Recall your first ND experience..

[zcoult41]

I had the chance to go to Notre Dame again this weekend. Aside from the loss I had a great experience as I usually do when I visit the campus. Hoping to hear from many other Irish fans and followers about their first Notre Dame experience or most memorable trip. Not neccesairly football. Just your first experience that stands out. Possibly include things like what you were there for, what it was like, how you fealt, and most memorable thing from visit. Oh, and drink of choice! I think it would be cool to hear about everyones memories.....Maybe share the experience with Irish fans who aren't as lucky to make it to a game for whatever reason.

My most memorable game was not my first trip. It was a game vs UCLA a few years back. The pre game festivities were great! I remember walking around the campus like usual. The sights of touchdown Jesus, the golden dome, and the Fighting Irish Marching Band are second to none. The game was awesome. It was a Brady Quinn to shark touchdown pass late in the game that proved to be the game winner. It was great! Oh, my drink of choice was Mt.Dew!

 

[blue in ohio]

That would be the 1988 game where Reggie Ho did nothing but kick long field goals to steal the game. it was just the beginning. ND went on to steal the 89 game with no offense and 2 kick off returns for td and 90 game with a last second comeback. I learned to like and appreciate ND for what a great school and tradition they are and although I sure do hope we win saturday I hope for nothing more than ND to win all the rest this year. I'd like to see a return to strong football up north once again and see the game mean something like it used to. Lately we both stink so hopefully it gets better.

 

[zcoult41]

That would be the 1988 game where Reggie Ho did nothing but kick long field goals to steal the game. it was just the beginning. ND went on to steal the 89 game with no offense and 2 kick off returns for td and 90 game with a last second comeback. I learned to like and appreciate ND for what a great school and tradition they are and although I sure do hope we win saturday I hope for nothing more than ND to win all the rest this year. I'd like to see a return to strong football up north once again and see the game mean something like it used to. Lately we both stink so hopefully it gets better.

Yeah, no kidding!

 

[gkautz10]

i dont really remember my first time it was when i was a little kid. but probably my most memorable ND football moment would be watching them kick the crap out of the U in El Paso. First trip to Texas and i experienced the snow. I also got to witness a fight between a ND fan wearing a Montana jersey and a Miami fan. That was pretty sweet and I am pretty sure the ND fan won by TKO. My most memorable ND moment in general would be when the bball team beat Alabama at home. At the time Bama was ranked number 2 in the country and i rushed the court and russell carter put his arm around me and we snuck behind him while he was doing an interview with ESPN. I always get the chills when attending games and it never gets old. Forever an irish fan no matter what happens.

 

[zcoult41]

i dont really remember my first time it was when i was a little kid. but probably my most memorable ND football moment would be watching them kick the crap out of the U in El Paso. First trip to Texas and i experienced the snow. I also got to witness a fight between a ND fan wearing a Montana jersey and a Miami fan. That was pretty sweet and I am pretty sure the ND fan won by TKO. My most memorable ND moment in general would be when the bball team beat Alabama at home. At the time Bama was ranked number 2 in the country and i rushed the court and russell carter put his arm around me and we snuck behind him while he was doing an interview with ESPN. I always get the chills when attending games and it never gets old. Forever an irish fan no matter what happens.

I was at that game too! Rushed the court as well! Amazing. And speaking of the chill, the fly over Saturday! Just closed my eyes and felt the jets fly overhead with the sound of the band playing the ending to the National Anthem..That could be one of my most memorable moments at ND Stadium too. Woo man

 

[gkautz10]

I was at that game too! Rushed the court as well! Amazing. And speaking of the chill, the fly over Saturday! Just closed my eyes and felt the jets fly overhead with the sound of the band playing the ending to the National Anthem..That could be one of my most memorable moments at ND Stadium too. Woo man

agreed with the flyover. 1st time i have witnessed a flyover at ND.

