Great blog post on Irish bucking "traditionalists"

[50milesSE ND]

great read agree 100%

 

[GreatGolson]

i keep going back to this, but Michigan is a traditional program, that has done the jumbotron perfectly, this is how it should be done by ND, no ads, just the ND logo here and there, and a play clock in the corner

 

[Al H.]

i keep going back to this, but Michigan is a traditional program, that has done the jumbotron perfectly, this is how it should be done by ND, no ads, just the ND logo here and there, and a play clock in the corner

Jumbotron-yuck! But, if it must be, try it at the South end of the stadium, it cannot impair the view to the Dome or Touchdown Jesus. At the south end it will be mostly back lit by the sun and is better for viewing than in any other position in the stadium. the sun creates glare and reduces the image definition.
The fake-ish turf, same thing, if the players like it, give it a try. Match the color of the real N.D. turf as close as possible.
If both ideas fail, then can be reversed.

Notre Dame must never, NEVER be in a conference. Our entire tradition and history is shaped largely on our singular position in college football as an independent. It's our identity to many people, fans and opponents alike. NEVER! NEVER! NEVER! You reading this Jack Swarbrick? It'll never be any A.D.'s job at Notre Dame to mess with that tradition, so don't even go there. A.D.'s come and go, Notre Dame's indy status is above their pay scale.

 

[RallySonsOfND]

i keep going back to this, but Michigan is a traditional program, that has done the jumbotron perfectly, this is how it should be done by ND, no ads, just the ND logo here and there, and a play clock in the corner

I think I would rather have a more rectangular shaped one than a square. I'm thinking it would be neat to 4, one in each corner.

 

[Rhode Irish]

Jumbotron-yuck! But, if it must be, try it at the South end of the stadium, it cannot impair the view to the Dome or Touchdown Jesus. At the south end it will be mostly back lit by the sun and is better for viewing than in any other position in the stadium. the sun creates glare and reduces the image definition.
The fake-ish turf, same thing, if the players like it, give it a try. Match the color of the real N.D. turf as close as possible.
If both ideas fail, then can be reversed.

Notre Dame must never, NEVER be in a conference. Our entire tradition and history is shaped largely on our singular position in college football as an independent. It's our identity to many people, fans and opponents alike. NEVER! NEVER! NEVER! You reading this Jack Swarbrick? It'll never be any A.D.'s job at Notre Dame to mess with that tradition, so don't even go there. A.D.'s come and go, Notre Dame's indy status is above their pay scale.

One of the most ignorant posts ever. ND must never join a conference, even if the college landscape evolves to the point that it is clearly and undeniably in ND's best interest to do so? What if there are four conferences, no OOC games, and the winners of each conference play a four team playoff for the national championship? You'd still rather cling to "tradition" than join a conference, even if it means you can no longer play any of your rivals or compete for a championship? That is the epitome of the idiotic, self-destructive stubborness that exists with certain ND fans.

All things being equal, I'd rather not join a conference. But to say they can "NEVER! NEVER! NEVER!" join a conference is a joke.

 

[Al H.]

I think I would rather have a more rectangular shaped one than a square. I'm thinking it would be neat to 4, one in each corner.

So we go from none to four??? The northeast corner would obstruct the view of the Dome. Let's no say we do that, please. One is plenty, at the south end. It is Jumbo after all. Why do we want four Jumbo's? So you super size at McDonald's? That's just a little joke.

I hope your Lion's take it all this year, that's a `real' America's team!

 

[GreatGolson]

ok thanks Al H, you can go back to NDNation now

 

[NankerPhelge]

Wow! Even an old guy like me agrees with every word of this blog. Just so long as we realize that all the proposed new innovations must contribute to, not substitute for the ultimate tradition...excellence on the football field.

 

[Al H.]

One of the most ignorant posts ever. ND must never join a conference, even if the college landscape evolves to the point that it is clearly and undeniably in ND's best interest to do so? What if there are four conferences, no OOC games, and the winners of each conference play a four team playoff for the national championship? You'd still rather cling to "tradition" than join a conference, even if it means you can no longer play any of your rivals or compete for a championship? That is the epitome of the idiotic, self-destructive stubborness that exists with certain ND fans.

All things being equal, I'd rather not join a conference. But to say they can "NEVER! NEVER! NEVER!" join a conference is a joke.

It isn't `idiotic' to think this way nor is it a `joke'. The conferences have never meant anything in a National Championship context to a Notre Dame team that finishes the season undefeated. If a championship series is ever set up so that only 4 conferences compete for the title at the exclusion of an Independent like N.D. we can reconsider at that time. A time I suspect we'll never see. And there's no situ on the current horizon line that would change that. If we succumb to joining a conference that's when we would have to drop games with certain rivals because we busy up the schedule playing mostly the conference competition.

