Eric Richardson [Flickr]

USC Football Coach Pete Carroll, on stage with Adam Carolla during the December 4 L.A. Live tree lighting.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Its doors opened six weeks ago, but this next Thursday the ESPN Zone at L.A. Live will hold its official grand opening, welcoming guests to a benefit for USC Football Coach Pete Carroll's A Better LA Foundation. The organization, founded in 2003, is committed to supporting Los Angeles communities in their goal to reduce violence by empowering change.

Coach Carroll will be the guest of honor at the event, which starts at 6pm on January 15. Tickets are $125 for adults and $75 for guests under 21. For the money, a portion of which is tax deductible, guests will get food, an open bar, access to the arcade and special guest appearances.

Carroll's Trojans finished the season 12-1, winning the Rose Bowl on New Year's day. They were voted 2nd in the final coaches' poll and 3rd in the AP's rankings.

Tickets for Thursday's event can be purchased through the Staples Center Foundation website.