 

[BurningRiver]

To be honest, my first ND memory was in 2006 when ND was about to play OSU in the Fiesta Bowl. I was in Florida, and about to catch a plane back to Ohio. Because Christmas Break was just wrapping up, there were a ton of OSU students returning to school after their vacations in Florida. It was the night of the Fiesta Bowl, and when OSU won, the pilot went over the PA to announce that OSU won--the place went crazy. I was asleep and the yelling woke me up. That's when I began to hate OSU fans.

My first memory of watching ND was in 2006 when they were opening at GT and I was at my friend's house (an ND household) and they asked if I wanted to stick around and watch the game with them. I got really into it and haven't willingly missed an ND game since.

Keep in mind I'm only 16

 

[AKRowdy]

My first ND experience was when I was young I would watch Rudy almost every weekend and then I would also watch every game. Then in 2001 I got to go to my first game which was against USC. The atmosphere on gameday and the beauty of the campus made me a solid fan for life, even through the rough patches I defend ND.

 

[BobD]

My first ND experience? Well,......she was a Sophomore on spring break : )

 

[Riddickulous]

Didn't really care about football until 6-7 years ago. For a brief period (I was like 9) I considered myself a Miami Hurricanes "fan", barely able to name 5 starters and only liking them because they were the dominant team in that period (this was 2001, the year they dominated everyone) also because I liked the Miami Dolphins and was a "fan" (again, not really) of the sports team of the city (odd because I live in Michigan). I never even watched a full Miami game during that period (parts of the 2001 national title game and about a quarter of an '03 game vs. Florida). The only game featuring Miami that I've seen in its entirety was the Sun Bowl.

Sometime between the 2004 season and the 2005 season, I decided for whatever reason to start following Notre Dame football. Probably because my father and brother are fans. I watched most of the games from 2005-2006, oftentimes turning it off and wandering off to do something else if the game was well in hand. Haven't missed a game since the start of the 2007 season ('cept the 2007 UCLA game, since it wasn't on TV here). I was a massive homer. Thought Quinn, Shark, Walker, Carlson, Zbikowski were the best players in the country at their respective positions.

Have really brushed up on my football knowledge and my knowledge of Notre Dame football history since then.

 

[Brutus]

Went to my first Notre Dame game a few years ago, the year they went 3-9 (Clausen's freshman year, no?). Well, I got to see them win, 20-3 over Duke.

I don't know if it was raining or not, but it was a lgoomy day. We "sat" behind the band, so we had to stand the entire time. Not that bad, but it was weird since, well I wasn't a student at ND. Went to a game the next year in October and it was much better, campus looked alive, leaves changing, etc...



No matter people's opinions on Notre Dame, I think everyone should experience a Saturday game day there.

 

[D-BOE34]

Ran across 2 tickets for free last minute friday. In 1 hour I booked a room and packed my stuff up, threw the wife in the car, called on some fam to drop the dogs off at and headed to south bend. Experienced the longest game in history, horrid mistakes and a loss that I will always consider the first ND scrimmage I have ever attended or heard of against another team! The 22 hours on the road in 48 hours was worth it. I will admit ... had I not been on a bus with other folks, I would have cried when I first saw the Golden Dome. It was my first time ever. I got teary eyed for sure. All in all, I got a small glimpse of what to look forward to every year from here on out. To top it off, it was my 1 year wedding anniversary. (Sunday)

Yes, last year I had my wedding on season opener but my wife was very kind in making sure we squeeze in some game time between wedding and reception.


Can't wait to go back for all the friday and saturday festivities during Navy game weekend!

 

[ulukinatme]

agreed with the flyover. 1st time i have witnessed a flyover at ND.

I got a video of the flyover last Saturday. I've been lazy about uploading it to Youtube though because the game left a sour taste

 

[Irish_Mike]

I really don't remember my first game because I think I was 6 at the time, but my most memorable game was the Miami game in 88'. I worked for Redden travel at the time parking cars in Orange field (doesn't exist anymore) and I was the supervisor on the field so I was able to get a field pass for the games. I had to sit in the end zone bleacher seats on the north side of the stadium and they were the perfect seats to see the pass break up at the end of the game to give ND the win!!

