The Trojan Shrine was sculpted by Roger Noble Burnham,[1] who used USC football players such as Russ Saunders, Ernie Pinckert, Henry Becker, Larry Stevens and John Ward as visual references for the statue.

The Shrine is surrounded by the Bovard Administration Building, Ronald Tutor Campus Center, and Alumni Park.

[4] Inscribed on the base of the statue are the five attributes of the ideal Trojan: Faithful, Scholarly, Skillful, Courageous and Ambitious.

On the reverse is a plaque bearing a quote by Virgil: "Here are provided seats of meditative joy, where shall rise again the destined reign of Troy."

However, Tommy Trojan is not USC's official mascot; that title belongs to Traveler, a white Andalusian horse.