Southern California's website credits Bird, the sports editor, as being the one who created the nickname "Trojans." It wasn't unusual for school nicknames or mascots to come from newspapers.

Sep 9, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal tree mascot during a NCAA football game against the Southern California Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USC defeated Stanford 42-24.

The rider, dressed as a Trojan warrior, accompanies the horse, representing USC's spirit and tradition. Traveler, the mascot of the University of Southern California (USC), is not a real horse ...