I also remember this game because I won 250 bucks on a board because I had 1-0 and 0-1. Didn't think I would win until the final score was 31-30 ND!! All around a great game!

 

[Irish_Mike]

Flyover

Flyover

I got a video of the flyover last Saturday. I've been lazy about uploading it to Youtube though because the game left a sour taste

Love the E/A-18 Growlers!! I was in the Navy on the USS George Washington (CVN-73) and we had the F/A-18 Hornets at the time and EA-6B Prowlers for electronic jamming. It was nice to hear the familiar sound of the engines as they were flying over. I told my wife before we saw them that they sounded like hornets before they made the announcement.

 

[arndtjc]

Ahhhh, the year was 2010, it had been a rough start to the season, but I finally had enough cash to make the pilgrimage to Notre Dame Stadium.

I looked on the ND ticket website early one week before I got paid, just to see what was available, and there were tickets in the upper bowl at face value for the Utah game, and I was perfectly fine with that as I didn't care because I was FINALLY going to see a game in South Bend. When I got paid that Friday, I went to purchase the tickets, and the first set of three that came up, were Section 18, Field Level Row 5. My eyes lit up wide and I immediately entered my card information. I couldn't believe I was going to see my first ND football game from 5 rows back from the end zone.

Me and my two buddies (U$C fans, but along for the ride and experience) packed up and headed out early Friday morning, about a 9 hour drive from Omaha, NE to our hotel which was about 40 minutes outside South Bend. Upon arrival on Saturday, we park and walk to campus. Immediately, a feeling rushed onto me as if some mysterious power had taken over, as I smiled ear to ear, and had goosebumps for the first two hours. We walked the campus, took in the sights and sounds, and grabbed a Knights of Columbus steak sandwich, thanks to suggestions from the good people at Irish Envy. We made our way to the Knute Rockne Gate, got a picture with the legend, and proceeded inside the most storied stadium in college football history. As we walked down the stairs, we asked an usher where our seats were and as we followed, we passed up the fifth row, until we were actually on the field! I couldn't believe it, and when I got to my seat, I couldn't help but shed a few tears.

Expecting the worse, I was fortunate enough to see a punt block returned for a touchdown 20 feet away from me, and witnessed the turnaround of the Notre Dame Football program, in a 28-3 drubbing of #15 Utah. I will never forget November 13th 2010, and I cannot wait until I return to South Bend for another game at Notre Dame Stadium!

 

[GoldenDomer2357]

I have had many wonderful ND experiences. Inheriting the carved wooden leprechaun from my great great grandfather that we place on top of the TV every game day. Getting the real-life Rudy to sign a replica "Play Like A Champion" sign for a Father's Day gift for my dad. The first time I watched Rudy which was coincidentally the first time I saw my dad tear up.
However, last season I saw Notre Dame play Navy in Jersey. We got stomped by their running game, but the day was amazing. I went with my dad, my uncle, and a bunch of my dad's college buddies. They made corned beef sliders for the Irish fans and Navy bean soup for the Navy fans. The only available beverages beginning at 9am in the parking lot were Jameson on the rocks and Guinness. But anyway, we were feeling quite good by the 12 o clock kick off and were about to miss it. My dad and I starting bolting to the stadium with my uncle close behind. Right before I reached the stadium, I was almost run over by a golf cart in the parking lot. With my hands on the hood of the cart, I look at the party in the two seats. The driver I do not recognize. The passenger I have seen a few times. It was Regis Philbin. I said "Regis! Why aren't you at the game?!" He kindly said back "Well I'm tryin' to get there! I'll see ya after the game!"

