This spring, the University of Southern California (USC) will welcome back a familiar face to campus, but this time it’s not to the football field. Legendary former USC football coach Pete Carroll is set to return to USC to co-teach an innovative course for graduating seniors, sharing his renowned “Win Forever” philosophy.
Carroll is partnering with USC Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life, Varun Soni, and Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship, David Belasco, to lead BUAD 498: The Game Is Life. This Marshall School of Business course is uniquely designed to equip students with a personal game plan for navigating life after graduation, leveraging their USC education to overcome future challenges.
The course offers a comprehensive exploration of success, merging Pete Carroll’s “Win Forever” philosophy, centered on maximizing potential through a competitive spirit, with Dean Soni’s expertise in mindfulness and purpose-driven leadership. Students will be encouraged to strive for excellence and compete effectively by integrating mind, body, and spirit into all aspects of their lives and careers.
“Life presents us with numerous challenges and opportunities, each requiring us to find our path,” Pete Carroll stated. “We all possess the ability to compete daily, bringing our best selves forward to make the most of every challenge. For me, competing has always meant striving for personal excellence. Through this course, Dean Soni and I hope to guide each student in discovering their own path to ‘Win Forever’.”
Dean Varun Soni will play a crucial role in fostering a growth mindset among students, drawing upon leadership principles from both sports and spirituality. His contribution will complement Pete Carroll Usc’s well-known competitive approach by adding a layer of introspection and purpose.
“As students transition into post-graduation life, they will inevitably encounter a journey filled with both obstacles and possibilities,” Soni explained. “‘Game Is Life’ empowers them to develop a strategic plan, cultivate a resilient mindset, and contemplate a fundamental question: How can I make the most of my life?”
The course structure is thoughtfully designed to be holistic. Fifty graduating seniors will engage in developing personalized game plans to guide their decisions after graduation. They will delve into practices aimed at fostering resilience, healthy competition, joy, and trust. Outside of classroom sessions, students will engage in assignments and exercises that bridge theory with practical application, reinforcing the lessons learned from Pete Carroll USC and Dean Soni.
Dean Geoff Garrett of the Marshall School of Business has emphasized the significant role of sports in global culture, media, and economics. This new course directly reflects this understanding, utilizing the lens of sports’ competitive spirit, personal growth, and empowerment to teach vital leadership skills.
“With ‘The Game Is Life’, Pete and Varun are bringing the dynamic competitive essence of sports into our students’ lives,” Dean Garrett commented. “This course embodies leadership in action, uniting two inspirational and visionary leaders from distinct backgrounds to assist our students in developing not only the necessary skill sets but also the crucial mindsets for achieving success in their careers and throughout their lives.” This unique offering, featuring Pete Carroll USC, promises to be an invaluable experience for USC graduating seniors.
