Campus News:
Two water pipes are being placed under St. Joseph's Drive and the Stepan courts. Presently four courts are somewhat playable, but are covered with dirt. Two courts are and will be unavailable for Bookstore Basketball. The rest should be cleaned up by the time the tourney starts (Apr. 4). This construction is part of a $28 million project to expand the volume of chilled water available to operate air conditioning units around campus.
Hall Notes:
Classic moment in Vermin history...
So it seems back in the day a certain Vermin, who will remain
nameless (Pimpi), disclosed a juicy piece of gossip to some
chumleys. A certain young lady, who will also remain nameless
(Analese), was reported to have...well...maybe I should quote
the nameless (Diaz) Don Juan, "She missed." And the non-named
(Cris) Casanova insinuated that HE was the one whose boys could
swim. I DON'T THINK SO. (That last phrase sound a little
familiar, Mr. Source Questioner.) When he finally admitted the
truth, one Ryan O'Leary was heard to have stated, "Yeah, then he
unf***ed the beotch."
NDSportscenter:
The womens's basketball team bowed out against LSU and failed to make it back to the Sweet 16.
The hockey team lost a best-of-3 to Northern Michigan in the first round of the CCHA playoffs. They failed to qualify for the 12 team championship tournament.
A few weeks back the 69th Bengal Bouts were held. The boxers raised $50,000 (up from $41,000 from the year before) for the Holy Cross missions in Bangladesh to repair flood damage.
Basketball coach news and Dunbar information next week.
Campus News:
Liquid Lunch, a Friday tradition at Senior Bar that the administra- tion discontinued in May of '96, may be back. A new proposal passed in the Student Senate by a vote of 24 to 1. Back in the day, the original intent was to allow students and faculty to eat, drink, and interact. It was discontinued because the faculty didn't show and food wasn't consumed. The new proposal (noon to 2 pm on Fridays) calls for a meal to be purchased in order to get a cup. The faculty will be issued a survey and then it goes to the Vice President of Student Affairs, Patty O.
Hall Notes:
As Mr. Busack alluded to...Carroll has a couple of new signs. The old dark blue and gold lettered Carroll sign is gone. A Soph. had made a larger new one that was maroon with gold lettering. That one is not up, though. Instead there are 2 University brown signs (like the rest around campus) at the drives that surround the small island at the end of Carroll Drive.
NDSportscenter:
Men's Basketball player Troy Murphy was named Big East Rookie of the Year. He is the first freshman in conference history to lead the league in rebounding. He surpassed Adrian Dantley's ND record (511) for freshman scoring with 519 points. He finished 4th in scoring in the conference. He was named Rookie of the Week 8 times.
Note...I went to see the men's team play West Virginia awhile back. I was sitting in the bleachers. Guess who walked by?...Davie. He and his son sat in the bleachers. I had better seats than Bob. In fact I bet thos weren't even his seats. Where's an usher when you need one?
Campus News:
The principal speaker at this year's commencement is Elizabeth Dole, former president of the American Red Cross and a cabinet member in the Reagan and Bush administrations. One of ten people receiving an honorary degree is none other than Regis Philbin ('53), who hosts an annual fund-raising broadcast on behalf of the Center for the Homeless.
Hall Notes:
I ran into Big Mike Adams in the fall walking down Dorr Road. He is on pace to graduate this spring after 5 years and 3 changes in major. Currently he is an R.A. at Holy Cross and I ran into him on his walk to a residence hall farther away from campus than The Hotel.
