Dear USC seniors,

Thank you for playing hard this season.  You've overcome incredible odds, fought difficult circumstances, and have not given up.  This is an open letter to you.

Your careers probably haven't gone quite the way you expected.  You joined an incredible dynasty only to watch the coach who recruited you leave, the program receive incredibly harsh penalties for something you didn't do, and don't even have the promise of a bowl game to look forward to.

And yet you're still here.  The NCAA gave you the opportunity to walk away, to find greener pastures.  You chose to stay.  You chose to remain a Trojan.  You fought on, you fought hard, and you didn't quit.

You have one game left in your college career.  No matter how that game goes, and no matter what you do after that game, you will always be a Trojan..  Although you (and we) may not realize it now, in time, people will come to realize what you sacrificed, and what you went through.  Your career had ups and downs, but no matter what, you will always be a Trojan, and will always be a member of the Trojan Family.

Fight on USC class of 2010.  You deserved far better than you got, but you kept your heads high. I hope you can go out undefeated against your crosstown rival. Regardless of that result, never let anyone question your integrity, or your commitment to our program.

Sincerely,

Nathan Tiras

Class of '09