Boombox Man

Every Friday, sounds of music radiate across campus. A boombox, inherited from a DJ, plays the tunes that make students smile on their way to class. A third-year student, the mysterious Boombox Man, carries the boombox proudly upon his shoulders as he makes his way around campus.

"Boombox Friday" began as a collaboration between two friends. One of the original boombox men left USC, but one still remains to carry on the tradition.

"The first time I saw him with the boombox he was dressed up in his Twinkie costume, rocking it out past Humanities," said Bryan Mango, third-year technology support student.

"I said to my friend at the time that it was the coolest and funniest thing I had seen and admired him for actually having the courage to do it."

The Boombox Man, who wishes to remain anonymous, said he began carrying the boombox in the spring of 2004.

He said the music he plays on the boombox are things that he enjoys listening to, which ranges from 80's Rock to Polka. But, he said, he also takes requests.

"One day I devoted an entire play list to a friend because it was her birthday," he said.

Sometimes, the Boombox Man said, he likes to spice "Boombox Fridays" up a bit by wearing a Twinkie costume. "I found that costume at Wal-Mart for $15 and there was no way I was going to pass up a deal like that," he said.

"When we started doing the whole boombox thing I thought it would be hilarious if I wore it and walked around with the box. I didn't expect the overwhelming reaction I got when I did that. Now I put it on for special occasions, kind of like my ceremonial robes."

The Boombox Man said his costume days are the most popular.

It is no surprise to him that he gets many reactions from students while he carries the box, especially while dressed in his costume.

"Generally I have four basic reactions: shock, disgust, apathy and laughter," he said.

But, to him, it is worth it.

"I think the best part of this whole experiment was knowing that I made at least one person smile every time I stepped out with the box blaring," he said.

"Sometimes I think people wrap themselves around stress and the bad things in life and forget to smile and look at the brighter side of things. I hope that I have made some people smile and say to heck with their problems and their stress just for a little while."