NDSportscenter:
Notes on MacLeod's "resignation" and the search for a new coach... He had coached 8 seasons and had a 106-124 record...He was 0 for 4 in the past 4 Big East tournaments...Only 2 post-seasons and both were in the NIT....Wadsworth was quoted, "I met with John late this afternoon and he informed me of his decision." Wadsworth refused to discuss circumstances surrounding the departure. Wadsworth insisted MacLeod had requested that he limit what he said to what was in the statement....An A.P. interview last Friday with MacLeod has him quoted as expecting to be back and looking forward to next without a hint toward "resigning." Wadsworth looks stupid. Just fire the guy. Nobody's buying the smoke screen. MacLeod had 8 seasons and did very little. It's the nature of the business. Just let him go. He deserved a pink slip. Notre Dame can fire people. Give it up, Wadworth...my other sources report Wadsworth was on vacation in Florida and flew up just to fire MacLeod and immediately flew back to Florida. MacLeod was supposedly leaving on a trip of some sort the morning of his "resignation". Wadsworth had him lied to about the weather being poor and travel impossible to keep him in town. Nice guy that Wadsworth...a new coach is expected to be named before the April 7 spring signing date. Candidates I've heard mentioned are the following: Majerus (Utah), Donovan (Florida), Gillen (Virginia), Amaker (Seton Hall), Prosser (Xavier), Alford (SW Missouri St.), the Delaware coach, the Princeton coach, John Paxson, a former Digger Phelps assistant, and a former Duke assistant. The strong push is for Majerus. He's listening and is a strong possibility. My sources report Majerus is good friends with a bigwig at Adidas. Majerus would command around $700,000. We can't pay him that much. Supposedly Adidas said it would pick up the rest. Chicago is prime recruiting ground. Majerus is Catholic. He previously coached at Ball State. The Big East is a better conference. Also we don't have players leaving on 2 year Moron missions. Player loyalty is the only reason I can think of for Majerus staying in Utah. I think we have a very good shot at getting him.......this just in: rumor is the u is offering majerus $800,000 and adidas is offering an additional $1 million....our top 4 candidates are Majerus, Quinn Synder (Duke assistant), Donovan, and Prosser...the Denver Post supposedly printed that Majerus was coming here, although I simply heard this and cannot confirm it.
The women's b-ball team won its first round game last night 61-57.
The hockey team is tied 1-1 in a best of 3 series with Northern Michigan in the first round of the CCHA playoffs. The deciding game is being played tonight here.
Campus News:
Anyone familiar with the art-house film "The Opposite of Sex"? It stars Christina Ricci and is set in South Bend. The movie is a small budget independent Sony Pictures Classics release. The film was written & directed by Don Roos, a 1977 ND grad. The movie was shown at the Snite on Feb. 5 and 6.
Hall Notes:
'95 grad Matt Festa was back on campus two weeks ago. The University flew him in for interviews and meetings. They are trying to sell him on our law school. I believe he applied to 18 different schools. He plans to start school somewhere next fall. It is doubtful he will be here, though, as his wife is looking to go to grad school for english at the same school or at least in the same town. Festa has been in the army and living and working on the Kentucky- Tennessee border.
NDSportscenter:
The 3 other coaching positions have been filled. The new secondary coach is Lou West, previously from Virginia Tech. last year Va. Tech was 2nd in the nation in interceptions with 23. The defense was ranked in the top 5 in points allowed, total defense, and rushing yards allowed. Steve Addazio, from Syracuse, is the new tight ends and tackles coach. He will also help with special teams. Jerry Rosburg left Boston College to become our new outside LB coach. He will also assist in special teams. All 4 new assistant coaches have come from the Big East.
Campus News:
The Campus Life Council was proposed with a resolution that called for a forum for members of the Board of Trustees to personally explain to students why they voted the way they did on the issue of rejecting the inclusion of sexual orientation in ND's non-discrimination clause. Bill Kirk distributed copies of the Board of Trustees press release regarding their decisions in London. The authors of the resolution want a discussion instead of a paragraph. At least 3 rectors and Bill Kirk opposed the resolution. It has yet to be approved and is still up for debate.
Hall Notes:
One of the authors of the resolution made at the Campus Life Council was Ryan Stecz, who is a member of the Diversity Committee.
Freshman D-lineman Tony Weaver, who was named to the Football News All-Freshman Team, is currently residing in room 204 of The Hotel.
