a reality show concept by

STEVEN TRAVERS with JIM STARR AND ANTHONY DAVIS

The television show concept revolves around college football, initially using connections between the producers, and previous writings by Steven Travers, at the University of Southern California. USC is currently the biggest name in college sports, and of course its Los Angeles location make it ideal, but the idea could easily branch out to other programs and endeavors. However, the focus should expand top attract a national audience with a hook to let the viewer know that in future episodes, their school will be given the attention.  The scripting and writing will create as many dramatic sequences, confrontations, highs and lows as possible, with each episode ending on a question that can only be answered the following week.

The concept is one that allows a camera to follow members of the USC football team throughout their daily lives, not merely on the football field but in the classroom, their living quarters, meetings and parties. It is an in-depth look at what it is like to be a college student in 2007, as well as a mini-celebrity of sorts on campus. Not unlike the popular documentary Hoop Dreams, it could follow a freshman recruit throughout the travails of his four years at the university. The interactive angle could involve viewers voting on his chances via Internet polling.

The idea is to focus on a “blue chip” star at first adjusting to the competition and collegiate environment, following his success and failure. It will give fans a glimpse into the inner workings of the biggest collegiate football program in the world. It will also delve into the marketing and public relations aspects of college sports; the “Heisman campaigns,” the propaganda of polling, the ranking of tradition; all in an effort to paint the portrait of a program in as flattering a light as possible for the benefit of recruits and national media.

The show will also highlight the academic challenges of collegiate athletes, looking at the unique dynamic of teenage boys being idolized by successful adults as well as their relationship with the coed population. The show will spotlight this precariousness, in which a young man may be elevated to great heights only to plunge into obscurity based on his “ranking” with the team’s hierarchy. Jealousies, rivalry and the inner workings of human interaction will be looked at with a keen eye.

Another aspect of the program will be the NFL Draft. The reality show could easily include who has what it takes to be drafted by the NFL, comparing colleges throughout the nation.  Specifically, college athletes are first “drafted” by the schools via “letter of  intent (blue chips).”  The goals and objectives are the following:

1. Start making plans at eight years old (if they have the aptitude) to play contact football (could film generic footage of youth football programs as the narrator interviews college prospects; interviews throughout the following).

2. Select the most prestigious high schools, known to recruit to major football colleges. (same format as above).

3. Drafted by college (“letter of intent”).

4. Compete for starting position in college.

5. Through college's PR and prestige (obviously ability and tremendous work ethic).

6. The combine.

7. Draft day.

In order to have a competitive top 10 football program, the process really starts now at eight years old, with the goal to be an NFL player. USC has historically been the leader in drafting players into the NFL. Why? Let's follow the process the top 10 schools use to get to number one while we explore what players will make it to their ultimate goal, the NFL Draft.

The producers of this show all have a unique USC connection. Author and screenwriter Steven Travers is a graduate of the university who regularly speaks, signs books and addresses audiences in his role as a Trojan historian. He is the author of three books on USC football and has a unique relationship with coach Pete Carroll, since they attended the same high school. Travers has interviewed over forty Trojan legends in past years and was a columnist with a Los Angeles sports magazine charged with the “Trojan beat” as well as a monthly “distant replay” of great events in L.A.’s sports past.

Jim Starr is also a USC graduate with strong connections to the world-famous marching band, which could play a key role in the show’s popularity. He is available as the “front man” in scheduling and expanding the show beyond USC to other college campuses.

Anthony Davis is a true Trojan legend with a strong inside connection to coaches, alumni, players and former teammates. His acting background and charismatic persona would make him a great narrator and conduit between the show and the players. Through A.D., interviews with former Trojans, both legendary and unknown, can shed light on how these ex-players dealt with identical (or different) experiences, and how they dealt with the aftermath of their USC years. Additionally, comparisons of current stars with freshman recruits would provide for development over time and audience participation as to who will be the next star. A.D., being an experienced former “blue chipper” who starred at USC, played in the NFL, and made the transition to the “real world,” is in a unique position to comment and compare based on his experience.

Lloyd Robinson is a USC graduate and lifelong fan of Trojan football with excellent contacts at the school and its vast Hollywood directory.