.

Aside from the community email, what also gave me some hope last week was an interaction I had in a Department meeting which President Kim attended. During a Q&A session, I had the opportunity to ask him about the still remaining cuts to TAB, specifically graduate degrees and the age cap. And as I have witnessed in every interaction to date, he was genuine, considerate, and reflective. He committed to “taking a look at that”. He also admitted that “it would have to come from somewhere”. I understand this, and I agree completely. Perhaps we have now found exactly where the money to restore our kids' future in full should come from. Just saying.

So, as I mentioned, what started out as a plan to share the communication on Monday with some quick thoughts turned into a lot of feelings and even more words- as I’m apt to do- and has now morphed into a Newsletter. It's fitting that it's #23, my lucky number. It’s my birthday (in April, I like gift cards) and the number I wore in sports. For the most part, it has felt like a slightly luckier week than the first 44 of 2025. For the most part.

Our dog Luna- one of our 7 pets 🙄- who has escaped mention in the Newsletter about as many times as she has escaped our back yard, has finally been contained after we discovered the TREE she was climbing to get on top of a fountain and Houdini onto the hill behind our patio. The mystery was solved by my daughter who observed rustling branches late one afternoon. Seconds later, there she was, running across the top of the hill. She had been mysteriously escaping for the past few weeks. This was after spending a few thousands dollars on some new fencing to contain her back in the Spring. Back then, she was using her muzzle to bore a hole just large enough to squeeze through in some wire fencing. The kids keep asking “Why does Luna want to run away from us?”

As for the two human animals in our house, the boy is better, having played two consecutive soccer games and not having missed a practice. He's still hobbling a bit, but no lingering symptoms from his concussion. My daughter has yet another sprained wrist. This one is bad, though she fought through it, finishing the second half in goal with a shutout. During her game we commented from the sidelines that she seemed to be injured. She played most of the game with a limp arm gingerly held at her side. But she proceeded to make two great saves when called upon. One headed for the top right corner that she pushed over the crossbar. Another was headed for the top left corner which she jumped and batted down with both hands, collected, and did a one arm punt. We figured it was minor, but after the final whistle she walked off the field in tears, cradling her arm.

My wife and I quickly agreed that it wasn't a “wait and see” type injury. She was pretty distraught and clearly in pain. I had a hockey game to coach that started in under an hour, so we raced home, swapped cars, and I got the boy dressed in ice-rink appropriate clothes and made the obligatory hot chocolate thermos and snack bag. He and I rushed out the door, literally counting seconds, hoping that we would get there just in time for the puck drop. My wife readied my daughter and herself, including her study materials and laptop, for an evening spent at Urgent Care. 

The USC Women's team was playing LMU, in only their second game against another college in the 10+ years I've been coaching them. I knew it was going to be tight, but as we exited the freeway, I texted my assistant coach from a stoplight that I should be there in under 5 minutes. We had made it. I parked, grabbed my puck bag and the white board, hurried my son out of the car, and rushed into the rink. On the ice were two figure skaters. I was at the wrong rink. Hop back in the car, another 40 minute drive, this time from Anaheim to Bay Harbor- fortunately Game 7 of the World Series was on- and I made it with about 5 minutes left in the first period. 

Without giving you the full play by play, it was a fun atmosphere. LMU made it feel like an official college hockey game. They probably had 30+ fans, a scorekeeper, two refs, a DJ. Apparently they did the National Anthem, and a ceremonial puck drop. We lost 5-3. I wish I had been there for the pageantry, and the pre-game speech, but I was just pleased to be a part of it in any capacity.

This team has been a special part of my USC journey. Completely unplanned, it's something I fell into through a beer league hockey teammate who was an alumni and the goalie coach, who through casual conversation found out that I worked at USC. I was allowed to skate with the team as guest and then assistant coach, and I have been there ever since. I took over as head coach about 6 years ago when the head coach moved up to coach the USC Men's team. It's something that provides a deep sense of fulfilment and joy. And while it’s unique in some ways, it really just mirrors what all of us do every day. Our time, given to fellow Trojans- often amongst the backdrop of our crazy personal lives- helping them find their passions, learn new skills and hobbies, and guiding them as they grow as young adults. Instilling and sharing our skills and passions with the next generation, and watching them excitedly and proudly carry them forward. This is the same dream we have- and worked for- for TAB and our kids. A sacrifice willingly given in order to pass on our passion for USC to the next generation, done so to benefit them more than it ever would us. 

And so, still betrayed, but perhaps just slightly more optimistic this week than last, still giving ourselves every day to current and future members of the Trojan Family, we Fight On.

We are 411 strong.

It’s a pretty short list this week. Only 8 links, and mostly repeat hits, but here goes…

Table of Contents

• Surveys and Open Docs

• Connecting on Social Media

Surveys and Open Docs

Putting out a last call on a few, and some others that will stay open indefinitely.

Tab in Retrospect (Last Call) - Your thoughts on TAB, looking back. Now that we have a memo signifying layoffs are done, I’ll review these and we will start posting again. We have 20 responses. It would be great to see a few more. Share your thoughts on what TAB meant/means to you.

Thoughts and Questions (Last Call) - My biggest (survey) failure to date. Not because we have only 7 responses, but because it generated responses that weren’t well aligned with our mission. If you’re still feeling upset, that’s understandable. Think of this like a proverbial punching bag…and let it all out.

Storytelling - I’m considering making a video of my story to start this off. I’m not exactly thrilled about this, because I know some of your stories are WAY better than mine. But my next thought after that is doing some short-form podcast style interviews. Still open to any ideas, and looking for some volunteers. The time is approaching. I hope we have at least few that will come forward to tell their story.

Feelings v2.0 - It’s great to see the recent additions. Thanks for your input. I’ll keep this space open indefinitely. Add your thoughts, or take a look at other’s. That’s the fun part for me.

Connecting on Social Media

Instagram - Be ready for our return to IG. Follow us and take a look back at some prior posts and give us a like. https://www.instagram.com/my15atusc/

Discord - New link, good for 7 days. https://discord.gg/nd3k2hkk. I don’t check in very often, but it’s been a good space for the occasional update. Maybe we’ll have our Holiday Party there…

Facebook - I haven’t put much time or effort into Facebook, but it’s there if you are. Maybe we can get our IG/Facebook connection automated. Follow us there if you aren’t already. https://www.facebook.com/people/My-15-at-USC/61568475571683/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@My15atUSC - Again, not much more than the 3 videos, but feel free to take a look back, and subscribe so you’ll get the next video, whenever that may be.

Now that there is specific mention of “the light at the end of this tunnel”, it’s time to bring our stories forward. As I’ve shared all along, I won’t ever consider this “settled business” until TAB is restored in full, based on the terms we were hired under. What we worked for, and planned our lives around, I expect them to honor. The Unifying Values of Excellence, Integrity, and Community demand it. And for those that were turned away and have now missed out, you deserve, at the very least, acknowledgement and an apology.

As always, reach out with any thoughts, ideas, or feedback on how we can get there together.

Phil

[email protected]