 

[Te'o4Heisman]

Ahhhh, the year was 2010, it had been a rough start to the season, but I finally had enough cash to make the pilgrimage to Notre Dame Stadium.

I looked on the ND ticket website early one week before I got paid, just to see what was available, and there were tickets in the upper bowl at face value for the Utah game, and I was perfectly fine with that as I didn't care because I was FINALLY going to see a game in South Bend. When I got paid that Friday, I went to purchase the tickets, and the first set of three that came up, were Section 18, Field Level Row 5. My eyes lit up wide and I immediately entered my card information. I couldn't believe I was going to see my first ND football game from 5 rows back from the end zone.

Me and my two buddies (U$C fans, but along for the ride and experience) packed up and headed out early Friday morning, about a 9 hour drive from Omaha, NE to our hotel which was about 40 minutes outside South Bend. Upon arrival on Saturday, we park and walk to campus. Immediately, a feeling rushed onto me as if some mysterious power had taken over, as I smiled ear to ear, and had goosebumps for the first two hours. We walked the campus, took in the sights and sounds, and grabbed a Knights of Columbus steak sandwich, thanks to suggestions from the good people at Irish Envy. We made our way to the Knute Rockne Gate, got a picture with the legend, and proceeded inside the most storied stadium in college football history. As we walked down the stairs, we asked an usher where our seats were and as we followed, we passed up the fifth row, until we were actually on the field! I couldn't believe it, and when I got to my seat, I couldn't help but shed a few tears.

Expecting the worse, I was fortunate enough to see a punt block returned for a touchdown 20 feet away from me, and witnessed the turnaround of the Notre Dame Football program, in a 28-3 drubbing of #15 Utah. I will never forget November 13th 2010, and I cannot wait until I return to South Bend for another game at Notre Dame Stadium!

Awesome stuff. That was a special day to attend. The weather was so awful, but I have been to many games at ND Stadium and can not remember a single game where the electricity and excitment in the stadium compared to that day.

 

[IndyIrishFan1]

Boston College, 1993 - First row above the tunnel. Need I say more?

 

[Irish Insanity]

Boston College, 1993 - First row above the tunnel. Need I say more?

The first game I took my son to was a few years back against Washington. We had front row seats next to the tunnel. We love it. He got to smack the players helmets as the came thru the tunnel. It was an overtime game and it was played in our endzone. ND caught the game winning TD right in front of our face and Washington dropped their tying attempt their too. And my son even caught a players wristband as they tossed it entering the tunnel. Unforgetable.

 

[zcoult41]

To be honest, my first ND memory was in 2006 when ND was about to play OSU in the Fiesta Bowl. I was in Florida, and about to catch a plane back to Ohio. Because Christmas Break was just wrapping up, there were a ton of OSU students returning to school after their vacations in Florida. It was the night of the Fiesta Bowl, and when OSU won, the pilot went over the PA to announce that OSU won--the place went crazy. I was asleep and the yelling woke me up. That's when I began to hate OSU fans.

My first memory of watching ND was in 2006 when they were opening at GT and I was at my friend's house (an ND household) and they asked if I wanted to stick around and watch the game with them. I got really into it and haven't willingly missed an ND game since.

Keep in mind I'm only 16

OSU fans are terrible. Should have punched them in the FACE!!!

 

[zcoult41]

Ran across 2 tickets for free last minute friday. In 1 hour I booked a room and packed my stuff up, threw the wife in the car, called on some fam to drop the dogs off at and headed to south bend. Experienced the longest game in history, horrid mistakes and a loss that I will always consider the first ND scrimmage I have ever attended or heard of against another team! The 22 hours on the road in 48 hours was worth it. I will admit ... had I not been on a bus with other folks, I would have cried when I first saw the Golden Dome. It was my first time ever. I got teary eyed for sure. All in all, I got a small glimpse of what to look forward to every year from here on out. To top it off, it was my 1 year wedding anniversary. (Sunday)

Yes, last year I had my wedding on season opener but my wife was very kind in making sure we squeeze in some game time between wedding and reception.