 

[Rhode Irish]

It isn't `idiotic' to think this way nor is it a `joke'. The conferences have never meant anything in a National Championship context to a Notre Dame team that finishes the season undefeated. If a championship series is ever set up so that only 4 conferences compete for the title at the exclusion of an Independent like N.D. we can reconsider at that time. A time I suspect we'll never see. And there's no situ on the current horizon line that would change that. If we succumb to joining a conference that's when we would have to drop games with certain rivals because we busy up the schedule playing mostly the conference competition.

You said never. Actually, you said "NEVER! NEVER! NEVER!"

So I presented a scenario in which it would make sense. You don't think that scenario is likely. I think it is more likely than you think. Either way, my point was that it is idiotic to so fetishize any one element of what you consider our tradition that you would actually harm the program in order to protect it. I think a lot of the NDNation-type of fans do exactly that.

 

[hack15]

great post!

 

[Al H.]

You said never. Actually, you said "NEVER! NEVER! NEVER!"

So I presented a scenario in which it would make sense. You don't think that scenario is likely. I think it is more likely than you think. Either way, my point was that it is idiotic to so fetishize any one element of what you consider our tradition that you would actually harm the program in order to protect it. I think a lot of the NDNation-type of fans do exactly that.

Hi Rhode,
I did say NEVER NEVER NEVER because I mean it. Come on, I'm going in on the Jumbotron and fake grass. I'll try new stuff. But, joining a conference? I've got too many years of great memories of us as an indy.

 

[ShamrockOnHelmet]

I think I would rather have a more rectangular shaped one than a square. I'm thinking it would be neat to 4, one in each corner.

I don't know about four, but you could easily do two, one in the northeast corner, the other in the southwest. It works well at Lucas Oil Stadium, for example. That might be the best setup at ND stadium

 

[CelticChanter]

Hi Rhode,
I did say NEVER NEVER NEVER because I mean it. Come on, I'm going in on the Jumbotron and fake grass. I'll try new stuff. But, joining a conference? I've got too many years of great memories of us as an indy.

As if that matters?

 

[Al H.]

ok thanks Al H, you can go back to NDNation now

lol. I'll pop a couple of Geritol first to help me stay awake for the trip.

 

[Al H.]

As if that matters?

You know I think you've hit on it. It IS something that matters. My first experience with Notre Dame football was a game I listened to on the radio with my Dad....in 1959! Been there ever since. His brother went to school there in the late 1920's. Their sister was killed in an auto accident in the late '40's, coming back to central New York from a game in South Bend. My family has blood on the tracks in this thing.
Notre Dame has been an Independent program for over a hundred years and those of us still around who remember a big chunk of that history know why their independence matters. So, try to keep an open mind to an idea that has already proven itself from a time long before either of us were even born. Tradition? Doesn't that `matter'?

 

[Al H.]

I don't know about four, but you could easily do two, one in the northeast corner, the other in the southwest. It works well at Lucas Oil Stadium, for example. That might be the best setup at ND stadium

Earlier I messed up and referred to the North East corner as blocking the Dome. I meant North West. Overall, I think the tron needs to be on the south side, again for tech reasons; less glare from the sun. Of course people under it won't see jack, so maybe another one in the North East corner like you're saying. I can't believe I said that, but, there you go.

 

[CelticChanter]

You know I think you've hit on it. It IS something that matters. My first experience with Notre Dame football was a game I listened to on the radio with my Dad....in 1959! Been there ever since. His brother went to school there in the late 1920's. Their sister was killed in an auto accident in the late '40's, coming back to central New York from a game in South Bend. My family has blood on the tracks in this thing.
Notre Dame has been an Independent program for over a hundred years and those of us still around who remember a big chunk of that history know why their independence matters. So, try to keep an open mind to an idea that has already proven itself from a time long before either of us were even born. Tradition? Doesn't that `matter'?

None of what you spoke about above has anything to do with an independent schedule. It's an anecdotal sob story.

 

[kmoose]

You know I think you've hit on it. It IS something that matters. My first experience with Notre Dame football was a game I listened to on the radio with my Dad....in 1959! Been there ever since. His brother went to school there in the late 1920's. Their sister was killed in an auto accident in the late '40's, coming back to central New York from a game in South Bend. My family has blood on the tracks in this thing.
Notre Dame has been an Independent program for over a hundred years and those of us still around who remember a big chunk of that history know why their independence matters. So, try to keep an open mind to an idea that has already proven itself from a time long before either of us were even born. Tradition? Doesn't that `matter'?

Cry me a f'in river. I'm sorry to hear about your aunt. I had a cousin that died driving home from a Bon Jovi concert. That doesn't make me invested in Bon Jovi. Everyone has their football traditions. My ND history goes back to watching games with my grandfather. I'm all for maintaining traditions that reinforce the ideals that ND stands for. But I'm not arrogant enough to believe that my opinions on such things really matter to anyone but myself.

 

[CelticChanter]

Also, even if ND joins a conference they could conceivabley still play a national schedule. Keeps USC, keep Michigan, possibly keep Stanford and mix in a service academy each season and still have room to play conference games.

Does anyone really give to shits if we keep Purdue on the schedule or even Michigan State if it means going to someplace like the ACC and replacing them with Miami, FSU, etc?

