An interview with USC Head Coach Mark Wilbur

February 26, 2010 

When did you know the team could pull off a victory in a game where they were behind for the majority of the time?  

Well, you never know for sure, but our program has a storied history of doing this - especially in the PAC-8 tournament.  After awhile, you simply start believing that it's not only possible, it's the way it's supposed to happen!  

2000:  We scored against ucla with 1:09 left and won in a shootout;

2001:  We scored three unanswered 3rd period goals;

2002:  We scored with five minutes to go to upset a 26-0 UW team;

2006:  We win both semi-final and final in shootouts;

2007:  We score with :21 seconds left to send it to overtime and win it in OT;

2010:  We score with 12.6 seconds left in regulation.

Not only do we believe, I think the other teams believe it too! 

What does winning your 8th championship feel like?  What makes this one different?

They NEVER get old and they each have a different feeling, because the teams are different, the time is different and I honestly believe that I have been blessed with this kind of good fortune and never want to take it for granted because you never know when it might be the last one you win.  Appreciate the moment as long as you can, then get back to work to try and make it happen again.  But honestly, this one even surprised me being a 5th seed.  We just caught fire, found some inner spirit - deep within that locker room - and were simply not going to be denied. 

You won’t lose too many players to graduation for next season, however, some important vacancies will be there (McClanathan’s heart, Gawlik’s leadership, etc.)  How do you feel about the team going into next year?  

Those guys are nearly impossible to replace, but as you know we have had so many great guys over the years that I always worry about replacing and somehow around the corner comes another wonderful who arrives as a kid and leaves as a man leading a group of guys to another championship.  I think it comes from the type of kids USC looks for in accepting students.  The school looks for leaders, corner office guys, not lifetime cube huggers.  They look for kids that want to take on the world and become winners in every respect.  The expectations in being a Trojan are high, for all graduates and being apart of the hockey program is no different.  Winning is what we do and if you aren't apart of it, you can't stand us, but if you are in the Trojan Family, you are there for life and embrace the expectations placed upon you. 

The Hostage Crisis of the PAC-8 Cup: Oregon still has the Championship Cup.  Can they remedy such a breach in conduct?   If so, how?

This one has all sorts of emotions running through me, but mostly sad ones that a major institution would allow such a classless act.  The absence of sportsmanship in a sport that cherishes its traditions leaves me speechless.  It hurts the winners, the fans and the league.  Imagine if UW had won and it was their first ever PAC 8 Championship!?!?  How would that have gone?  Worse is not even getting contacted directly by the team or administration and having it communicated through the league - that's just pathetic.  That goes back to that leadership thing I was talking about - grow up and face the classless act and apologize publicly to the league and the team. 

What has the League done to punish the Ducks for this heinous offense against tradition and sportsmanship? Who knows.  Let's see if the leadership is there or not.  I suspect they will do nothing more than write a letter.  Sad, but likely true. 

What will the team do when they get the cup in their possession?  

What else, throw another victory party!! Maybe we should thank them for giving cause to celebrate again.  I think my favorite line from the other night was, "#8 was fate and while it came late, will always feel great".

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Fight On Trojans!!