Campus News:
The Generations campaign has surpassed its initial goal of $767 million. As of the end of August, $805 millions has been donated. Undergraduate scholarships will receive roughly $180 million, by far the most of any allocation. The official ending date of the campaign is Dec. 31, 2000. The aim for the remaining time will be to raise money for financial aid, graduate programs, endowed chairs, a science teaching facility, an engineering research facility, the Hesburgh Library, and the Kresge Law Library.
Ted Koppel was on campus a week and a half ago to give a lecture on contemporary concerns in journalism. His hair gave a lecture on why Ted would actually look better bald.
Hall Notes:
The new Carroll sign has yet to be posted outside in its customary spot. It is presently hanging in the newly renovated basement. (New pictures will hopefully be posted in a month or two.) The sign is waiting to be approved by the Board of Trustees who will meet in February. The old blue sign is M.I.A.
Check out a couple additions to the Message Board. The most recent is a posting from Slimmer about a Vermin tailgater at the Oklahoma game. The second most recent is a file to download an Irish cursor. Instead of staring at an hour glass while your computer is "thinking" you can have the Leprechaun shadowboxing.
NDSportscenter:
Third string quarterback Eric Chappell, who did not suit up for the Purdue game, was dimissed from the team permanently in what was called an "internal discipline matter." Chappell stated, "I feel the punishment fit the crime. I saw this coming. I take responsibility for what I did." He will remain in school and graduate with a degree in business management. The new 3rd string QB is freshman Gary Godsey. The 6'7" Godsey was recruited as a tight end.
Mere days after Chappell's dismissal, The Observer broke a story about why he was kicked off the team. An unnamed source came forward and stated Chappell had attempted to sell 2 tickets to the Michigan game for $50 apiece to the source and a '98 Domer. Complimentary tickets are given to all players to be given freely to family and friends. Selling them is an NCAA violation. The tickets were not purchased but the source felt it was wrong and reported it to the athletic department on Aug. 31. Supposedly the source met representatives the next day. The source also stated the '98 grad had given Chappell 12 or 13 gifts totaling $5,000 in worth over a year and a half. Chappell and the '98 grad said the allegations are false.
Well, something must be true as the University reported 3 incidents to the NCAA...
a) a part-time tutor who is an ND grad wrote a paper for a student- athlete. The athlete is no longer at the University. The tutor has been canned.
2) misuse of complimentary tickets by a student-athlete
d) allegation of extra benefits given to a student-athlete The University wants the NCAA to review all incidents (including the Dunbar case) together before making a ruling.
Campus News:
The hole in the ground that used to be the old bookstore is filling quickly. The foundation for the new building looks like it will be complete before winter. The finished structure will house the Freshman Year of Studies, Student Academic Services, Campus Ministry, and the satellite office of the Center for Social Concerns. The $14 million project is to be finished by early 2001.
The first Scholastic of the year featured a piece from the inside of Father Hesburgh's 13th floor office. The following are just a few items that decorate his home: a photograph of him holding hands with Martin Luther King Jr. at a civil rights march in Chicago; a bell from Pope Paul VI; a model of an SR-71 jet that he was a passenger in when it broke Mach 3; a picture of an asteroid named after him in 1952; a signed Joe DiMaggio baseball; two hats commemmorating his throwing out the first pitch in the last game of the '98 World Series; an original Edison phonograph; a large circular blue and gold rug specially made in Donegal, Ireland that contains the seal of the University and the names of the school's presidents from Sorin to Hesburgh; and a TV that's so large Stevie Wonder could watch it.
Hall Notes:
This was a Letter to the Editor in the Observer...
This past weekend was very disappointing for a lot of Irish fans. It was a well-fought game. However, there has already been plenty of commentary about that game. I want to point out a much greater aspect of this University. My roommate and I made the trip to Michigan without tickets. We were standing outside of Michigan Stadium and looking to get two tickets, when a man in his 50s approached us and pulled out a couple. He asked us where we went to school and what year we were. After our answers of Notre Dame and juniors in Carroll Hall, he handed us the tickets. He told us to have fun and to do the same for someone one day when we were his age. It was the best feeling in the world to walk into that stadium and sit in the ninth row while using those free tickets. We really want to thank that man. We hope that he is reading this. We promise to give another Domer the same feeling one day that he gave us. He showed us everything that is right with this university. He showed us the true Notre Dame spirit. Notre Dame is full of good people like this. We just wish that the rest of the world was more like this. We once again want to thank that man if he is out there reading this. Thank you for your great generosity!
