USC Sports Award Named for Jack Oakie

Victoria Oakie, widow of the late actor Jack Oakie, has endowed an annual scholarship and award in her husband’s name for the USC football team. The award, called the “Jack Oakie Rise and Shine Award,” will be presented to the Trojan player with the season’s longest run from scrimmage.

Fullback Kennedy Pola, who had a 37-yard run during the 1985 season, was presented the first award at the team’s banquet Dec.10 at the Bonaventure Hotel.

The award’s name comes from an Oakie film called “Rise and Shine” in which he played a football player who makes the longest run in the game’s history.