 

[Al H.]

Cry me a f'in river. I'm sorry to hear about your aunt. I had a cousin that died driving home from a Bon Jovi concert. That doesn't make me invested in Bon Jovi. Everyone has their football traditions. My ND history goes back to watching games with my grandfather. I'm all for maintaining traditions that reinforce the ideals that ND stands for. But I'm not arrogant enough to believe that my opinions on such things really matter to anyone but myself.

The written word can come across a lot of different ways as we all know. You can't hear my voice to understand me more clearly I think. I don't in the least feel arrogant about my opinion, it's just simply my opinion. I firmly believe it , but I'm not intending to be arrogant about it. Just providing some back story so you have a bit of context for what my opinion is, that's all. As far as not believing that your opinions mean anything to anybody, but yourself, then explain to me the meaning of ANY of these posts. All any of it is is OUR opinions. I'd like to start a groundswell of support for the `don't let N.D. join a conference' opinion. I'd like to hear from people who agree with me so we all have a better idea of the N.D. Nation's feelings on the subject.

 

[Al H.]

None of what you spoke about above has anything to do with an independent schedule. It's an anecdotal sob story.

Read the original comments, that's where the content about Independent Scheduling is. Not trying to lay a sob story on you, just providing context from my life so you can understand me better. I hope I haven't offended you.

 

[CelticChanter]

Read the original comments, that's where the content about Independent Scheduling is. Not trying to lay a sob story on you, just providing context from my life so you can understand me better. I hope I haven't offended you.

I don't understand why your aunt's car accident etc. has anything to do with your memories of them as an Indy and how that prevents you from wanting them to do anything else?

 

[kmoose]

The written word can come across a lot of different ways as we all know. You can't hear my voice to understand me more clearly I think. I don't in the least feel arrogant about my opinion, it's just simply my opinion. I firmly believe it , but I'm not intending to be arrogant about it. Just providing some back story so you have a bit of context for what my opinion is, that's all. As far as not believing that your opinions mean anything to anybody, but yourself, then explain to me the meaning of ANY of these posts. All any of it is is OUR opinions. I'd like to start a groundswell of support for the `don't let N.D. join a conference' opinion. I'd like to hear from people who agree with me so we all have a better idea of the N.D. Nation's feelings on the subject.

I don't want to try to speak for others here, but I think the general consensus is that we all would like to see ND remain independent, right up until it would exclude us from consideration for the National Championship. At that point, I think most of us would understand the administration deciding to join a conference.

 

[Rhode Irish]

I don't want to try to speak for others here, but I think the general consensus is that we all would like to see ND remain independent, right up until it would exclude us from consideration for the National Championship. At that point, I think most of us would understand the administration deciding to join a conference.

I think you've pretty much got it, moose.

 

[irishtrinity]

Big 10 or none..

I would hate to be ACC..

 

[salveamicus]

I hope ND joins the ACC. I live in Virginia, and would love to see an ND-VT game every year, just to **** off all the folks in VA that worship Virginia Tech.

In addition, I think ACC is a forward moving conference which will get stronger as the years go by. Plus, ND seems to be recruiting a lot more players out of the eastern states than in the mid-west.

I'd like to see ND and Rutgers come to the ACC.

 

[Al H.]

I don't want to try to speak for others here, but I think the general consensus is that we all would like to see ND remain independent, right up until it would exclude us from consideration for the National Championship. At that point, I think most of us would understand the administration deciding to join a conference.

I can live with that.

 

[Al H.]

I don't understand why your aunt's car accident etc. has anything to do with your memories of them as an Indy and how that prevents you from wanting them to do anything else?

Celtic I can't believe it. I just wrote a 1000 word essay to first, agree with you that you're right, my aunt's car reference was awkward and off topic. i only referred to it to create a sense of those ghosts out there who once enjoyed the game we enjoy so much now and when they did, we were independent's. Then I gave a slew of real reasons I think our University and team have as their identity, an independent tradition. To sell it out to a conference will amputate that important part of our identity. Also, we don't really fully understand how it might impact our NBC deal etcetera. When I hit `submit' the server failed and chewed my essay!!! I tried every trick I could think of to find it, but nothing worked. I'm bagged for now I can't do it again, but some day I'll write down what I think on the topic with a focus on the relevant issues and post it somewhere out here. The issue isn't going away any time soon is it?
In the mean time I'll roll with Moose's last post and to you I'm sorry this response to your latest post is so feeble. My original was awesome, unfortunately, I'm the only one who knows it.

 

[MNIrishman]

As an ND alum who attends a big ten grad school, I agree with moose. Being able to win a national championship is the most important thing, even above independence. If the Irish join a conference, I sincerely hope it is not this one. The big ten are a bunch of midwestern schools. ND is a national school that happens to be in the Midwest. I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. I'll be a buckeye til the day I die. I respect the big ten more than any other conference. However, I hope I never see the Irish here. We don't belong.

PS
Notre Dame trumps OSU any day of the week in every way. Don't think from my post that I put the school I grew up with above the school I call home.