Pictured: Len Gabrielson
Pictured: Cole and Randy Gabrielson
We caught up with a USC baseball legacy family – the Gabrielsons. Len played for the Trojans before going on to the majors from 1960 to 1970, ending his career with the LA Dodgers. His son, Randy, was a USC centerfielder during the 80s, and Randy's son, Cole, is currently on the baseball roster as an outfielder. Here's how three generations feel about being part of the Trojan Family:
Q: Randy, as a former USC baseball player, how did you feel when you heard that Cole was going to USC?
Randy: Cole always wanted to go to SC; it was his number one choice. When we were young with him, I took him down baseball field he bought a baseball jersey. When the opportunity came, I couldn't believe it. It's been a lot of fun.
Q: Cole, you'll be playing in the spring?
Cole: Yes, it is so exciting. I was able to play the last six games this season. So it was nice to get a taste of the jersey on. And I got my dad's number, 26, which is special.
Q: Len, as Randy's dad and Cole's grandfather, tell me how you would describe USC?
Len: USC is a quality academic and social forum that offers students a platform for future opportunities and success. The experience I had was that the University was truly interested in the students and genuinely interested in both academic achievement and athletics. It has served the Gabrielson family well.
Q: Randy and Cole, how would you describe USC in one sentence?
Randy: I'm so impressed with how today the University holistically cares for the athletes. Suppose they need mental health, physical training, fitness, or dietary advice. They make sure that these kids walk out a better version of themselves—no question about it.
Cole: USC is a school where there are a lot of very, very successful people. And I think part of the social aspect of USC is understanding that you're going to meet people and make friends outside of your sports teams that will go on and be venture capitalists or investment bankers. Those connections can only help down the road.
Q: What life lessons did you take from your time at USC?
Len: There's an old axiom: the harder you work, the luckier you get. There's a lot of truth in that. But it doesn't always work out that way. The hard work you put in often doesn't deliver the results you hope or anticipate. That teaches you humility. It teaches you perseverance. And some of those values sustain you going forward in your life.
Randy: I have been in commercial real estate in the Bay Area for over 30 years and have hired many former athletes. They are not afraid of hard work. They're not afraid to work long hours. They are coachable. And they have a desire to get better. The biggest thing is that they don't get too high in the good times and don't get too low in the downtime. Because we've been coached that way. I was, and dad was, and Cole is now. USC instills these qualities in athletes, which helps them on the field and starting a career as they leave college athletics.
Randy: I agree there is something about athletes - when they walk in the room, they have a presence. I've interviewed a bunch of guys that went to Stanford and Cal, and I knew they were smart, no question about it. But they couldn't carry on a conversation.
Q: What would you give one piece of advice to the current student-athletes?
Len: Make sure that your tenure at USC is productive academically and on the baseball or football fields. The degree that you get from the University will serve you forever.
Randy: I think it's really important that you enjoy the journey. Enjoy the journey, not just athletically but academically. No one loves to go to class. No one loves to write papers. But you're working towards success. You're working towards getting a degree that will help open doors for you. Enjoy the successes. Enjoy the failures because that makes you appreciate the successes. Enjoy every friendship and play every game like it's your last.
Cole: My perspective is that I don't have to be at practice. I don't have to be at 6:00 am weights. I don't have to be in class. I get to do those things. There are so many resources available as a student-athlete at USC that I can't help but feel privileged and grateful to be at a place like this.
Len: The wonderful thing about USC is the Trojan family. It means something. I'm proud to say I'm a Trojan. It's a lifelong experience.