Billboard would set Trojan record straight

Some pictures are worth more than 1,000 words ““ especially
the one accompanying this column.

No, it’s not a real photo. But it easily can be in the
near future with some help.

The founders of onepeat.com are trying very hard to make it a
reality.

On their Web site, they are trying to raise at least $10,000 to
put up a billboard to dispel the notion of a proposed three-peat by
USC ““ but that’s not the best part about it. They want
to put up the billboard near the USC campus, by a high-traffic road
or highway.

The prospect of this should make every Bruin fan giddy. Just
imagine ““ every day, many USC alumni, students and fans would
drive by the billboard and have flashbacks of Vince Young running
all over the USC defense.

And believe it or not, the onepeat.com founders aren’t
UCLA fans. They aren’t chronic USC-haters, either.

They’re Louisiana State fans.

Those of you who aren’t serious college football fans are
probably wondering why an LSU fan would have an interest in making
fun of USC. It makes sense when you think about it.

Back in 2003, USC, LSU and Oklahoma all finished the regular
season with one loss. The Bowl Championship Series formula put LSU
and Oklahoma in their championship game, even though USC was ranked
No. 1 in both major polls.

Well, LSU beat Oklahoma, but USC won its bowl game as well, so
The Associated Press named USC its champion. Meanwhile, LSU won the
championship game and the championship trophy.

The national media seemed to forget about LSU after that,
calling USC back-to-back national champions after the Trojans won
in 2004 and were hyping up USC going for a third-straight national
championship this past season.

“It’s certainly been frustrating,” said Steve,
the main founder of onepeat.com and an LSU alumnus.

He didn’t want me to use his last name, and I don’t
blame him. The sight of this billboard in L.A. could drive Trojan
fans even more insane than they already are.

When I asked Steve about the responses he’s gotten so far
from USC fans, he said, “Plenty. Not many you can
print.”

Having dealt with e-mail from USC fans myself in the past,
I’m not surprised. They aren’t the smartest or most
enlightened bunch out there.

So what inspired Steve to make this site?

“It’s really a combination of being a huge LSU fan,
and for public awareness,” he said. “USC’s
“˜dynasty’ was completely fabricated by the
media.”

On Jan. 7, only three days after the Rose Bowl, Steve, with some
help from a couple of LSU alumni friends and fellow Dallas natives
Kris and Shawn, launched onepeat.com.

This is by no means the first sports Web site launched to raise
money for a sports cause. Some have raised a lot more money ““
the “Buy the Expos” movement in 2002 started by three
University of Pennsylvania seniors totaled about $3 million in
pledges.

The Penn guys had national media coverage from ESPN, Sporting
News Radio, MLB.com and many other major outlets.

The onepeat.com guys have none of that yet ““ so far, the
main source of media to give coverage to their cause has been
Internet blogs with blurbs in other publications.

But even without much media hype, onepeat.com has already raised
about $5,500 at the time of writing ““ not including two
$1,000 pledges if the $8,000 mark is reached.

This plan is very feasible too.

Steve has already contacted several advertising firms about the
project, has talked to industry experts, and has received many
e-mails from people willing to donate their time and expertise.

According to an industry expert on Steve’s Web site, the
only real problem is the money. With the money, everything can fall
into place.

In addition, Steve has said he will donate extra, unused
donations to the Red Cross Hurricane Katrina fund. What a guy. And
the USC fans still give him a bad time.

“I’m definitely not a Trojan fan; however, my
dislike of USC is not the motivator behind this project,”
Steve said. “We are simply exposing USC’s embarrassing
attempt at claiming a part of the 2003 BCS National
Championship.”

Steve also says he has gotten a very positive response from
Bruin fans, adding to his Web site, “Go Bruins!”

Just think, it was only a few weeks ago that ESPN’s
“Outside the Lines” did a show that featured a bunch of
USC fans lamenting that the term “three-peat” had been
copyrighted.

Hopefully, in the near future, those same USC fans will be stuck
in traffic, looking up at a huge billboard, shaking their heads in
disgust.

Quiñonez wishes he had thought of onepeat.com. E-mail
him at gquinonez@media.ucla.edu.

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