NDSportscenter:
It was reported to me that within 2 days after the 4 assistant coaches left, their names had been painted over on the curb at their parking spots. All traces of Colletto have been expunged. Unfortunately the memories remain. The other 3 assistants to have left were Sanford the QB coach who left to become the receivers coach for the San Diego Chargers, D-line coach Charlie Strong who went to work with Lou at South Carolina, and D-backfield coach Tom McMahon who became the D-coordinator at Colorado.
Campus News:
The campus is presently deluged by the parents of juniors this weekend. In addition to that is the grand opening of the new bookstore and visitor center. I can sum it up in 3 words: Oh.... my....God. The bookstore will carry more than 75,000 titles, up from 13,000. (it now resembles a Barnes and Noble). Floor space will more than double, increasing from 28,000 square-feet to 65,000. The 2-building Eck Center (as it's also known) cost $21.5 million. The 2-story bookstore is open everyday until 10pm. It houses a cafe, a gas fireplace, a woman playing the piano (probably a JPW thing), 4 computers with interent access, CD samples to listen to, and aplethora of leather chairs placed throughout the building.
Hall Notes:
Classic moment in Vermin history (as I was told)... Carroll. Zahm. Not the best of friends. Zahm cried foul over the use of a Holy Cross student on the Vermin squad AFTER losing. In return for their crying they received a "victory" and were allowed to advance. A Carroll t-shirt was made with the following message: (front) Carroll 13, Zahm 10....Don't Ever Forget It!; (back) If you can't beat us on the field, you can beat us off!
NDSportscenter:
One assistant coaching position has been filled. Kevin Rogers, the offensive coordinator, QB coach, and assistant head coach for Syracuse, has been named our new offensive coordinator. He had been at Syracuse for the past 8 seasons. He specializes in mobile QBs and was the driving force behind Donovan McNabb. Last year Syracuse was 3rd in scoring, 10th in rushing, and 22nd in total offense. He was even recruited by Holtz back when he coached at William and Mary. here come the irish!
Campus News:
The reason the big vote was in London was last week was so that it could coincide with a dedication ceremony for the new site of the London Program in Trafalgar Square. The newly renovated building is now known as the Marian K. Fischer Hall and is double the size of the former London site. The original structure was built in 1823 as a gentlemen's club for grads of Oxford and Cambridge.
Hall Notes:
A flashback piece occurred in Scholastic entitled, "10 Years Ago." It read....
In the February 23, 1989 election issue of Scholastic, the magazine interviewed Dan Fahey, a junior from Carroll Hall who chose to run for Student Body King. When asked about his strengths and weaknesses, Marty DeBenidictis, Fahey's running mate, was frank: "Everyone submits their will to the King. He has pretty much no weaknesses." Kind of makes current candidate Luke White, who claims he can control the sunlight, look downright sane.
NDSportscenter:
The new women's soccer coach is Randy Waldrum. He had been coaching at Baylor for the past 3 seasons. His record there was 46-14-3 and he won the Big 12 Coach of the Year. Baylor earned their first trip to the NCAA tourney last year. He also coached the men's and women's teams at the University of Tulsa. He was the state coach for the Olympic Development Program and an assistant coach of the U.S. Women's Under-18 National Team in '98 and for the Under-20 Team at the '97 Nordic Cup. With the Under-20 Team he worked with some of the present Irish players.
Campus News:
The news, of course, was the big vote. My office may as well have been Irish Headquarters. My crack staff was hard at work... 1) A co-worker's fiancee works at ND. The news of the vote went through her and she was to disperse it nationally across the wire service. She put the nation on hold to call us first. 2) Another co-worker had his wife hold the phone up to the TV for ESPN's coverage of Monk's speech. We gathered around the speaker phone like an old school F.D.R. Fireside Chat. 3) I had my mom tape the conference and phone me when the final decision was announced. Immediately upon hearing the news I alerted the masses. WNDU 16 later said that Monk said the vote was unanimous to remain independent. Also the trustees vote NOT to add homosexuals to the non-discrimination policy.
