Players Skipping Alma Mater

[Irish Insanity]

Ya, we should just get rid of it. I mean how are the players suppose to give it their all during the game, leave it all on the field, if they have to save energy to sing a song and sway afterwards. Clearly the reason we are playing with no passion at times and nor producing is because we save it for the swaying.

 

[Anchorman]

Couple guarantees if this sticks. One is that they get the hell booed out of them, another is that people aren't going to stick around for the end of/4th quarter of losses

 

[irishog77]

Couple guarantees if this sticks. One is that they get the hell booed out of them, another is that people aren't going to stick around for the end of/4th quarter of losses

I predict neither of these happen.

 

[ThePiombino]

To suggest Kelly needs to go because he doesn't share your opinion on whether or not the kids should stick around for the alma mater after a loss is beyond ridiculous.

 

[IrishLax]

To suggest Kelly needs to go because he doesn't share your opinion on whether or not the kids should stick around for the alma mater after a loss is beyond ridiculous.

Alternatively, this is the first time I've been thoroughly convinced that Brian Kelly does not get it. This is a completely unnecessary "policy" with no reasonable rationale to support it.

Honestly, his track record over 4 years isn't much better than Kiffin. Seriously, go look at the numbers. Each had one good year where they finished in the AP top 6 and the rest were mediocre. Their winning percentages are near identical. I'm realistically getting to the point where I wouldn't mind starting over if we were guaranteed to get a good offensive mind. Watching him spew BS in press conferences and continually roll out a crappy offense year after year after year is just sad.

 

[IrishLax]

Really? Weis started this "pussyfooting nonsense"?

The Team singing the alma mater together with the student body was lauded by Keith Jackson decades ago. Mussberger extolled the relationship a decade or two ago.

I don't know when it started but it was in place for a home loss to BYU in '94 under Holtz. Holtz announced his departure from ND in such a venue in '96. I experienced it first hand again after a win in Davies' first game against GT in '97. Later that year after Davies Signature Game against #11LSU in Death Valley, LSU turned out their stadium lights while the players and the ND fans sang the alma mater together. We swayed in the dark.

I experienced it again sitting with the Getherall's, Ching's, Brennan's, Rosenthals's and other players's families in the Coliseum after a 10-0 loss to the Trojans. I reveled with the Team singing the Alma Mater after Willingham's '02 win in Tallahassee after WE had silenced the FSU Tomahawk Chant in the 3rd Quarter at Doak Walker Stadium just as WE had done in '97 in Death Valley.

Weis didn't start the tradition but he did respect it. I remember after one game he started to walk over to the student area to sing with them and the players. Alex Flanagan grabbed him by the arm for and interview. He begged to be excused to accompany the students and players. Alex grasp got tighter and she leaned into his face with her mike firing off post game questions. Weis took her hand off his arm and politely but firmly noted, "I realize this is important but the alma mater post game is tradition. I'll see you right after we're done." He walked over to the student area and everybody on the NBC crew shut up as the Students and Players sang together. When they were done one of the male announcers commented on the bond between the Students and Team he made mention of the gladiators saluting Caesar but added in this case it was more the student and players saluted each other. When Weis rejoined Alex after the alma mater, she issued a quick apology for her interruption.

Since Kelly arrived NBC comes first and he and Alex talk over the alma mater. That's rude and disrespectful. NBC could go to commercial and do the interview after.

As always, BGIF gets it.

 

[greyhammer90]

smells a lot like NDNation in here...

 

[wizards8507]

Alternatively, this is the first time I've been thoroughly convinced that Brian Kelly does not get it. This is a completely unnecessary "policy" with no reasonable rationale to support it.

Honestly, his track record over 4 years isn't much better than Kiffin. Seriously, go look at the numbers. Each had one good year where they finished in the AP top 6 and the rest were mediocre. Their winning percentages are near identical. I'm realistically getting to the point where I wouldn't mind starting over if we were guaranteed to get a good offensive mind. Watching him spew BS in press conferences and continually roll out a crappy offense year after year after year is just sad.

Kelly stomps on tradition with something new every season. Alma Mater, stadium walk, Mass, Crazy Train, uniforms, etc. Next year it'll be field turf. Then jumbotron. Then relaxed academic standards. These things may not trigger a big reaction from regular Irish fans but they've rubbed me the wrong way as an alumnus.

 

[Irishman77]

Kelly stomps on tradition with something new every season. Alma Mater, stadium walk, Mass, Crazy Train, uniforms, etc. Next year it'll be field turf. Then jumbotron. Then relaxed academic standards. These things may not trigger a big reaction from regular Irish fans but they've rubbed me the wrong way as an alumnus.

