USD Magazine, Fall 2001

Glory. No Problem.

T

by Michael R. Haskins, photos by Gary Payne '86

he rwo California kids met as freshmen on che Torero Stadium field. Kyle Slusser, a call, lanky safety from Alea

were heartbroken when they fai led co land a football scholarship co a major university. Decer-

mined co play ball, each found their way co USD, Loma, a small town 90 minutes ease of Los Angeles, a university neither had heard of previously. USD and Anthony Banovac, a hulking 260-pound defen- couldn't offer chem money, bur it did offer chem sive tackle from Norchridge, just a few miles from the chance co play at the NCM collegiate level, an the beaches of Malibu. They have been inseparable opportunity afforded co less than 6 percent of all ever since. Room.mates for four years, they wake high school players. each other up at 5:30 a.m. co life weights, then eat Last year, in what was supposed ro be the greatest breakfast together before heading off co separate rime of their lives - their senior season - the best classes. A few hours lacer, they meet up again and friends' world imploded. In a preseason practice, join rhe rest of the football Toreros for practice, Banovac core a ligament in his right knee, ending urging each ocher on through endless drills and his season before it began. In the first game, Slusser workouts. broke a bone in his leg. Thinking ir was just a bad Even before they met, the rwo had a lot in common. bruise, he played in the next game - and the bone Boch had standout high school football careers; both shattered.

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FALL 2001