How USC Could Improve the L.A. Coliseum Once They Gain Day-to-Day Control

As much as Trojan fans would hate to admit, there are days when they are jealous of the Rose Bowl.

As unique and historic as the L.A. Memorial Coliseum is, there is no question the commission has failed to bring in the financial assets necessary for improvement.

Now that better times are on the horizon for stadium, which includes $70 million worth of renovations, one can only imagine what it might look like once USC’s donors get their hands on it.

Since most of us could only dream of having that sort of influence (or income), here are few suggestions for Pat Haden from the 99 percent.

Renovate the Press Box

This is obviously a self-serving suggestion. The current press box isn’t falling apart, but it could use a fresh coat of paint, some color and a disguise that makes it looks like it was built in the last few years (instead of the last few decades).

USC should make it as state-of-the-art as possible. The networks should want to come to USC. The cameramen should be begging for the gig because of space and technology the Trojans provide.

Add Luxury Boxes 

Let’s be honest. You need to entertain people who will donate to your athletic program. You want your exceedingly well-off NFL alumni to come back and be treated well for what they did for the program then and now.

You need real luxury boxes.

But without a doubt, this needs to be done by expanding the press box. If you have been in the press box, then you know the view is undoubtedly one of the best in college football. To cover up the picturesque scene of the Hollywood sign and the L.A. skyline looking down on the historic field would be a darn shame.

Renovate the Private and Public Restrooms

If you have been to the Coliseum as a fan, then you that the bathroom facilities are fairly bare. They have toilet paper and a place to wash your hands, but that's about it. It isn’t quite port-a-potty-at-a-rest-stop-in-the-middle-of-nowhere gross, but it leaves a lot to be desired.

The private restroom in the tunnel of the Coliseum that much of the athletic staff and spirit organizations use is worse. There are only three stalls and because they aren’t monitored as closely as the public restrooms, there is often at least one stall out of paper and not a single paper towel in sight. You feel a tad grimy after leaving.

And if you ever had the, um, privilege, of using the restrooms as the Rose Bowl during a game, you that this isn’t par for the course in college football.

The moral of the story is that both sets of restrooms could use some major improvement.

Ditch the Sun Deck

For those who are confused, the sun deck is the set of temporary stands set up in every football season. They are unstable, directly in the sun during afternoon games and not exactly necessary.

Have you ever noticed that the seats at the very top near the top are never filled? And that the sun deck itself empties out halfway through the game when students leave to nurse their sunburns?

The problem with the sundeck is that it also separates the half the students and the USC Marching Band into the end zone. The thing that separates college ball from the pros is the tradition and spirit that each alma mater brings to the game. That is hard to achieve when you are splitting up the students and stuffing the band in corner.

If they are that worried about losing seating, then they can make the jerseys of the Heisman Winners a hair smaller and put in a few extra seats.

But put the students and the band back together and then you can put the field actually in the center of the stadium. It would be very aesthetically pleasing.