Patrick Broderick and Brandon Zick
NDSportscenter:
Some odds and ends...
Joey Getherall will be back for the Oklahoma game after separating his right shoulder against Michigan.
Freshman wideout Jamaar Taylor is sidelined with a knee injury sustained when the chain on his bike broke and he flipped over the handlebars.
The Chicago Sun-Times reported that we will receive probation as punishment for the Dunbar incident. Apparently a decision has been reached, but the announcement will not be released for a few weeks. The paper stressed the fact that although it's probation, it's still associated with a major violation. Only a major violation receives probation. Whatever. Shut up.
Autry Denson was waived by Tampa Bay. But he was immediately resigned for the league minimum of $158,000 to be on the practice team.
Campus News:
Temporary cooling towers were installed to restore air condition- ing lost during last spring's fire and explosion at the Power Plant. Normal capacity will be maintained from 6 pm to 6 am. The temporary towers were rented over the summer and will be kept until the new towers are built. The $700,000 rental cost was covered by insurance. Six of nine towers were damaged at a cost of $1-2 million. The new towers should be up and running by next spring.
Notes of the home opener versus Kansas...
85 spectators suffered from heat-related illnesses in the 100+ degree weather (according to the heat index). Eleven of them were band members. If you can't take the heat.....get out of the piccolo section.
Hall Notes:
A 42-yr-old townie was arrested and charged with criminal trespassing and burglary after stealing a bicycle from outside Carroll. He was captured after a car chase a few miles west of campus. The thief was labelled a Class C Felon (although, he had no class). He had been removed from campus on Aug. 28 after loitering at McGlinn Hall.
NDSportscenter:
Last week the Irish women's soccer team opened the season at home versus North Carolina. The Irish were ranked #7 in one poll and #3 in the other. The Tarheels were #1 and #2 in the two polls. UNC took a 1-0 lead. The Irish bounced back 2 minutes later to tie it up. ND then scored a vicious goal by Mia Sarkesian to take a 2-1 lead. The ball was on the left side of the field. Mia faked as if going to the middle and then made a nasty turn to the left. She fired a lethal ball with her left foot at an acute angle and bounced it in off the RIGHT post. The Irish led up until the 87th minutes. With 3 minutes to go, a shot on goal by UNC took a wicked hop off the grass and went over our tender's shoulder and into the net. Sudden death overtime followed. UNC ended it 3-2 with a goal as only 6 minutes remained on the clock. The Irish were outshot at a 2:1 ratio and were called off-sides 12 times. The attendance was 2,957. Two days later the ladies beat Duke 4-1 to even their record at 1-1.
Campus News:
The Observer is now on-line. Check it out on The Missing Links page.
The Dome is once again open to visitors. The renovation took 25 months and cost $58.7 million. The fifth floor had been closed since WWII because of structural weakness. It's now housing Graduate School offices. The north annex had been leaning away from the Dome, but has now been stabilized. Artistic additions include ceramic tile mosaic floors, the elaborately painted ceiling beneath the Dome, ornate hanging lamps, and intricate bannisters. Painted over decorations in the '60s were uncovered and restored. Central air conditioning and two elevators have been added. The number of staff in the Main Building is down from 450 to 250. Classrooms and conference rooms are now present.
Last May Father Theodore Hesburgh received two more honorary degrees from other colleges. His new honorary doctorate total is at 141, a World Record according to the Guiness Book.
Hall Notes:
Word on the street is that '97 grad Bert Berry was wed last February. Bert currently plays for the Indianapolis Colts as a LB/DE. The wedding was in Texas to a woman believed to be his hometown honey.
NDSportscenter:
More information on the shooting of Demetrius DuBose...
Autopsy results indicated alcohol, cocaine, and ecstasy were in his bloodstream. However, there is a disagreement over whether the amounts suggest that he was under the influence. The alcohol was but a trace, probably equal to one drink. The San Diego Medical Examiner's Office said there was a "significant amount" of cocaine that had been consumed "probably within the last few hours." The same was said about the ecstasy. The lawyer for the DuBose family said the tests prove only that DuBose had taken drugs within the past 30 days. The lawyer also stated that had DuBose recently taken cocaine he would have been unable to sleep as he had prior to the incident. The autopsy indicated he was shot 10 times, 4 in the chest and 6 in the back. Eight of the shots were fatal. It could not be determined where he was shot first.
News on other Irish players from the past...
Ron Powlus was cut by the Lions, brought bac, and then cut again.
