This post is part of a media project called SoCal Sports History 101: The Prime Numbers from 00 to 99 that Uniformly, Uniquely and Unapologetically Reveal The Narrative of Our Region’s Athletic Heritage. Pick a number, and consider the list of athletes attached to it. Who wore it best? Or, what’s the most compelling story linked to it? Any person, place or thing is in play with Southern California connections. Star power, transformational achievement, longevity, notoriety and quirkiness all factor in. Whatever leads to a lively discussion and interpretation.
The most obvious choices for No. 61:
Chan Ho Park, Los Angeles Dodgers
Rich Saul, Los Angeles Rams
The not-so-obvious choice for No. 61:
Josh Beckett, Los Angeles Dodgers
Bill Fisk, USC football
The most interesting story for No. 61:
Jake Olson, USC football long snapper (2015 to 2018)
Southern California map pinpoints:
Huntington Beach, Orange, L.A. Coliseum
Reference books on the subject:
“The Faith that Fights On,” by Jake Olsen, 2026
“Open Your Eyes: 10 Uncommon Lessons to Discover a Happier Life,” by Jake Olsen, 2014
Long before he ran onto the Los Angeles Coliseum turf with a huge smile on his face for the first time wearing a USC football jersey, given the duty as the point person in executing an extra point, Jake Olson had already made his point.
The Trojans’ 2017 Labor Day weekend season opener against visiting Western Michigan was tied 21-21 after three quarters and the local almns were concerned that things were about to go sideways. Marvell Tell returned an interception 37 yards for a USC touchdown with 3:13 left in the game, so finally, the fourth-ranked Trojans had some breathing room, up 17 points.
Amidst the spectators collective sighs of relief, most didn’t notice that the 20-year-old Olson was taking practice snaps on the sidelines.
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound redshirt sophomore took a deep breath when USC head coach Clay Helton turned to the sideline and yelled his name: “Are you ready? Let’s get this done!”
Olson launched one more football between his legs with a rhythm and rote that had been pure and natural by this point. He put his right hand on the shoulder of teammate Wyatt Schmidt, and the two ran together more than 50 yards across the grass to where the line of scrimmage was at the peristyle end for the touchdown. This would be the game’s punctuation mark.
The referee gave special instructions to both sides, then blew the whistle. Olson made the snap, the ball was placed by Schmidt, and the kick by freshman Chase McGrath was good. USC won 49-31.
“What a pressure player,” Helton said after the game. “Was that not a perfect snap?”
“It turned out to be a beautiful moment,” Olson said.
Former USC head coach Pete Carroll was watching on TV. He called Olson afterward and screamed: “Hey Jakey! I’m so proud of you. I love you.”
If anyone by this point could see all that was special in what had just happened, it was Olson.
Tom Hoffarth's The Drill: More Farther Off the Wall 