NOTES

The late Harley Tinkham, originator of the Morning Briefing column in The Times, was a Trojan track letterman and an avid USC fan. He is in the USC Hall of Fame for his journalistic contributions.

His daughter, Amanda Tinkham Boltax, is just as avid. She works for USA Today Baseball Weekly in Arlington, Va. Last week, when USC played in the NCAA regional tournament in Uniondale, N.Y., Boltax, along with her 4-year-old daughter, Alison, drove 5 1/2 hours to see the Trojans play.

Now that the Trojans have reached the Sweet 16, in Philadelphia, Boltax will be on her way again.

And if USC reaches the Final Four, will Boltax be driving to Minneapolis? She will if she has to.