Why Notre Dame?

[TDHeysus]

as a kid, I saw Tim Brown and was instantly fascinated by him. But the ND bug still didnt get me yet. I played football at a catholic HS in california, and at the same time I started to like Chris Zorich (bad *** nose guard, belly showing, just an all around *** kicker) and wanted to emulate my game after Zorich.

I can remember thinking, wow, ND is a catholic school, I go to a catolic school; my favorite players were tim brown, and now chris zorich; Zorich played NG, I played NG; My HS colors closely matched ND colors. I thought it was too much of a coincidence and actually remember saying that ND is my team from here on forward(this was a big thing, because my father was/is a USC fan).

I have been a fan since about 1985, and have been an ravenous mega-fan since about 1987.

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

We (my fam), were all born in Dublin, Ireland but my dad spent time in the USAF before I was born. When he came here he gravitated to all things Irish, one beign Notre Dame Football. I came to NY when I was three in 1983 and was immediately plopped on my fathers lap every gameday for 3 hours. There's been many ups and certainly many downs Rrockets run back v Colorado.. clipping and the BC feild goal). I guess Id say ND, most of all has given my father and I a great bond. I am a fan for eternity.

 

[irishtrain]

I grew up near Pittsburgh and at my first game ( late 60's ) I saw people from my home town that I didnt know very well all decked out in Irish gear. I will never forget all those green derbies and buttons. It was like a green New years Eve. Then the team loading up to come onto the field in the tunnel and the sun just gleaming off those helmets--man--what a day. It had a regal feeling like these guys were different.

 

[GoldenChild]

History for me, I grew up in Sac and I wish I had family that went to ND, but nope. I became a fan because I've always loved history and ND has history, and I've just been hooked ever since I became a fan. Plus you gotta love the unis.

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

Maybe better suited for P.M,, but sidenote question, since I have seen it posted more than once on this thread: Irish Catholic. Aren't Irish Catholics Roman Catholics?

I'm not being sarcastic. I simply don't know, and certainly no offense intended to anyone. I just kinda figured every Catholic that follows the Pope is Roman Catholic, regardless of where you are born. (I know there is a better and more accurate way to phrase my question, but I've been up since 3:00 a.m. Tuesday.) I even had this discussion with an Irish friend of mine. Since we both went to the same church, but he called himself Irish Catholic, I asked him, "Aren't you Roman Catholic?" He was adamant that he was Irish Catholic.

What is the difference?

And if anyone has an answer, maybe it is better to send a p.m.

 

[military_irish]

Maybe better suited for P.M,, but sidenote question, since I have seen it posted more than once on this thread: Irish Catholic. Aren't Irish Catholics Roman Catholics?

I'm not being sarcastic. I simply don't know, and certainly no offense intended to anyone. I just kinda figured every Catholic that follows the Pope is Roman Catholic, regardless of where you are born. (I know there is a better and more accurate way to phrase my question, but I've been up since 3:00 a.m. Tuesday.) I even had this discussion with an Irish friend of mine. Since we both went to the same church, but he called himself Irish Catholic, I asked him, "Aren't you Roman Catholic?" He was adamant that he was Irish Catholic.

What is the difference?

And if anyone has an answer, maybe it is better to send a p.m.

I am pretty sure every Catholic is Roman Catholic, but when someone says Irish Catholic it represents that they are of Irish decent. I've heard of Polish Catholics also. It is all the same thing, just has more to do with their heritage than anything.

For instance, in South Bend there are two churches, St. Patricks and St. Hedwigs, which sit right across the street from eachother. St. Patrick's was founded by Irish Catholics and St. Hedwig was founded by Polish Catholics. But they now are under one perish, which resembles to me that they teach the exact same thing. No real difference at all.

 

[knight91]

Don’t post much but was compel to write. I first became a fan in 7th grade when I started attending Holy Cross High School in San Antonio. Learning the history of the Congregation of Holy Cross and being amazed that our little high school was affiliated with such a great and respected university blew me away. I grew up seeing the "Rocket", Tim Brown, etc. I have been a fan ever since. Because of what ND stands for I knew when I had kids they would be introduced to the tradition and history of ND at a young age. My wife, son and daughter all wear ND gear. I took my boy to see ND when they came to San Antonio. We were both so excited. He had so much fun. He was truly excited to see the team. The day before the whole family got to see the "prep rally" in front of the cathedral. I couldn't believe I was hearing the fight song live in front of the cathedral where my wife and I were married 12 years ago. I hope someday in the near future I'll be able to take the family to South Bend and catch a game. That is the one thing I want to do before I die. Forever Irish!

 

[davydoc]

I love Notre Dame, because I'm Irish and so are they, its not just lip service either, they actually use the Irish language there, and I speak it also.I LOVE ND
I also love the tradition that, in my opinion, no where else can touch....and the values that the whole place espouses.....

 

[bkess8]

I love ND because I'm allergic to scUM. Grew up in Indiana and ND is what its all about, the fans, the team, and the TRADITION! GO IRISH!

 

[95NDAlumNM]

I am from new Mexico. Went to catholic school my whole life. Never really followed nd but my senior year in high school my ad who went to nd told me to apply. I did and got accepted and it was the best four years.

 

[military_irish]

I was bored and just looking back at the threads I have started. I noticed the last post on here was almost 2 years ago to the day so I figured I would bump it.

(Must be a sign or something like that)

 

[95NDAlumNM]

I thought I killed this thread 2 years ago.

 

[military_irish]

I thought I killed this thread 2 years ago.

Well it has now been resurrected so you can sleep good tonight knowing you are no longer a murderer.

 

[blueNDgold44]

Grandfather played on the team that broke OU's record winning streak in 1957. Remember sitting on his lap while he told me stories about playing at ND and have been completely in love ever since.

