The life of an Irish fan - bluengold34's Blog

bluengold34's Blog

The life of an Irish fan

Posted on November 10, 2008 at 10:14 AM.

(3)

Growing up in South Bend it's as if it was pre-determined that the Irish would be in my blood. Walking out of My front door, I could just barely see the sun glimmer off the Golden Dome, and Im' sure you can imagine the impact that has on a young boy. At the age of 6, I watched the like's of Joe Montana,Dave Waymer, Joe Yonto and Head Coach Dan Devine win a National Championship in 1977. They set the table for other great's such as Tim Brown, Mike and Bob Golic, Rocket Ismail, Chris Zorich, Michael Stonebreaker, Ryan Grant, Brady Quinn etc,etc.

Having Season Tickets in row 27 seats 1 and 2 right behind the tunnel, preceeded by Field tickets in which I was lucky enough to stand on the sidelines next to the team for 2 years. Seeing games such as Florida State in 93, Miami in 91, Penn State, Tennessee, Michigan and USC walk through the tunnel brought chills and memories that will never be replaced. Having breakfast with Lou Holtz and his wife right before they took the field at the Big House and won 27-23. These are all events that have turned the Irish into more than just a team, but a part of my life filled with passion, tradition and history.

The last 15 years have been very tough, watching college football pass the Irish by. Bad decision's on coaching hires, having the wrong kids, or not of enough of the "right" kids have been tough to stomach and hard to handle. Seeing the rest of the country take it's turn and mocking the Irish, hearing how they been passed by and are no longer truly relevant in the sport. It would be easy to jump ship, and find the next great team and tradition. When things are this tough, it's then, that I fall back on those images of seeing Tim Brown return a kick off, or Rocket return a punt, or the smell, sounds and excitement that reverbirate throughout campus on a Saturday morning and the next big team rolls onto campus.

One day the Irish will be relevant, and there will be those who jump back on the wagon, but those of us who stuck with the Irish, who let Irish lore run through our veins, both in good and bad times, will be the ones who truly enjoy it. Those who stayed faithful, will once again, realize just how relevant the Irish are to college football, and why we stayed faithful.

Comments

# 1 Chaos81 @ Nov 11

I'll drink to that.

# 2 funky_chicken @ Nov 13

I would like to go back to the days of Lou Holtz when you knew the Irish were going to contend year in and year out. Since Lou the coaching carousel has made me sick to my stomach. With each passing season I am losing faith in Charlie Weis more and more.

The question is who is going to be the coach to restore the winning ways in South Bend? I wait wondering with each frustrating game and season.

# 3 wolverine2481 @ Aug 11

I know that it is going on a year later since this post has been published. I got to say something. I have been an Irish fan all my life, never been to a game at notre dame stadium. I got to watch them beat Purdue at Purdue about 9 yrs ago. Still a faithful Irish fan nothing will change that. I bleed those colors each year through and through.