When Richard Saukko galloped his chalk-white Arabian horse named Traveler around the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum almost 56 years ago, it was supposed to be a one-time stunt.

A USC spokesman talked to the LA Times about the origin of Traveler: "USC’s mascot horse is a symbol of ancient Troy. Its rider, with costume and sword, is a symbol of a Trojan warrior.

#USC knows how to take care of Traveler. The school made sure the beloved horse rested when USC scored all those first-half TDs.

Perhaps the greatest mascot of any college football team, Traveler , celebrates its 50th anniversary as the USC Trojans' mascot in 2011. Traveler is a commanding and gallant white horse carrying a ...

USC retired Traveler VII from the role of live horse mascot following the conclusion of the 2016 season.

USC has had multiple horses play the role of Traveler, each a pure white Andalusian horse, symbolizing grace and power. The tradition began in 1961 when Richard Saukko, a USC fan, introduced Traveler.

A major draw of college football games are the opening acts: spirit teams, pre-game traditions, mascots and marching bands.

Traveler, the majestic white horse trotting around the Coliseum field during USC home games, may not have been the Trojans’ first mascot, but he is certainly the most famous. Over the last 57 ...

The Trojans' evisceration was so thorough that, per USC reporter Keely Eure, Traveler—the team's beloved horse mascot—was too tired to celebrate when the Trojans went up 42–3.

Naming the USC mascot Traveler started nearly 56 years ago, after a rider on horseback galloped across the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum field during a Trojans home game.