Hall Notes:
The Scholastic Annual Football Review came out a few weeks ago. The last article known as the Final Word was written by none other than Tim Ridder. His piece was entitled, "A Learning Experience." He reflected on his four yearS under the Golden Dome on and off the field. He also received the State Farm/Westwood One Student-Athlete of the Year Award.
NDSportscenter:
Final recruiting notes...We finished with the previously mentioned 21. DL Alonzo Jackson and RB Nick Maddox both went to Flordia State. DL Darrell Campbell stayed committed to us despite the efforts of his mother to turn him back to Northwestern. The huge loss was QB C.J. Leak. Word actually spread he had faxed in his signed letter of intent. False. He actually John Handcock-ed with Wake Forest, who was not even listed in his supposed top 7. ESPN analyst Bobby Burton rated us with the #2 class. Lemming had us with the #3 class. According to Lemming we had 3 in the top 25: 15)S Sapp; 21)DL Hilliard; and 25) TE Godsey.
Colletto is gone. O-line coach with the Ravens, i believe. QB coach Sanford is gone. Receivers coach with Chargers i believe. Neither is a real loss.
Campus News:
The noise around here is that the big vote in London is going to come down to academics, and athletics are a distant second. If football isn't important enough, why is it that the vote is conveniently on Feb. 5.....2 days after the recruits sign their commitments on Feb. 3? Coincidence? Me thinks not.
Hall Notes:
Here's an interesting little tidbit....Current 2nd string QB Arnaz Battle presently resides in The Hotel. Current 1st string QB Jarious Jackson used to live in The Hotel. Once a Vermin, always a Vermin.
NDSportscenter:
'99 recruiting update...
17) Jamaar Taylor-WR-6'2", 195 lbs, 4.4; bluechipper from Texas
18) Jeff Faine-OL-6'4", 300 lbs; USA Today 1st team All American
19) Julius Jones-RB-6'0", 177 lbs, 4.4
20) Albert Poree-DB-5'10", 180 lbs, 4.4
21) Darrell Campbell-DL-decommited to Northwestern
Paul Arnold to Washington
T.J. Duckett to Michigan State
Still waiting on QB C.J. Leak and DB Massey
Possibly....DL Alonzo Jackson, 6'2", 195 lbs, 4.4 (word is we sent a
private jet down to get him for a visit)
Big news....rumor has it COLLETTO HAS BEEN FIRED. (Manish wanted it to be known he went by his car and spit on it.)
ND hockey beat Michigan 3-2 last night. Woo hoo! Muck Fichigan!
Campus News:
"Third False Le Mans Fire Alarm Forces Evacuation." Big deal. Here's the cool part...."I think it's worth getting up for a fire drill at 1:30 in the morning just to see all the parietal-breakers running out." Junior Julie Wall also witnessed the one male among the crowd of women. "He started to walk away and then the R.A. decided to chase after him so we all yelled, 'run for your life,' and he started running," she said.
Hall Notes:
Check this out...seems Tom Fraire is MARRIED...with a CHILD on the way. He had been dating the woman for roughly 4 months. There was NO engagement. They were in L.A. over New Year's and just decided to get hitched. (Can you say "shotgun wedding"? By the way, do they really have shotguns there or just a wide variety of small caliber pistols?) No one was there. It was revealed a couple weeks later. The baby is due in July. You do the math.
NDSportscenter:
Recruiting news....16 verbal commitments now with 18-21 scholarships available. I heard 19 but that depends on who's coming back for a 5th year. Here are the 16 in no particular order...
