Greetings from Notre Dame where the Fighting Irish are preparing to play the #15 Utah Utes, a respected team coming into South Bend after an Obama-like shellacking from TCU last week.
Every memorable home game begins with a trip to the “stylist to the stars” and the man who “Cuts like a Champion”—coiffure extraordinaire Armando.
Heading to Armando’s on Thursday, I was a bit superstitious for the fact that many of my fellow haircutees that I have met at Armando’s this season have not done well since. This has included (see previous blogs) Armando Allen, Theo Riddick, Kyle Rudolph, Carlos Calabrese and Coach Brian Kelly.
The absolute treat and highlight of the Armando styling season was the greatest living coach in ND history also sitting for a haircut before leaving for Florida—the legendary Coach Ara Parseghian. He is a grandfatherly gentle, yet strong, man with snow-white hair and a robust style—even for an 82-year old. He was very approachable and warm.
I re-introduced myself reminding him of our conversation at the “Coaches for Charity” function in July 2007 at the Chicago Hilton (co-chaired by pal Kevin Dages). He seemed to recall the intimate pre-banquet cocktail reception and our conversation very well. In fact, when I also reintroduced wife Maureen as an O’Brien from Indianapolis and one of 14 children of Tom (ND ’53) O’Brien, Ara also immediately noted—“Yes, the car dealer from Indianapolis with all of the kids.” (Back in the day, father-in-law Tom provided cars to the ND coaches.)
I was very disciplined not to ask Ara if he would have gone for the FG to win the game vs. Tulsa (why ask a question if you already know the answer?). And after the debacle I witnessed first-hand at the Meadowlands vs. Navy, I was also tempted to ask Ara to describe the nuances of the Triple Option and the best way to defend (or at least make halftime adjustments)…but I decided to keep the conversation lighter.
After he signed a special item for me, Ara asked if I also wanted a picture? “Sure…why not, Coach?”
Abe & Ara at Armando’s
Finally, it was my turn. So after 4 weeks, I was back in Armando’s chair. He was stunned and perhaps a bit shaken to ask, “Jeff…what is that on top of your head?!?”
Armando chopped and styled and brought me back to perfection. Afterwards, he exclaimed, “Jeff…that was 3 pounds of hair on your skull. Gone now!” It was an incredible relief. I am now more aerodynamic, sleeker and faster.
BEFORE
AFTER
Continuing at Armando’s, ND Wide Receivers Coach Tony Alford is a regular. Interestingly, his younger brother Aaron is the Running Backs coach for the Utes. Both played at Colorado State. Apparently, ND coaches have been keeping a low profile and Assistants have not been speaking to the media at all.
Coach Kelly has also seemingly has had a lower and has not been into Armando’s for a cut in over 3 weeks. He must look pretty shaggy. Although Armando would agree to cut Charlie Weis’ hair in the privacy and solitude of 5:00am in his shop so no one would bother CW, BK has not made any similar request.
As we were leaving, Theo Riddick and Nick Tausch arrived. Theo appears to be out for the season. And we know that scholarship kicker Tausch has lost his job to the Rudy-esque walk-on David Ruffer. But they are still diligent about keeping good close haircuts.
Later in the day, while dropping some tickets off, I crossed paths with NBC announcer Tom Hammonds. His Philadelphia area partner in the booth (personal friend of Dr. Rick Behler and fellow member at Overbrook Country Club) Mike Mayock was not with him. Hammonds also has white wavy hair, but is not nearly as dignified as Ara.
On a somber note, we walked over to the LeBar Practice Field Thursday afternoon. At the site where the scissors lift blew back and over onto the pavement and where young Declan Sullivan lost his life. There was a small makeshift memorial of flowers and candles, presumably left by fellow students.
Everything else seems strangely “normal” with practice underway and students up on the tower platforms filming the practice and the coaches barking orders.
The laughter we heard came from three SUV’s loaded with maybe 12-15 “Hawaiian-appearing” fans—many wearing #5 jerseys, mugging for pictures at the gate, giving the “hang loose hand sign” and then going into the closed practice. My supposition is that this group may have known Manti Te’o.
Rocco’s for pizza Thursday night, as usual. Always a treat and even more so when you are fortunate enough to be joined by Pat (“The Hood”) Flynn. Not only did Pat, lovely wife Laura and business associate Brad Hendrix join us…Mr. Big picked-up the tab! Business entertainment I am presuming for “good will” for Indiana Beer—whose #1 selling beer is Miller Lite.
Pat Flynn, President—Indiana Beer
It is now a beautiful Fall Friday morning in South Bend and the campus is preparing for a very busy day to include the ND Women’s hoops season opener at 4:00pm vs. New Hampshire for a sell-out crowd. The 2001 National Championship team will be in attendance and honored before the game (10 year anniversary.) Next, the Men will open their season at 8:30pm vs. Georgia Southern and this is also sold-out.
And let’s not forget the #8-ranked ND Women’s Soccer team opening their playoff run tonight at 7:30pm vs. New Mexico featuring 4-year starter on Defense Julie Scheidler (my niece).
Time to get going to buy tailgate supplies for the last home game of 2010…a season that began with so much anticipation and still has so many questions.
Catch you all on the flip-flop. Peace out.
GO IRISH!
Abe