Can't wait to go back for all the friday and saturday festivities during Navy game weekend!

Thats awesome! Dedication for sure! Happy anniversary..go Irish...

 

[ErieIrish13]

The first game I took my son to was a few years back against Washington. We had front row seats next to the tunnel. We love it. He got to smack the players helmets as the came thru the tunnel. It was an overtime game and it was played in our endzone. ND caught the game winning TD right in front of our face and Washington dropped their tying attempt their too. And my son even caught a players wristband as they tossed it entering the tunnel. Unforgetable.

So you saw McCarthy knock the UW reciever out lol. Must have been awesome.

 

[zcoult41]

Ahhhh, the year was 2010, it had been a rough start to the season, but I finally had enough cash to make the pilgrimage to Notre Dame Stadium.

I looked on the ND ticket website early one week before I got paid, just to see what was available, and there were tickets in the upper bowl at face value for the Utah game, and I was perfectly fine with that as I didn't care because I was FINALLY going to see a game in South Bend. When I got paid that Friday, I went to purchase the tickets, and the first set of three that came up, were Section 18, Field Level Row 5. My eyes lit up wide and I immediately entered my card information. I couldn't believe I was going to see my first ND football game from 5 rows back from the end zone.

Me and my two buddies (U$C fans, but along for the ride and experience) packed up and headed out early Friday morning, about a 9 hour drive from Omaha, NE to our hotel which was about 40 minutes outside South Bend. Upon arrival on Saturday, we park and walk to campus. Immediately, a feeling rushed onto me as if some mysterious power had taken over, as I smiled ear to ear, and had goosebumps for the first two hours. We walked the campus, took in the sights and sounds, and grabbed a Knights of Columbus steak sandwich, thanks to suggestions from the good people at Irish Envy. We made our way to the Knute Rockne Gate, got a picture with the legend, and proceeded inside the most storied stadium in college football history. As we walked down the stairs, we asked an usher where our seats were and as we followed, we passed up the fifth row, until we were actually on the field! I couldn't believe it, and when I got to my seat, I couldn't help but shed a few tears.

Expecting the worse, I was fortunate enough to see a punt block returned for a touchdown 20 feet away from me, and witnessed the turnaround of the Notre Dame Football program, in a 28-3 drubbing of #15 Utah. I will never forget November 13th 2010, and I cannot wait until I return to South Bend for another game at Notre Dame Stadium!

Thats what it's all about man! Where do we find the Knights of Columbus steak sandwhiches though!

 

[zcoult41]

I have had many wonderful ND experiences. Inheriting the carved wooden leprechaun from my great great grandfather that we place on top of the TV every game day. Getting the real-life Rudy to sign a replica "Play Like A Champion" sign for a Father's Day gift for my dad. The first time I watched Rudy which was coincidentally the first time I saw my dad tear up.
However, last season I saw Notre Dame play Navy in Jersey. We got stomped by their running game, but the day was amazing. I went with my dad, my uncle, and a bunch of my dad's college buddies. They made corned beef sliders for the Irish fans and Navy bean soup for the Navy fans. The only available beverages beginning at 9am in the parking lot were Jameson on the rocks and Guinness. But anyway, we were feeling quite good by the 12 o clock kick off and were about to miss it. My dad and I starting bolting to the stadium with my uncle close behind. Right before I reached the stadium, I was almost run over by a golf cart in the parking lot. With my hands on the hood of the cart, I look at the party in the two seats. The driver I do not recognize. The passenger I have seen a few times. It was Regis Philbin. I said "Regis! Why aren't you at the game?!" He kindly said back "Well I'm tryin' to get there! I'll see ya after the game!"

Thats classic! Where was Kelly?

 

[GoldenDomer2357]

Hahaha Kelly was nowhere to be found.....unfortunately.