 

[dshans]

Grandfather played on the team that broke OU's record winning streak in 1957. Remember sitting on his lap while he told me stories about playing at ND and have been completely in love ever since.

UNCLE!!!

Ain't no friggin' way you gonna be beat on that!

I wasn't an ND fan until I got final confirmation of my acceptance, drove 1200 miles, spent some time making friends in my dorm, Holy Cross hall and attending my first home game (ND v Purdue) in 1970.

 

[EMAN51]

I lived in SB from '64 to '68, ages 7 to 11. My dad was the headmaster at the Stanley Clark School. I read the Knute Rockne story a hundred times (Gus Dorias and the forward pass). We would go to the campus on occasion. I remember a car show with the Batmobile, one freshman football game against Pitt and going to the basketball post-season event with Coach Johnny Dee and players Bob Arnzen and Bob Whitmore.

This was the period of Ara. Huarte to Snow, Hanratty to Seymour. Nick Eddy, Lynch, Page etc. My folks attended some games courtesy of friends. There is a black and white photo in Life magazine with OJ running the ball and my parents are seen in the background, my mother smoking and my dad looking the wrong way.

We moved at the end of the school year in '69 I believe to Alabama. Indiana had played SC in the '68 Rose Bowl (I think) when they had Isenbarger.

In Alabama, in the early '70s I watched the Texas Cotton Bowl and the 2 bowl games against Bama. I was one of the only kids in my neighborhood pulling for the Irish.

After many moves to different parts of the country, I don't think I missed any games that were televised. The day of my bachelor party was delayed so I could see Rocket return the kickoffs against Michigan.

Of course, Rudy came out which I have seen dozens of times. I guess we all wished we were him.

I have been back twice for football games, once in '90 for the Miami game and again in the late '90s or early 2000's for an SC game with an SC friend. It was the game we were losing at half, and then the wind shifted in the fourth quarter aiding in the comeback win.

Always fond memories.

 

[Bluto]

Background

My mom's family is from Chicago, Irish and or Catholic and are all ND fans. Watched Montana, Rice, Bettis, Rocket on TV growing up.

Today

The fact that they offer 4 year scholarships and that the graduation rate for all of their student athletes is a priority and equitable regardless of race, creed or socio economic background.

 

[koonja]

Skylar Diggins.

 

[Bobias]

I grew up in Fort Wayne, IN.
In a strict catholic household.
I went to catholic grade school.
I grew up cheering for Notre Dame since I was born.
I went to Bishop Dwenger high school and played with John Goodman, Tyler Eifert, and Tony Springmann while I was there.
I became friends with Tyler and Tony and am family friends of the Goodmans.


I really don't think there was a way to not love Notre Dame for me.

 

[LoveThee]

Why Notre Dame? Lets see.

First of all Notre Dame has been a family experience, with my grandfather and great uncle attending. My grandfather left after two years to fight in WW2. He went to D-Day and had awful PTSD and living in NJ, he wanted to be close to relatives and loved ones. He married my grandmother and finished up at Seton Hall. My grandpa loved Notre Dame and there was always a bit of tension between he and my great uncle because he was jealous that my great uncle got to graduate and he did not.

My great uncle often would take my father and I out to games (he had season tickets at the fifty yard line under the press box- boy do I miss those days). He would take us to alumni events on campus, tailgates, etc.

Walking around campus its impossible to not fall in love between the Grotto, Basilica, Golden Dome, the lakes. Its more than that though. There is such a unique aura on campus. A reverence almost.

The people are great and thats what makes the school so fantastic.

At my last visit to campus I prayed at the Grotto and made a deal with God that if I get accepted to ND I would start every day with a prayer at the Grotto and jog around the lakes. Lets hope I get to do it!

Go Irish!

 

[Redbar]

Why Notre Dame? Lets see.

First of all Notre Dame has been a family experience, with my grandfather and great uncle attending. My grandfather left after two years to fight in WW2. He went to D-Day and had awful PTSD and living in NJ, he wanted to be close to relatives and loved one. He married my grandmother and finished up at Seton Hall. My grandpa loved Notre Dame and there was always a bit of tension between he and my great uncle because he was jealous that my great uncle got to graduate and he did not.

My great uncle often would take my father and I out to games (he had season tickets at the fifty yard line under the press box- boy do I miss those days). He would take us to alumni events on campus, tailgates, etc.

Walking around campus its impossible to not fall in love between the Grotto, Basilica, Golden Dome, the lakes. Its more than that though. There is such a unique aura on campus. A reverence almost.

The people are great and thats what makes the school so fantastic.

At my last visit to campus I prayed at the Grotto and made a deal with God that if I get accepted to ND I would start every day with a prayer at the Grotto and jog around the lake. Lets hope I get to do it!

Go Irish!

Good luck, I hope you get your chance to honor that promise.

 

[notredomer23]

sister, dad, and grandpa were are alumni.

I go to Holy Cross.

Not sure if ND is for me, but will forever love the University and what it stands for.

 

[stlnd01]

At my last visit to campus I prayed at the Grotto and made a deal with God that if I get accepted to ND I would start every day with a prayer at the Grotto and jog around the lakes. Lets hope I get to do it!

Go Irish!

Good luck, and God bless.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

My mom's family is 100% Irish Catholic from Scranton, PA (mini version of Boston), where you either were a Notre Dame fan in the Doyle household or you lived on the street. My grandfather was in the local ND club and traveled to South Bend once a year with many others. At his funeral in 2000, we played the ND Alma Mater for the recessional hymn.

I was the first grandchild born, my two uncles indoctrinated me early (I knew the Victory March before my ABC's and have the VHS to prove it), and the rest is history.