Leinart’s Initiation Complete

The only part missing was the Trojan marching band.

Otherwise, all things USC dominated the atmosphere at the Hilton New York on Monday night as Trojan quarterback Matt Leinart ended a whirlwind weekend by officially taking possession of the 70th Heisman Trophy.

USC’s Mike Garrett and Charles White were among the 21 former Heisman winners seated on the dais for the $500-a-plate, black-tie dinner that annually welcomes the newest member of the exclusive Heisman fraternity.

White was honored on the 25th anniversary of his Heisman victory. Former USC coach John Robinson, who guided USC to the 1978 national title, was seated next to Pete Carroll, who has returned the Trojans to national prominence in his four seasons as coach.

“It was a great scene for the university,” Leinart said afterward. “Coach Robinson is a legend, Charlie White is a legend and Coach Carroll is going to be a legend.”

Leinart, 21, entrenched himself in USC and college football lore Saturday when he became the school’s sixth Heisman winner.

He is the 69th player to win college football’s most prestigious individual award.

“It’s kind of starting to sink in a little bit now that I’m officially a real member of the group,” Leinart said. “The more I think about it, the more of an honor it is.

“Now I’m just kind of thinking about getting home and coming back to reality. It’s been like a dream world these past three days.”

USC President Steven Sample, offensive coordinator Norm Chow and quarterback coach Carl Smith also were on hand as a Trojan quarterback was feted for the second time in three years.

Carroll said he did not expect to return to New York so soon after Carson Palmer became the first Trojan quarterback to win the Heisman in 2002.

“I never even thought about trying to do it again -- I really thought it was a one-time thing,” he said. “For this to come up again -- and have two guys involved in all this -- I don’t even know how to describe it.”

Chow attended the Heisman dinner for the third time. He tutored 1990 Heisman winner Ty Detmer of Brigham Young before nurturing Palmer and Leinart.

Chow said he was not getting tired of trekking to New York to watch quarterbacks hold the Heisman.

“Gosh no,” he said. “The tuxedo gets old but not this.”

Leinart began the evening by posing for hundreds of photographs with dinner-goers who lined up to capture their own Heisman moment with the 6-foot-5 left-hander and his trophy.

The dinner program featured an address by Robinson as well as tributes to White and 1954 Heisman winner Alan Ameche.

Robinson, who compiled a 104-35-4 record in two stints at USC, coached White in college and with the Los Angeles Rams. He called the Trojans’ all-time leading rusher “the toughest human being I’ve ever known.”

White acknowledged Robinson’s loyalty and recalled the day that Robinson made a recruiting visit to his San Fernando home.

“I just want to thank you for all the things you’ve done for me over the years,” White said in his speech. “If it wasn’t for you coming into my house ... and saying, “I’m going to play the best guy....’

“You told the truth that day, and I thank you for that.”

Then it was time for Leinart to address the crowd and Heisman winners. Fellow Santa Ana Mater Dei High graduate John Huarte, Tony Dorsett, Steve Spurrier and two-time winner Archie Griffin were among a group that ranged from 1951 winner Dick Kazmaier to 1996 winner Danny Wuerffel.

Leinart began by recalling his humble years as a redshirt and then a seldom-used late-game replacement before becoming the starter in 2003.

“I’d go in at garbage time and take the kneel-down; that was my best play,” Leinart said. “I’ve come a long way from then.”

Leinart thanked the Heisman winners for embracing him during the weekend.

“A concept Coach Carroll really teaches at USC is family -- that’s what we really take pride in,” Leinart said. “This week I really feel like a part of the family of these guys up here.”

Afterward, Leinart said he was looking forward to rejoining teammates today in Los Angeles. The top-ranked Trojans have their team awards banquet tonight and then will resume preparations for the bowl championship series title game against No. 2 Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 4.

“When I get back home, I’m just going to put the trophy away and act like nothing happened,” Leinart said. “I’ll be the same guy, and I’ll let my team know that I thank them. I’m going to work hard because we still have a big important game left.”