Cool...lets go back to the days of home field disadvantage, library atmosphere and 5.2 forty times...

 

[ThePiombino]

smells a lot like NDNation in here...

See below:

Kelly stomps on tradition with something new every season. Alma Mater, stadium walk, Mass, Crazy Train, uniforms, etc. Next year it'll be field turf. Then jumbotron. Then relaxed academic standards. These things may not trigger a big reaction from regular Irish fans but they've rubbed me the wrong way as an alumnus.

Cool...lets go back to the days of home field disadvantage, library atmosphere and 5.2 forty times...

Seriously.

 

[JughedJones]

My God.

You people are beyond idiotic after a loss.

I know I can get dumb on here, but this is bordering on mass insanity.

Kelly is like Kiffin.

Kelly doesn't get it.

Kelly stomps on tradition.

We should start over.

Get a ****ing grip on yourselves people.

 

[ThePiombino]

My God.

You people are beyond idiotic after a loss.

I know I can get dumb on here, but this is bordering on mass insanity.

Kelly is like Kiffin.

Kelly doesn't get it.

Kelly stomps on tradition.

We should start over.

Get a ****ing grip on yourselves people.

All of this. Please, everyone, step away from the ledge. Please.

 

[aubeirish]

Alternatively, this is the first time I've been thoroughly convinced that Brian Kelly does not get it. This is a completely unnecessary "policy" with no reasonable rationale to support it.

Honestly, his track record over 4 years isn't much better than Kiffin. Seriously, go look at the numbers. Each had one good year where they finished in the AP top 6 and the rest were mediocre. Their winning percentages are near identical. I'm realistically getting to the point where I wouldn't mind starting over if we were guaranteed to get a good offensive mind. Watching him spew BS in press conferences and continually roll out a crappy offense year after year after year is just sad.

I just think that he needs to hire a real Offensive coordinator. It has become pretty apparent that Jeff Quinn might have been a big part of the offensive success they had in Cincinnati and Central Michigan. I think Kelly is a great General, but he should delegate that part to someone that is better at calling plays.

 

[wizards8507]

Cool...lets go back to the days of home field disadvantage, library atmosphere and 5.2 forty times...

Rewatch the game. Oklahoma had the ball on third and fourth downs when we were still in the game and the fans are sitting down, silent. BK's revolution has hardly been successful in that regard.

 

[ThePiombino]

Rewatch the game. Oklahoma had the ball on third and fourth downs when we were still in the game and the fans are sitting down, silent. BK's revolution has hardly been successful in that regard.

The bluehairs no doubt. No coach is going to change their ways.

 

[IrishAlum1997]

You win together, you lose together. The alma mater is a symbol of unity between player and student. It's a time to celebrate as much as it is a time to hold one another up.

It takes 30 freakin seconds. You can do whatever you want structurally to the Stadium, the uniform, (gasp!), the helmet. But when you start messing with the spirituality and connection between the team, the band, and the student body, you have lost sight of what REALLY matters at Notre Dame.

Embarrassed for my school today.

 

[irishpat183]

Kelly is losing this team. But I said this long ago and was called every name in the book.

Regardless the "policy" (which is a lie to cover up) the fact that it was only some of the guys tells me they're not on te same page. Which is an indication that A. It wasn't discussed and clarified or B. they don't care as some have pointed out.

Either way, it's on Kelly.

Poor play calling, blow ups on the sidelines, flirting with the NFL, top recruits leaving in masses....you'd have to be a total moron not to think it doesn't have an impact on a player, especially when you're playing like ****.

 

[TheTurningPoint]

Player safety issue is the reasoning behind it. My guess is that there was a situation that prompted this move. Shocking.

I personally think itd be a nice touch to do it win/lose, but like stated by someone, it was started in 2005.

A wise man told me, "just never lose at home and it won't be an issue."

 

[JughedJones]

You win together, you lose together. The alma mater is a symbol of unity between player and student. It's a time to celebrate as much as it is a time to hold one another up.

It takes 30 freakin seconds. You can do whatever you want structurally to the Stadium, the uniform, (gasp!), the helmet. But when you start messing with the spirituality and connection between the team, the band, and the student body, you have lost sight of what REALLY matters at Notre Dame.

Embarrassed for my school today.

I'm embarrassed for the fanbase today.

How many times did we sing the Alma Mater after a loss during Lou? How bout ever before 2006?

Oh right.

You guys are acting like Knute installed this along with the forward pass.

Let's bring back Weis. He really 'got it.'

