It’s all happening at Martin’s Supermarket…
Approximately 20 tanned, tall and muscular co-eds hovered around the salad bar this afternoon adhering to their training table. This was the perennial strong Santa Clara Women’s Soccer team. I introduced myself to several, wished them luck for Friday night and informed them that my niece Julie Scheidler was a starter on the ND team. And while small…she was very fast and tough. But looking at the girls (several larger than me), I asked that they please not hurt Julie.
Next, I had a few moments in the check-out line with current Dillon Hall Rector Fr. Paul Doyle. He shares Chaplain duties for home and away football games. It is noteworthy that Coach BK selects a “theme” for the team each week and tries to convey that message throughout the week in practice, meetings and Masses and he asks the Priests to try to address the message in their homilies. A CSC insider suggests to me that this is unprecedented, and welcomed.
I ducked quickly next door to Walgreen’s to compare beer prices where the Miller Lite was $2.00/case more than the Martin’s special of $13.99 as Pat Flynn, President of Indiana Beverage, had advised. At the check-out line was Digger Phelps (holding a Sympathy or Birthday card—I could not tell).
Digger recognized me from a number of encounters, probably most lately in April when Bruce Flowers and I were in Parisi’s for dinner with our lovely wives Cathy and Maureen after the Blue-Gold Game. Owner Roberto informed us that while Coach Mike Brey was in the bar, Digger was playing in a celebrity golf tournament in California. He dialed Digger up on his cell phone speaker as Digger related his story of saving Joe Montana from transferring from ND because he wanted to play both basketball and football and Digger told him to focus on football…and to stay at ND.
Digger was casual in jeans and a faded t-shirt, shoes and no socks. He actually looked sort of pale…probably sans ESPN make-up. Anyway, I reminded him that Bruce was coordinating a Reunion tailgater with Marc Kelly, John Paxson and some other hoopsters to join us at Joyce Lamp Post #3 for the Michigan game, followed by dinner at Parisi’s Saturday night.
As we left, I cited my razor fresh haircut from our barber Armando. Digger stated, “I am sorry for your pain…sitting in that chair for 30 minutes.”
Proceeding to my car to wait for Maureen to bring out the groceries, I was without car keys for maybe 12-15 minutes…as was another ND’er just one car away— #3 Joe Montana….also waiting for his wife Jennifer. We spoke at length about classmates, teammates (his), Coach Kelly, underage drinking in South Bend, his vineyard in California and the general state of the world.
As a reference point, I informed Joe that his Class President Pat Flynn was now the President of Indiana Beverage. Joe responded, “Are you serious? Flynn is getting paid to drink beer?” (More to follow).
As we all know and remember Joe, he remains fairly reserved. I may have asked him more questions than he asked me.
Our wives appeared, we helped load the groceries, we avoided a “man hug”, and nodded and waved good-bye to each other.
Later, the weather cleared and I took my bike for a ride around campus. Stopping at the LaBar Football Practice Field, security was tight and the windscreens were taut for no peeking. There was no Springsteen or Bon Jovi blaring (ala CW), but there was a lot of “coach-speak” yelling.
Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick was approaching the entrance and he immediately waved a friendly “Hello”. I shook his hand and stated that as an Alum, we are observing Coach Kelly as making the right appearances and saying and doing the right things.
Jack thanked me for that observation and added, “It has been a wonderful experience working with Brian. He is very refreshing.”
Something compelled me to continue toward the new Irish Bar at Eddy Street Commons—Kildare’s—because Flynn was having a late afternoon sales meeting there. Plus, a quick Guinness might not be so bad.
As sure as sunshine in San Diego, Flynn was there holding court. And 10 feet away at the bar was very coincidentally Joe and Jennifer (see above). I assured Joe that I was not stalking him and Flynn was to blame for our second encounter within an hour. Joe agreed.
While I was speaking to Joe (and not ignoring Jennifer), several patrons approached us for a picture. Joe has a standard response. “I am sorry but I do not take pictures after the last lawsuit.”
I was curious and asked Joe what he meant because he had also waved off another request in the Martin’s parking lot with the same explanation.
Apparently, when Joe was on the K.C. Chiefs, there was a fan in the locker room after the game. Joe assumed that the guy had credentials and knew someone. Joe posed for a picture with him. Later, the guy sent the picture to Joe for an autograph which Joe signed with something innocent like, “To my friend, ____–Joe Montana.”
Later, this dude lined-up investors for a bogus Hollywood movie representing that his good pal Joe Montana was a major partner in the venture and had put up a lot of his own $$$…and “by the way—here is a picture of Joe and me.”
Joe had to appear in court. And as a result, he is done with pictures. Needless to say, I did not ask for a picture for this Blog.
I thought about attending Brian Kelly’s live radio show at “Legends” (every Thursday at 7:00pm), but I had heard that the crowds were huge. So I drove past and passed. Onward to Rocco’s for legendary pizza with Father “Broadway” Joe Carey.
Rocco’s was jammed on a Thursday. We said hello to Coach Tony Alford. He is a trivia question as the only coach retained by BK from CW’s staff. That seems to say something.
It was quiet the rest of the way and I could finally enjoy a few peaceful moments after a very full Thursday.
GO IRISH.
Abe