Derrick Mayes was traded form Green Bay to Seattle.
Joe Montana was recently named the 25th Greatest North American Athlete of this century by ESPN.
Jamie Spencer was cut by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Campus News:
Old school camping out for football tix is now right out. The new distribution system involves the following: students camp out in the concourse of the stadium and a lottery system is utilized. The camp outs begin at 10 pm at Gate B. Food and drink are welcome but bags and coolers will be inspected. No alcohol. Each ticket application gets a lottery ticket. Tickets will be distributed until 1 am. After that time, no one will be admitted to the stadium. However, students are free to leave. At 1:15 am lottery numbers will be drawn. Distribution begins after the number chosen. One lotter number will be drawn per 200 tix. Students not receiving a lottery ticket that night can acquire one at 6 am the next morning. After the lottery the camp out festivities include live entertainment, disc jockeys, movies, and breakfast. The price is estimated in the $1,000s. Everyone involved is chipping in. All is done in an effort to reduce alcohol consumption, trash, and rowdy behavior.
One student stated the campout was a "pathetic turnout of only a handful of students." Rumor has it only 2 seniors camped out. 2! Another tradition is dead.
Hall Notes:
As you man have seen, #34 Senior Ronnie Nicks, started at line- backer on the Irish defense. The 6'0", 240 lb. Kilgore, Texas native will finally get a chance to shine. The four year Carroll resident is finally healthy after a string of injuries to his neck, back, knee, ankle, and elbow.
NDSportscenter:
A few more pre-season football notes to get out of the way...
Suspended cornerback Brock Williams has decided NOT to transfer. In fact he appealled to the University's Office of Student Affairs to get reinstated. He didn't. He has 2 years eligibility remaining. He was rumored to be suspended for a variety of reasons including alcohol, parietal violations, and on-campus parking tickets.
Davie signed a new contract extension and will be the head coach through at least 2003. No terms were available.
Junior LB Hugh Holmes has quit football due to chronic headaches.
Darcy Levy was the #5 RB on the depth chart and has decided to transfer.
The top freshman on defense seems to be DT Darrell Campbell, the recruit we lured away from Northwestern. He's a fiery, vocal, impact player. A young Zorich? The top freshman on offense is RB Julius Jones. He was questioned by some as a recruit, but the former high school track star has shown explosiveness that the Irish have lacked recently. Look for him in punt and kickoff returns sometime this year.
Former player Kevin Dansby, brother of Melvin I believe, received a year probation for a February incident at a party where he threatened a female student with a knife to perform a sex act. He pled guilty and is serving his probation in his home of Alabama. He said he had used a butter knife and was "just joking." The former sophomore LB was released from the team in Oct. of '98.
Campus News:
At the end of the last school year security finally caught someone burglarizing vehicles. A Michigan resident was arrested for theft after several vehicles had been broken into in C-1, D-2, and D-6 over a few weeks. The bandit was busted after jacking some stereo equipment and compact discs. "He's a known thief and burglar," said director of security police Rex Rakow. The robber was also found in possession of marijuana and other stolen material.
I just have one question...If he's a "known thief and burglar," WHY WASN'T HE ARRESTED EARLIER!?!?
Hall Notes:
A couple of victims of the burglar were Vermin. Arnaz Battle ('02) lost his stereo. Russ Chiapetta('99)'s car was keyed, but nothing was stolen. "[The theif] had a device that knocks out the lock on the car door," said Chiapetta. "[Pat Gilligan ('01) and a Keenan resident] were on their way to storage and each lost about $1,200 worth of stuff," Chiapetta stated.
NDSportscenter:
More ND basketball news...
Sophomore-to-be Sherisha Hills has left the women's program and transferred to her home state of Florida. The future Gator was an excellent player.
But the programs did land a 5'9" 2-guard out of Washburn, KN. Jeneka Joyce carried a 4.27 GPA out of 4.0 while averaging 22 ppg. She turned down Stanford, Duke, and Kansas St.
Men's player Skylard Owens was awarded a scholarship. The 6'4", 210 lb. former walk-on played in 29 games and made 2 starts last year. He recently had surgery, though, because of bone spurs.
Coach Doherty is currently recruiting center Neil Fingleton, a native of England. He's presently attending Holy Cross Name High School in Worcester, MA. He's 7'6", 278 lbs!!! Other than ND, he is eying Holy Cross, Ohio St., and Wake Forest.
The men's team will open the season in the '99 Preseason NIT with a first round opponent of Ohio State, a final four team.
Football notes....
