Greetings Friends-
I am having an excellent ND vacation this week following the disappointing USC loss and in anticipation of BC this weekend. However, the storms began at 1:00am this morning and the rain is torrential—Biblical proportions. The forecast for Saturday is very unpleasant with a rain and sleet mix.
I have it confirmed from Armando that The Big Man had his hair cut at 6:00am this morning. Armando refuses to go to CW’s office to cut his hair so the compromise is The Coach arriving before dawn. CW was gracious to give Armando four tickets for the game…but of course, there is a glut of tickets and they are everywhere.
Speaking of haircuts, I missed Ara by 30 minutes on Wednesday. And I had a book for him to sign for a present. Armando will handle it for me. Ara is scheduled for one more haircut here before he heads to Florida for the winter.
It was clear and pleasant for football practice yesterday. The pulse of the music was blaring from the facility. Coach Weis had the speakers blaring with his traditional Jersey medley for Thursday practices. After four Bon Jovi songs, The Boss was roaring. “Born to Run” was echoing across the campus (“1-2-3-4…!). The leaves were falling and I could see the ND Stadium Press Box from my deck. Hey…this ain’t Avalon or South Beach…but it is mine– and this is what I do in the fall.
At the beginning of this excellent week, Monday included a little trip to Highland Cemetery at Portage & Lathrop Streets to visit the humble gravesite of the greatest college coach ever. This discreet location cannot be founded without a guide such as local legend Pat (“Call me Mr. Beer”) Flynn. He snapped the truly excellent attached picture. Sadly, vandals have chipped small pieces from the headstone for keepsakes.
Next, it was off to “Legends” campus restaurant and pub for the “Reggie Brooks” radio show with special guest Robbie Parris, who caught 9 passes for 92 yards and famously head his head nearly snapped-off by a USC cheapshot. He did not seem groggy from the feared concussion, but he was limping pretty good. I spoke to him for a few minutes afterwards. He graduated from St. Ignatius H.S. in Cleveland. I asked him if he had heard of Teddy Horanksy, our LG on the ’77 National Championship team, who graduated from Cathedral Latin in Cleveland. He asked if Teddy went to Latin before or after it closed. Actually, he was bright and personable. He has a 3.2 GPA in Business.
At the JACC on Tuesday afternoon, Coach Mike Brey was walking from his office to practice. I flagged him down. He knows me…as long as I start each conversation reminding him that I am pals with Bruce Flowers. He and Luke Harangoody were heading to NYC the next day for the Big East Media Day where Luke would be named the pre-season “Player of the Year”. I wished Mike luck this season. After seeing that ND is picked to finish 8th, I am pondering staying through next week for open try-outs for walk-ons on 10-29. I believe I have eligibility remaining.
Muffet McGraw was also walking toward the Monogram Room where they were setting-up for the Women’s Pre-Season Hoops banquet. I gave her a “Philly nod” and an “index finger point”. She reciprocated with the head nod, but must not be into the hand signals.
On Wednesday, I walked over to the football practice. They now have a Student Manager stationed outside the fence at the crossbars to retrieve any footballs that are kicked out into the street. They must have taken inventory to realize that an official ND “Wilson 1005” ball is missing.
Looking through the gate (closed practice), the Offense was on a knee as The Big Man was speaking. They looked quite attentive and CW was speaking with passion. They walked out the practice field as a large group with the players engulfing The Coach. I actually think the players are fond of Big Chuck. But I sure wish he would have recruited a Defense.
This is a low Recruiting Visits weekend following 24 prospects last week. I stopped by the office of former Assistant Coach Bill Lewis (former Head Coach at GT; original member of CW’s first staff). I asked him what the take was on the visits last week. He stated that they solidified a couple of commitments, believe they made 1-2 switches and they are still in process with the majority. In other words, “Don’t ask, Jeff.”
The College Football Hall of Fame is relocating to Atlanta in early 2010. There is a final line-up of greats scheduled each week. Jerry Rice is here today. I will try to track him down to ask his opinion of who was the greatest QB he ever played with.
We are heading the Athletic Director’s Reception hosted by Jack Swarbrick at the Monogram Room at 5:00pm today. When I last spoke to Jack at the NIT at MSG in March, I asked him about his coaching criteria. He stated that all ND coaches—whether it is Women’s Softball or Men’s Football—must win or be showing substantial progress toward that objective. I may ask him for an update if I have the chance.
We also have a private tour scheduled Saturday at 9:00am for the ND Stadium locker room (you can recall that “Rudy” scene). The tradition in that room is exhilarating.
Heading out in the monsoon to see what is happening around campus.
I will be back to you.
GO IRISH.
BEAT BC!
Abe