1)Justin Thomas-LB-Oklahoma D-player of the year
2)Ryan Gillis-OL-6'4", 300 lbs
3)Nick Setta-PK- best all around kicker in the country
4)Sean Milligan-OL-6'5", 285 lbs, 86th best overall, 15th best OL
5)Gerome Sapp-S- #1 safety in the nation, 6th best player overall
6)Joey Hildbold-P
7)Glenn Earl-DB- 6'1"
8)Pat Ryan-LB
9)Jim Molinaro-DL-6'4", 245 lbs, best DL in PA
10)Cedric Hilliard-DL-6'4", 295 lbs
11)Brennan Curtis-OL-6'7", 298 lbs
12)Jason Beckstrom-RB/DB-5'10", 185 lbs, 4.4
13)Chris Yura-RB/DB-6'1", 195 lbs, 4.5
14)Courtney Watson-RB-6'2", 205 lbs, 4.4
15)Gary Godsey-TE-6'7", 255 lbs, also a power forward
16)Neal Ambron-OL-6'7", 285 lbs, huge lineman, one of elite
Overall: 2 RB, 1 TE, 2 K/P, 4 OL, 2 DL, 2 LB, 3 DB
Possibilities...
a)C.J. Leak-QB-6'4", 215 lbs, like Randall Cunningham, 55th rated overall; we're the front runner; Sapp, Leak and a Maddox (RB) said they all wanted to go to school together. Doubt we'll get maddox who is the 22nd best player, 3rd best RB; Leak is the 8th best QB
b)Jeff Faine-OL- #74 overall; front runner; #11 OL
c)Jamaar Taylor-WR-game breaker; was 99% us but down to 50%, still has yet to visit
d)Jarrett Payton-RB-Walter Payton's kid; grades are too low
e)Garnell Wilds-DB-top player deciding between us and Virginia Tech; heard we didn't offer him one
f)Paul Arnold-RB-4.3 speed, #32 overall, #6 RB, doubtful
g)T.J. Duckett-LB- #1 D-player in the country, on his list but not top 3, we are rising, word is we are recruiting him for tailback, Bettis was his boyhood idol, reported that Bettis' jersey # is being offered, would start as a freshman, got a chance to nab him.
After the 12th commitment we had the 3rd rated class
Campus News:
A headline in the Observer read: "Vicious Icicles Invade Engineering Building." Reportedly some rather rambunctious articles of frozen water tore ass up and down the hallways. They had sabotaged the heating units and dropped the temperature to a mere 20 degrees. For once they could enjoy their horseplay indoors without suffering the fate of so many before them. They would be damned if they were gonna melt.
NDSportscenter:
Monica Gerardo just completeD her senior year of soccer for the Irish and now she's off to Mexico City. She is a member of the Mexican National Team and is taking off the spring semester to train for the Women's World Cup which will be in the U.S. this summer. She qualified because her father was born in Mexico.
Recruiting news....11 verbal commitments. Signing day Feb. 3. 5th yr seniors expected to return: Jarious, Sanders, Brown, and Bryant. Antwon Jones may or may not come back. Landed the top rated safety and top all-around kicker. Got a top punter so the all-around guy will probably kickoff and be a place kicker. Got a top D-lineman and a top O-lineman. Top corner deciding between us and Virginia Tech. Big recruiting visit this weekend. More in depth next week.
Campus News:
The students are coming back this weekend. All the streets and sidewalks are clear. They were immediately snow free after the storm. I guess we all know who has the clout. All I know is I'd sure like to live on Notre Dame Avenue next time we have a blizzard.
Hall Notes:
Heard from Q. Got an email the day he arrived on Jan. 3rd. He is living at Oak Hill. What a weekend for him to arrive. Fellas, we'll have to visit him when y'all come to town.
NDSportscenter:
Very, very bad news....women's soccer coach Chris Petrucelli has left and become the new head coach at the University of Texas. He had been here 9 yrs, won a national title, and was the Coach of the Year twice. His career record is 177-22-10 with a 0.871 winning % (2nd all time in women's college soccer). He takes over a program whose '98 record was 6-9-3. The reason he left? A challenge. He will be missed. No news on a replacement.
Notes on the Gator Bowl...70,791 fans. Tix sales up 31% from last year. 6th largest crowd in Gator Bowl history. TV ratings up 94%. 6th best bowl ratings and that's only because the other games were in primetime and didn't have other games to compete with. We were a morning game with 2 or 3 other games on at the same time.
Recruiting news next week.