First major injuries have been sustained by Lance Legree and Tony Weaver. Backup DL Legree tore his MCL. It should heal naturally and not require surgery. He'll be out 4 to 6 weeks. Starting DT Tony Weaver sprained a knee and is likely out for the Kansas game. Backups Antwon Jones and Andy Wisne are also playing through nagging injuries. The D-Line is taking its hits.
The supposed freshman kicking phenoms are anything but. South Bend native, sophomore David Miller is competing for the top slot as Setta and Hildbold's averages have been a meager 32 and 34 yds, respectively. By the way, Miller was only a place kicker in high school and has little punting experience. As of Friday, though, Hildbold is the starting punter. Sanson is the #1 option for field goals.
Clifford Jefferson is the cornerback replacing Brock Williams in the starting lineup.
Campus News:
As the Chicago Tribune reported, and as ESPN echoed, the University expects the NCAA to rule that we have committed the first major violation in school history with the Kim Dunbar incident. ND officials believe the athletic department should have done more to learn of the gifts and discovered them earlier. The U believes the NCAA will take the hardline and make us an example. The sanction is expected sometime during the season.
In related news, Kim Dunbar will be released from prison on Oct. 17 after serving one year for embezzling $1.4 million. She had 4 years reduced to 2 years for good behavior and 2 reduced to 1 for earning an associate's degree from Indiana while in prison which is part of a new state law that rewards inmates for earning educational degrees. Oh, yeah, and for $25 she screwed us over.
In more related news, Derrick Mayes came to a settlement with Dunbar's employer for less than $10,000. Ray Zellars, Kinnon Tatum, Jarvis Edison, and Lee Becton are still named in the suit to get back the money.
Hall Notes:
Word on the street is that '95 grad Jake Rhiem (a.k.a. Chowdah) was engaged last month. (But only in the sense that he got down on one knee and handed over 10 grand.) He started a philo program at the University of Texas but quit after 3 years. He is currently working as a computer programmer in the D.C. area.
NDSportscenter:
Starting cornerback Brock Williams will not be a starter this year. In fact, he's been suspended for the season for a violation of team rules. No other explanation was given. He will retain his scholarship and attend school. Brock said he would stay, but others believe he will transfer.
A new link has been added that is the Unofficial Home of ND Football. The site - "ND Unlimited" - is fantastic. It's the most comprehensive ND football site around. In particular check out the Multimedia page and its Video Gallery to see classic ND plays from the past. Be patient when downloading them as they take awhile depending on your computer. But it's well worth the wait.
A ballot is available to vote on the top moments of the century in ND Football history. There are 32 moments to choose from and 10 to vote for on-line. Once the votes have been tabulated, the top 20 will be released during the final home game. Most of the 32 moments have real video that accompany them at the "Notre Dame Sports Center" link on the "Missing Links" page. Simply go to that site and click on the second rectangular link on the right. Four images rotate on the rectangle and flash "Century of Greatness." You'll have to sign up for FANSonly. It's free, easy, and takes about 60 seconds. So take the time and exercise your right to vote.
Campus News:
Summer school finals were this last week. The campus will be empty for a couple weeks. The students will be coming back the weekend of the 21st. Classes begin on the 24th. Two things that will not join them were voted on by the University at the end of last year. The Student Senate proposed the idea of bringing back Liquid Lunch. The University said, "No times." The students also asked for a change in parietals. The University stated, "You're playin' yourselves" and gave them a BUSSSSSSSSS.
New photos (taken in July) of the sacred ground can be seen on "The Campus" page.
NDSportscenter:
More on last week's story of Demetrius DuBose...Whereas the cops' story was on page 1 last week, this week's story will undoubtedly be news to all of you as it was most likely buried on page 56. Here's what happened before DuBose was tagged a "burglary suspect" and shot by police officers...
Seems earlier in the day DuBose had been playing volleyball. Afterward he had a few beers. He and his roommate arrived home later that evening to prepare to go to a barbecue. The roommate received software in the mail and took to his computer. DuBose had time to kill until they left for the BBQ. The roommate was engrossed and the next he knew he heard voices next door. Turns out DuBose somehow crossed a wooden railing, entered the neighbor's apartment, and fell asleep. The neighbor returned home shocked. He awoke DuBose and told him to leave. He did so. The roommate came over and clarified that he and DuBose lived next door and DuBose wasn't trying to burglarize him. However, the police were in route. But the confusion had been straightened out by the time they arrived. That rapidly deteriorated. DuBose answered the officers quietly and respectfully, but became agitated when they wanted to put handcuffs on. DuBose fled and the rest is the cops' story I reported last week.