 

[Irishman77]

Rewatch the game. Oklahoma had the ball on third and fourth downs when we were still in the game and the fans are sitting down, silent. BK's revolution has hardly been successful in that regard.

I could care less what boring a-holes attend games. I care about the football program. Going to a NC with Golson was revolutionary. Also going undefeated at home...

When Kelly gets golson back and Rees graduates we will be right there again.

 

[wizards8507]

I could care less what boring a-holes attend games. I care about the football program. Going to a NC with Golson was revolutionary. Also going undefeated at home...

When Kelly gets golson back and Rees graduates we will be right there again.

C'mon get over that. Golson was legitimately terrible. I'm not sure why people are expecting Marcus Mariota in 2014. Manti got us to Miami last year, not EG.

 

[NDTampa]

I could care less what boring a-holes attend games. I care about the football program. Going to a NC with Golson was revolutionary. Also going undefeated at home...

When Kelly gets golson back and Rees graduates we will be right there again.

Who cares if ND wins? As long as ND has a coach that "gets it"

 

[JughedJones]

C'mon get over that. Golson was legitimately terrible. I'm not sure why people are expecting Marcus Mariota in 2014. Manti got us to Miami last year, not EG.

And now Golson was terrible.


You guys are miserable. Seriously miserable.

You should take up another hobby until next year. Take a friggin break.

 

[Irishman77]

C'mon get over that. Golson was legitimately terrible. I'm not sure why people are expecting Marcus Mariota in 2014. Manti got us to Miami last year, not EG.

Both were great. And both had contagious emotion. Something this Rees debacle lacks!

If u think golson was terrible...ahhh I won't waste my time responding to your garbage. That is insane!

 

[IrishAlum1997]

I'm embarrassed for the fanbase today.

How many times did we sing the Alma Mater after a loss during Lou? How bout ever before 2006?

Oh right.

You guys are acting like Knute installed this along with the forward pass.

Let's bring back Weis. He really 'got it.'

Anywhere in my opinion did I ask for Weis? Certainly not.

Just because it wasn't something done at the turn of last century doesn't mean it's not "tradition." I see it as something that was started as a mutual showing of respect between player and student showing respect to our University. Win or lose, we raise our helmets and show our love and support. Doesn't have to be something we've done for 100 years to be a good idea.

Now I certainly won't guarantee it, but having been in the band during Lou's last 4 years, I recall those teams walking over to the student body win or lose to sing the alma mater as well. If the " policy" was a bit clearer, perhaps I would feel differently. But how it transpired was ill-timed, and as such, projected as a lack of appreciation and support from the team. I think it's reasonable for some of us to be disappointed.

 

[wizards8507]

And both had contagious emotion. Something this Rees debacle lacks!

Well that's a fact. No emotion or leadership on either side of the ball. That's on Kelly, Rees, TJ, Martin, Tuitt, Nix, Jackson, etc.

 

[JughedJones]

Anywhere in my opinion did I ask for Weis? Certainly not.

Just because it wasn't something done at the turn of last century doesn't mean it's not "tradition." I see it as something that was started as a mutual showing of respect between player and student showing respect to our University. Win or lose, we raise our helmets and show our love and support. Doesn't have to be something we've done for 100 years to be a good idea.

Now I certainly won't guarantee it, but having been in the band during Lou's last 4 years, I recall those teams walking over to the student body win or lose to sing the alma mater as well. If the " policy" was a bit clearer, perhaps I would feel differently. But how it transpired was ill-timed, and as such, projected as a lack of appreciation and support from the team. I think it's reasonable for some of us to be disappointed.

Those times that they didn't, did people like the folks on this board call for Lou's head?

This is all ridiculously overblown, and in my opinion, why we can't have nice things.

When we win, well we deserve it... we're ND.. We Should Win!!!!

When we lose? Well, somebody clearly doesn't understand how ND works. Somebody is ****ing with tradition, even if that same coach got us to the NCG the year before.

It's patently ridiculous.

The only reason we're noticing this is because we haven't lost at home in a while. Ridiculous.

 

[Irish Insanity]

Didn't Kelly get rid of the of Mass an hour before the game as well?

 

[JughedJones]

Didn't Kelly get rid of the of Mass an hour before the game as well?

Yeah.

Players can't go to church anymore. It's another one of those awful things that Kelly has done.

He hates Jesus.

 

[IrishAlum1997]

Didn't Kelly get rid of the of Mass an hour before the game as well?

He did, but they are having Mass on Friday night. He did not ignore the importance, and found a way to keep it a part of the team schedule.