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WATCH: Take a video tour of the $315-million Coliseum renovation

USC had a formal unveiling and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the renovated United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Thursday.
USC had a formal unveiling and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the renovated United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Thursday. (Ryan Young/TrojanSports.com)

USC hosted an elaborate ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday to unveil the renovated and renamed United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, new USC President Carol Folt, athletic director Lynn Swann, head coach Clay Helton and others spoke before the attendees received a full tour of the new features.

The media was also given a tour of the $315 million project, which several speakers made the point to emphasize was funded by USC, United Airlines and private donors -- with no public dollars involved. The swanky Founders Club suites for instance came with a 20-year commitment and a total donation of $7.5-$10 million, senior associate athletic director Steve Lopes said.

The renovation included the installation of new seats (with cup holders) throughout the stadium, with increased legroom and additional aisles in spots. Seating capacity at the Coliseum is now 77,500, down from 92,348.

There is now stadium-wide Wi-Fi. The new seven-story Scholarship Club Tower on the south side includes the Founders Club suites, loge boxes, club seats, a new concourse with upgraded concession options, a new press box and the rooftop 1923 Club that offers a unique viewing experience with a 360-degree view of the area.

All in all, USC says the project involved 470 truckloads of new concrete and 4,618 gallons of paint as the historic 96-year-old venue was brought up to date.

Take a tour of the newly-renovated Coliseum

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The new seats bring a fresh shine to the bowl inside the Coliseum.
The new seats bring a fresh shine to the bowl inside the Coliseum. (Ryan Young/TrojanSports.com)
The entrance to the exclusive Founders Club, where suits were reserved for 20 years with donations between $7.5-$10 million. All but one of the available suites has bee sold.
The entrance to the exclusive Founders Club, where suits were reserved for 20 years with donations between $7.5-$10 million. All but one of the available suites has bee sold. (Ryan Young/TrojanSports.com)
The view from the seats outside the Founders Club suites.
The view from the seats outside the Founders Club suites. (Ryan Young/TrojanSports.com)
Mural above the entrance to the Lou Galen Club Lounge honoring USC's great coaches.
Mural above the entrance to the Lou Galen Club Lounge honoring USC's great coaches. (Ryan Young/TrojanSports.com)
The Lou Galen Club Lounge.
The Lou Galen Club Lounge. (Ryan Young/TrojanSports.com)
The Lou Galen Club Lounge leads into the loge seats, which can be reserved with or without a table.
The Lou Galen Club Lounge leads into the loge seats, which can be reserved with or without a table. (Ryan Young/TrojanSports.com)
The 1923 Club sits atop the newly-renovated Colisum and recognizes the year the stadium opened. It provides a 360-degree view of the area from up above.
The 1923 Club sits atop the newly-renovated Colisum and recognizes the year the stadium opened. It provides a 360-degree view of the area from up above. (Ryan Young/TrojanSports.com)
USC associate AD Jeff Fucci shows off the 1923 Club sign with a space identifying the USC campus.
USC associate AD Jeff Fucci shows off the 1923 Club sign with a space identifying the USC campus. (Ryan Young/TrojanSports.com)
The aerial view from the 1923 Club.
The aerial view from the 1923 Club. (Ryan Young/TrojanSports.com)

Sights and sounds from the unveiling ceremony

The USC marching band arrives to start the fesitivities Thursday.
The USC marching band arrives to start the fesitivities Thursday. (Ryan Young/TrojanSports.com)
USC football coach Clay Helton mingles with the guests before later speaking to the crowd gathered for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
USC football coach Clay Helton mingles with the guests before later speaking to the crowd gathered for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. (Ryan Young/TrojanSports.com)
USC athletic director Lynn Swann looks on before the start of the ceremony Thursday.
USC athletic director Lynn Swann looks on before the start of the ceremony Thursday. (Ryan Young/TrojanSports)
Clay Helton and his wife Angela look on during the ceremony.
Clay Helton and his wife Angela look on during the ceremony. (Ryan Young/TrojanSports.com)
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and USC President Carol Folt applaud during the Coliseum unveiling ceremony.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and USC President Carol Folt applaud during the Coliseum unveiling ceremony. (Ryan Young/TrojanSports.com)
New USC President Carol Folt addresses the crowd.
New USC President Carol Folt addresses the crowd. (Ryan Young/TrojanSports.com)
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti speaking before the official ribbon-cutting at the unveiling of the renovated Coliseum.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti speaking before the official ribbon-cutting at the unveiling of the renovated Coliseum. (Ryan Young/TrojanSports.com)
USC football coach Clay Helton, second row left, and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, front right.
USC football coach Clay Helton, second row left, and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, front right. (Ryan Young/TrojanSports.com)
USC athletic director Lynn Swann takes his turn addressing the crowd Thursday.
USC athletic director Lynn Swann takes his turn addressing the crowd Thursday. (Ryan Young/TrojanSports.com)
USC football coach Clay Helton shares his appreciation for the renovations to the Trojans' home stadium.
USC football coach Clay Helton shares his appreciation for the renovations to the Trojans' home stadium. (Ryan Young/TrojanSports.com)
Clay Helton, left, Eric Garcetti, third from right, and others after the ceremonial ribbon-cutting.
Clay Helton, left, Eric Garcetti, third from right, and others after the ceremonial ribbon-cutting. (Ryan Young/TrojanSports.com)
The new official name is United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
The new official name is United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. (Ryan Young/TrojanSports.com)

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