The autopsy results were as follows: DuBose was shot 9 TIMES! Three in the chest and six in the back. The family conducted its own investigation and had private autopsies by two doctors. Ballistics tests have yet to determine where he was shot first. Witnesses said he was first shot in the back by the officers who could not subdue DuBose without firearms even though they were roughly the same size as our former linebacker. Witnesses also said that aftering shooting DuBose the cops stood over him for 10 minutes and then checked his pulse. Then they continued to wait some more. He fled to death before he got to the hospital.
Campus News:
Updates on campus construction...The location of the old bookstore has been gutted. A trench has been dug across the quad and stops at the sidewalk before Dillon. The front steps of the Dome are complete and the interior is also ready for visitors, I believe. The reflecting pool is still having work done around it and a fence surrounds it keeping waders at bay. The new golf course opening has been changed from this Fall to next Spring. My sources report the University erred in its selection of seeding. A $10 million project and supposedly they acted miserly and didn't pony up dough for quality seed. Apparently that work must be done over and the grounds will not be ready until spring. The clubhouse, though, is said to be open for business.
Hall Notes:
Word on another current Vermin who I ran into this summer... Alfred Vargas, a senior-to-be, is in summer school to catch up on classes after changing majors. He's about to complete 8 credits of organic chemistry. Two semesters of ORGO in one summer...Have Mercy! He plans to graduate on time buy may take it a little easier this year and come back for another semester before heading off to medical school.
NDSportscenter:
Earlier this week Adolphus Demetrius DuBose, Irish LB from '89-'92, was shot and killed in San Diego for attacking police officers who were investigating a burglary. Two police officers stopped him as he fit the description of a robbery suspect. He fled. They chased, caught him, and maced him. A scuffle took place. Reportedly he ran again and was caught a second time. According to one report he then flipped one officer over his head like a ragdoll and he fell into a brick planter. The other officer brandished nunchukas. DuBose disarmed him. Another report had both officers pulling out the martial arts weapon. One report also said DuBose took away a police baton and used it as a weapon. He then charged the officers who fired 3 to 5 shots (according to witnesses) into his chest when he got within 10 ft. Autopsy results have yet to be released. During his last visit to the Bend, DuBose broke a pipe during a skirmish at Heartland and flooded the establishment with 1,600 gallons of water. The Seattle native graduated from ND in 3 1/2 years with a degree in government. He was a 2nd round pick of Tampa Bay and played there from '93 through '96. He was cut by the Jets in '97. He was in California and was an aspiring pro beach volleyball player. Coach Holtz was quoted as saying, "I am shocked and saddened to hear about Demetrius' passing...The person described in these accounts is a different Demetrius DuBose than the one we all loved, appreciated, and respected."
Campus News:
Approximately a dozen students will have hearings with Residence Life for their roles in the campus bonfires early on Apr. 26th. (For the story read the May 2, 1999 "Campus News.") Students will be disciplined for obstructing police and fire officials, adding fuel to bonfires, and disrespecting security personnel. Hearings will be this Fall semester as the reports were not completely filed or reviewed before classes ended. No names have been released.
Hall Notes:
A present Vermin is on campus this summer. C.J. Howard would have graduated last year with his classmates, however, he is an architecture major and will be back for his fifth year. For this off-season he is involved in an internship in the Bend, summer school, and being some sort of instructor for local teens in a school-related program, I believe.
NDSportscenter:
Cornerback Brock Williams pled guilty to a misdemeanor charge for being a minor consuming alcohol and disorderly conduct. He received a $127 fine, a year probation, and a 90 day suspended jail sentence.
Men's basketball coach Matt Doherty has added 3 assistants to his staff. Lead assistant Doug Wojcik came the same day Coach Doherty was hired. He had played at the Naval Academy alongside David Robinson. Assistant Bob MacKinnon had been the head coach at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy for the past 2 years. Assistant Fred Quartlebaum had previously been an assistant at Towson St., Holy Cross, and Fairfield. He had worked with Doug Wojcik. Doherty still has to add a Coordinator of Basketball Operations. All Vermin are encouraged to apply. Who's got game?
Campus News:
During this past school year ND dealt with the issue of labor abuse in licensed apparel manufacturing by taking the unpre- cedented step of hiring an independent monitoring firm to ensure that its licensees comply wiht the University's code of conduct. PricewaterhouseCoopers was hired to conduct random spot inspections of factories for code violations. ND also joined with 50 other colleges in the Fair Labor Association to attempt to ensure safe working conditions in the manufacture of clothing sold in the U.S. The University also entered into several other alliances to prevent sweatshop labor.
