In baseball, when a manager takes over his third, fourth, fifth team in his career, he’s inevitably referred to as a “good baseball man.” Often, regardless of his record at his previous stops. College football 2012 has a similar feel. There are former Irish head coaches Bob Davie and Charlie Weis taking over at New Read Full Post
Irish Return to Traditional Captains
August 28, 2012 by
At St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota, legendary football coach John Gagliardi has a tradition of making each member of his senior class – from All-American to bench-warmer — a “co-captain” of the Johnnies. His thinking: it’s a line that looks great on a resume. At Notre Dame, tradition has held that the captaincy is Read Full Post
Flashy Helmet? What Would Rock Think?
August 14, 2012 by
A lot of Irish fans are apoplexic over the uniforms – and especially the helmets – adidas has rolled out for the Oct. 6 Miami game at Chicago’s Soldier Field. And, yes, the “bold” designs do seem to spit in the face of tradition. “Rockne would be rolling over in his grave if he saw Read Full Post
Tough Schedule: It’s Been Ever Thus
August 7, 2012 by
Many analysts have Notre Dame’s 2012 schedule ranked as the toughest in the country, and it’s hard to argue with that. It features trips to Top 5 teams Southern Cal and Oklahoma, and three other games against consensus Top 20 squads Michigan, Michigan State and Stanford, and then throw in “toss-up” games against Miami and Read Full Post
Penn State Scandal: A Program Too Powerful
November 10, 2011 by
The primary reaction to the Penn State scandal is profound sadness. Sadness for the victims and their families, who will be dealing with their pain the rest of their lives. Second, one has to ask: how many victims could have been spared if certain adults hadn’t looked the other way, covered up or simply “not Read Full Post
Realignment Solution: The Big 76
October 27, 2011 by
OK, I’ve tried to keep this quiet up till now, but can’t hold out any longer. My source absolutely swears this is true. You know how last week, University of Connecticut president Susan Herbst said, “Geography no longer matters in college football.” Then, like, was it yesterday — West Virginia joined, or maybe wanted to Read Full Post
The Way It’s Supposed To Be
October 10, 2011 by
Occasionally, we’re asked when Notre Dame’s Homecoming game is. Folks are often surprised to learn that ND doesn’t celebrate Homecoming as such. The reason, of course, is that every home game — indeed, every game — is a chance for many thousand members of the Notre Dame family to return, gather and celebrate. Whether it’s Read Full Post
Change the Music…Please!!!
October 5, 2011 by
When word came the other day that Hank Williams Jr. was being sidelined by ESPN from his song that opens Monday Night Football, due to intemperate remarks about President Obama, I had a reaction that I hope mirrored that of other college football fans: “Great. Now can they do the same to that ridiculous song Read Full Post
The March Is On (Right?)
September 19, 2011 by
Late in Saturday’s game, I texted my daughter, 2009 alum Liz, who was in the seventh row of the south end zone. “Forget Rudy….Carry Blanton Off the Field!!!” OK, I guess Rudy’s status is safe. But what a performance by the well-spoken senior from Matthews, N.C. And when’s the last time you saw a post-game Read Full Post
The Only Option: Moving Foward
September 12, 2011 by
When Hurricane Irene slammed into the Northeast recently, I probably had the same reaction as millions of other Americans….wondering how loved ones in the region were faring with the flooding, power outages and other disruptions of the disaster. I’m having something of deja vu moment after Saturday’s gut-wrenching defeat. I want to reach out to Read Full Post
