Notre Dame

Thanks to our dear friend Peg, we were Notre Dame bound this weekend.  Peg is the mother of Eileen's neighbor and a Notre Dame season ticket holder for the past 40 years.  She found out Ken is a huge Notre Dame fan so for the past few years has been giving Ken 3 tickets to a game.  Normally he goes with his friends from work, but since they couldn't go he let me and Jon go.  Jon was SO excited.  We went to the college a few years ago for a hockey tournament but it was nothing like it was Saturday.  The atmosphere on college game day is something everyone should experience at least once.

 Getting ready to head to the school.  Parking cost $25 and the parking lot was 2 miles away!!!  There was a shuttle so we hitched a ride to the school.

 Tailgating!  This was the scene all over the area.

 Touchdown Jesus!!  This is actually the school library.  Inside is absolutely beautiful.

 Ken and Jon soaking it all in.  

 The Basilica and Golden Dome.  The statue of Mary on the top of the dome is made of solid gold.

Jon in front of the dome.  The grounds of the school are amazingly wonderful.

 Notre Dame war memorial

Different clubs from the college had food stands around the campus.  They sold everything from hot dogs and brats to steak sandwiches.  We supported the figure skating team  : )

 Ken and Jon in front of Jesus

 Hey!!!  Get back on the Lucky Charms box!!!

 The bagpipe corp.  We didn't get to hear them play but is there anything cooler than a man in a kilt?

 So vibrant!

 Before every game the team attends mass.  As the team walks into the church, the fans line up to cheer them on.  The team is dressed in their Sunday best and look so professional.

 As we were visiting the crypt in the basement of the Basilica it started to hail.  Ken ventured out to see if was close to passing over and I made him wait outside until I could snap this picture.  This is his response.  On the table behind him were souvenirs being sold.  Jon had to run out in the hail a couple of times to help them cover them back up.  Poor guy got nailed by the hail but his help was much appreciated.

 Holy Hail!!!

 The grotto.  It was designed after the one at Lourdes.

David Robinson is in the yellow jacket.  Apparently he played in the NBA.  He was a Navy guy there for the game.  And he is tall.  Stats have him at 7'1.  Wow.

 Inside the Basilica.  The team is up front having mass.  I was in the back taking pictures.  Is that wrong?

 Next time I am sooo getting a ride!

 SIUE bookstore doesn't look like this.  The bookstore is unbelievable. 

 Economic analysts need to spend a Saturday in the bookstore.  They would have to reset all their predictions.  Peg said about 10 years ago they were pulling in $1 million every game day.  I guarantee they make more than that now.

 Ken contributing to the $1 million plus.  We can never have to many Notre Dame clothes.

 An hour before the game part of the band plays a concert on the steps of Bond Hall.  They play a sample of their half time show.  They sounded wonderful and I couldn't believe how many people stand around listening.

 After the band plays, the drum corps performs.  They were awesome!  Dancing around having a grand time. I can't put into words how cool this is to see in person.

 Ken, Peg, and Jon in front of the Lou Hotz statue and field entrance.  Jon fell in love with Peg.  She had more energy than the three of us put together!

 How cool to score a touchdown in front of this.

Navy in the house!!!!!

The Irish Guard leading the band in.  Each member must be 6'2" and meet other requirements.  

The band playing the fight song!  The marching band sounded great.  And their halftime show was fabulous.  One piece they did was from the movie Top Gun.  They formed a fighter jet and actually had smoke come out of one of Irish Guards spear things.  It was soooo cool.

F-18 flyover.  I love these!  Two of the pilots were Notre Dame alumni and two were from the Naval Academy.  They were brought out on the field in the third quarter and everyone gave them a standing ovation.

 The leprechaun is everywhere!

 80,000 people attended the game.  I have never been around that many people at one time.  But there was no chaos whatsoever.  When I looked at the crowd all I could think of was the old video games and how the crowd in them used to look.  I don't know why, but that is what this reminded me of.

This isn't a great picture, but I was trying to show how after every Notre Dame touchdown the students would pick someone up and bench press them for every point they had.  By the end of this game those kids had to be tired.  It is also the tradition that they stand the entire game.  Yeesh.

That's alot of push ups!

The Irish Guard doing an Irish jig.

Goodbye!!