Hall Notes:
Word on the street is that Father Al and Father Thomas will not be residing in The Hotel any longer. Their successors names have yet to hit the grapevine. More info to come on the new blood in the Fall.
NDSportscenter:
A few weeks ago our first Heisman Trophy winner, Angelo Bertelli, past away at the age of 78 after a battle with brain cancer. He had been the 3rd oldest surviving winner. Angelo won the award in 1943 under Frank Leahy. Frank coached 4 Heisman winners and Bertelli was his first. Angelo was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1972. Freshman-to-be Matt Carroll was named 1 of 12 on the '99 USA Basketball Men's Junior World Championship Team. He will compete from July 15th through 25th in a 16-team tournament in Portugal. There is an on-going vote for the best college football town come Saturdays in the Fall. Cast your vote for the Bend at... http://www.sportingnews.com/sportscities99/voting/cfb.html
Campus News:
Call the ticket office if you want to find out about the football ticket lottery (219-631-7356). Refund money for games not won in the lottery have been mailed.
As of July 1, Patty O'Hara ceased to be a professor at the ND Law School and the University vice president for Student Affairs. Instead she has become the Dean of the ND Law School. She was the Student Affairs VP for 9 long years. She will be following David Link, the longest-serving law school dean in the U.S. The law school is currently ranked 21st. O'Hara's successor is Father Mark Poorman, who previously was an executive assistant to the University president. O'Hara graduated summa cum laude and first in her class from the ND Law School in '74. She was elected VP for Student Affairs by the Board of Trustees in June '90. She was the first woman to serve as an officer at Notre Dame.
Hall Notes:
'95 grad Phil Culcasi has thankfully moved out of Lansing, MI. He and his wife, Tracy, now live in a Chicago suburb. Phil will be teaching math and chemistry in a Catholic high school. He presently is going to school to get his Masters in education.
NDSportscenter:
Troy Murphy did not become a member of the USA Men's Junior World Championship Team that will compete in Portugal this summer. The Irish basketball star bowed out and opted for surgery after discovering he had a hernia. He could have played and had the surgery upon his return, but felt this was the best course of action going into his sophomore season.
The ND softball team lost 4-3 to Nebraska to be eliminated from the NCAA tourney. Their overall record was 42-20. They were the Big East champs and were 1 of 48 teams in the NCAA tourney and a #5 seed in one of eight, six-team regionals.
Campus News:
Early in this past school year the University had to pay a fine for violations of the Clean Air Act. This is the second citation for the power plant exceeding acceptable levels of emissions. In January of 1998 the University had to pay a quarter-million dollar fine. The amount of this second penalty is "something the University doesn't want to release at this time," but it was less expensive as the violation was less harmful. The second instance occurred because an operator ran a boiler above the 90 percent hourly average for too long.
Hall Notes:
'95 grad Matt Festa turned down the ND law school for Vanderbilt. That location was chosen so that his wife could also pursue further education as she is going for a PhD in English. They welcome a new school in August and....a new Festa in October. Speaking of newborns...Mr. Fraire recently became the proud papa of Thomas David Fraire.
NDSportscenter:
Football odds and ends...
We will be replacing 4 starters on the offensive line this year. The last time that happened?.....1988.
This year's ND-Tennessee game was MORONICALLY not picked up by CBS. Instead ESPN grabbed it and is making it a night game.
The Nov. 24, 2001 game in Hawaii against the Rainbows has been cancelled. Our reasoning was that we wanted to compete against a tougher opponent due to the BCS strength of schedule factor. Hawaii's head coach said we are afraid to play them. (Mind you, I don't believe they won a game last year.) Yeah, that makes sense. Let's put creampuffs like Michigan, Tennessee, and Texas A&M on the schedule.
We've already landed a recruit for NEXT year. Matt LoVecchio, a 6'4", 200 lb. New Jersey QB, has verbally committed to the Irish. He runs a 4.6 and is compared to Phil Simms' son. His junior year stats: 92 of 149; 1700 yds; 29 TDs; 12-0 record; state title. He had offers from Ohio St., Purdue, Wisconsin, and Michigan St.
Additional note....Women's World Cup final is Saturday, July 10 at 3:30 EST on ABC. Starting at defender is #20 Kate Sobrero, a '98 Domer.