Arena Campaign Expected

Given preliminary approval by university trustees, the USC athletic department is preparing to launch a fund-raising campaign for an on-campus arena which, by early estimates, could cost as much as $50 million.

USC President Steven B. Sample has said the arena will open within five years, but athletic department administrators are talking about a a shorter timeline. They hope to gather pledges within a year and have construction finished 18 months thereafter.

That means the men’s basketball team, which plays its games at the nearby Sports Arena, could move into its new home as early as the 2001-02 season.

Coming up: Thursday versus Washington, Saturday versus Washington State.