Going to a home football at Notre Dame is an experience in itself and I am happy to have experienced it with my Dad. Unlike sporting events in Minnesota where you show up right at the first pitch or just before kickoff, a football game a Notre Dame is a day long event.
We arrived at campus around 10:00, the game started at 3:30. Campus was already buzzing. The tailgate lot where we parked was already filling up with cars and the early party crowd. These were full fledged tailgate parties. They had stocked bars, grills, food warmers, lounging chairs, flat screen tvs, satellite, and lots of food. It was really something else.
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| Tailgating at ND |
We spent most of the morning walking around campus and checking things out. The campus was beautiful - a mix of old and new, traditional and non.
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| Touchdown Jesus |
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| Joe and Joe |
We did go to a tailgate party with Bob Higgins, the guy who was able to get us tickets. He had a nice set up with food and drinks. It was nice to have a beer with him and thank him for making the trip happen.
Before we made it to our seats we stood outside the stadium and watched the band march in. Everyone lined the street coming into the stadium and cheered as they marched into the tunnel.
We made it to our seats with a few minutes before kickoff. The stadium is sweet. The bottom ring was built back in 1930, this is the area we sat in. The upper ring was added on later, but you cannot tell unless you are inside and under the stadium. We had good seats - corner of the end zone about 40 rows up. The sun was high in the sky, not a cloud that we could see, and 80 degrees. Before the game a Stealth Bomber flew overhead. Those are something else.
Notre Dame played great. They ended up winning 59-33. They were doing whatever they wanted to on offense. Defense was a bit suspect. They did give up a lot of points and yards. When you score 59 points it is pretty hard to lose.
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| What a site! |
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| Scoreboard!!! |
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| At our seats |
It was a great experience watching a game in such a storied stadium. The fans, the atmosphere, and the football were one of a kind.
After the game they have mass at the Basilica on campus. They also have mass a many of the dorms. We went to the Basilica. It is a beautiful church. It was about 75% ND and 25% Air Force - and 100% Catholic.
After Mass we headed back to Chicago.
Can't wait to go back to South Bend!
