Written by Jake Hood
![Picture](/uploads/9/3/9/9/9399298/otis-booth-press-box-rendering_orig.jpg)
$7.5 million is quite a gift.
That’s how much the Otis Booth Foundation donated to the USC Trojans to help renovate the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
The donation will be part of a $270 million renovation project by the Trojans that is expected to begin after the start of the 2017 football season.
The historic arena, built in 1923, will receive a new press box. The Otis Booth Press Box will be named in honor of the foundation’s donation, as well as to commemorate the late philanthropist, Franklin Otis Booth Jr., who had a large impact on many institutions in the Los Angeles area.
The renovation will also include new video screens, concession stands, and lighting; as well as new seating that will give increased leg room to southern California football fans. However, the renovation will result in a decrease of the stadium’s seating capacity by nearly 20,000.
“It’s a renovation long overdue,” USC President C.L. Max Nikias said back in 2015, after the initial announcement of the renovation plan was made. The university president also went on to state the importance of the Coliseum to not only USC, but to the entire state of California.
The Coliseum has been home to much more than the USC Trojans. The historic college football battleground has also hosted two Super Bowls, two Olympic games, the Special Olympic World Games, a papal mass, and visits from three U.S. Presidents.
Renovations are expected to be completed by the 2019 home opener, and have no effect on the 2018 season.
That’s how much the Otis Booth Foundation donated to the USC Trojans to help renovate the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
The donation will be part of a $270 million renovation project by the Trojans that is expected to begin after the start of the 2017 football season.
The historic arena, built in 1923, will receive a new press box. The Otis Booth Press Box will be named in honor of the foundation’s donation, as well as to commemorate the late philanthropist, Franklin Otis Booth Jr., who had a large impact on many institutions in the Los Angeles area.
The renovation will also include new video screens, concession stands, and lighting; as well as new seating that will give increased leg room to southern California football fans. However, the renovation will result in a decrease of the stadium’s seating capacity by nearly 20,000.
“It’s a renovation long overdue,” USC President C.L. Max Nikias said back in 2015, after the initial announcement of the renovation plan was made. The university president also went on to state the importance of the Coliseum to not only USC, but to the entire state of California.
The Coliseum has been home to much more than the USC Trojans. The historic college football battleground has also hosted two Super Bowls, two Olympic games, the Special Olympic World Games, a papal mass, and visits from three U.S. Presidents.
Renovations are expected to be completed by the 2019 home opener, and have no effect on the 2018 season.