Irish football--lowering the bar for all

ddjones007 · 09-15-2007, 04:39 PM

As you watch the latest nationally televised meltdown of the Irish, bear this in mind. Every fumble and hapless attempt at appearing ready for prime time college ball that goes awry narrows the admissions pool just a hair. If they keep this up, there'll be plenty of ND dreams come true! If winning years swell the pool, as has been cited many times, then this pool may be a little more manageable.

For you seniors in high school, this is definitely the silver lining to how this season is shaping to be.

From an alumna of the Gerry Faust era, who came of age when the Irish were known as "masters of the come from ahead loss", I can tell you that ND is still a great place, with much to offer, even if the Irish end up, say, 5-6 and lose in the Liberty Bowl.

I am having flashbacks of bad football and am remembering why it was, by senior year, I used to scalp my tickets for good money, and watch the game while working at Corby's (the old one, not the current one). At least I made some cash...

I hate for the Irish to suck this bad. My son road-tripped to Michigan--hope he keeps his head about him...

notre dame AL · 09-15-2007, 04:55 PM

When they come back--they WILL come back powerful! Lessons are learned when you are down. Keep in mind, ND is a top 20 school academically!

Tim_ND08 · 09-15-2007, 05:09 PM

WOW

It really is getting bad. Many of those outside of the ND community think that football defines Notre Dame. Oh, how wrong they are.

ddjones007 · 09-15-2007, 07:51 PM

Quite honestly, when I look back at the biggest highlights of my four years there, I can't recall many--if any--in which football was involved. And I know the game...

notre dame AL · 09-15-2007, 10:04 PM

I am reminding everyone-esp since I live in football country, not an academic arena, that son is there for academics first, football second! In all seriousness, ddjones is right about the silver lining-I do recall being reminded that apps would be up if there was a winning season. Of course many people associate ND with football, but I hear a lot about what a class act ND is with regard to academics and *football*!

1MX · 09-15-2007, 10:09 PM

I don't understand why ND can't get any good football recruits anymore. Don't these kids want a degree that will actually get them a decent job after college fball?

notre dame AL · 09-15-2007, 10:32 PM

Pro ball and the high salary tag it offers lures many to the game of football post-college (if a contract is not signed before). Not to get too far off topic, but it is troublesome to think that some kids don't graduate with a degree, can only play for a minimal amount of time in the pros and then what? We have always taken the position that no one can ever take away your degree from college, they can certainly take away that pro-football contract!

leaf_vball08 · 09-16-2007, 01:05 AM

ddjones, I was actually thinking about that exact thing today as I watched the game. At first I was thinking that there might be more spots taken away by new football recruits that they'll have to get for next year and about a second later I realized it would probably help. A losing season...or just a season that started 0-3 might defer some potential applicants away.

ddjones007 · 09-16-2007, 01:23 AM

All power to all of you--I hope you ALL get in! Notre Dame is an amazing place, regardless of the gridiron...

Besides, the payback against Michigan is going to be OH so sweet

Since when does a little adversity hurt anyone in the long run. When these kids rise up--and they will rise up--they will have earned it.

Meanwhile, a guy like Demetrius Jones doesn't even have the gumption to tell Charlie Weis to his face that he is transferring. This kid is trading in a Notre Dame education to go to Northern Illinois.

What a fool...

I didn't obsess about going to ND. I took the SAT once, the ACT once and applied to Notre Dame because I had to apply somewhere, and it was the only place out of state my parents would pay the application fee for. There were a lot of things I found wrong with Notre Dame when I was there. Lots of things I won't share online that have to do with being in a pioneering class of co-education. Lots of things that a bunch of priests back then just didn't understand; things that would never happen today...

In sum, I kind of ended up there because I had to go somewhere. I've grown to love the place, although I couldn't wait to leave it at the time. I can't even begin to explain how deep the ties are, and how they continue...and flourish, well into middle-age. It is very cool to have a university you can truly feel a part of, and truly grow from, this many years later. To have two kids there just adds to it all.

Notre Dame is so much more than just a university or just a football school. It is a preparation for life, and a lifetime network...

PutschCasusBelli · 09-16-2007, 04:05 AM

Example of ddjones' point: I watched the game in a room of like 20 people, and after the game, despite the loss, we all put our arms around one another and sang the alma mater. We still love Notre Dame and all she stands for, and we still support our team, even in these trying times.

Tim_ND08 · 09-16-2007, 12:09 PM

^^^ PCB, thats awesome

vzu15 · 09-16-2007, 01:22 PM

this thread is just going to get my hopes up...shame on all of you

ddjones007 · 09-16-2007, 01:36 PM

I have yet to hear from my son, who spent a wad of cash to road trip to Michigan for the game. I'm giving him a 24-hour cool-off period.

Irishcali · 09-17-2007, 12:11 PM

Oh kudos to your son, dd for making the trip...I sat next to the Michigan student section last year...and suffice it to say, we actually left early due to the constant jeering we received! (and this was big 'cause my h NEVER leaves a game early!) They were awful...and I'm talking about those students from Ann Arbor~I hope your son made it back alive! Grrrr!

shellzie2006 · 09-17-2007, 04:57 PM

People don't come to Notre Dame to be fair weather fans. People here support the Fighting Irish because they love Notre Dame, not the other way around. unfortunately, my cousin was right when he warned me last year, they will break your heart...