It was just my fifth chemistry lecture in college. But that was when it happened. At the end of class, my professor took a match and threw it on the table. This guy has to be crazy to do that. But he was only crazy about football.
The flame shone green and spelled out "Go Irish" while my professor said in his Scottish accent "Go Eye-riiishh" on the eve of the first game of the season. (Side note: a green flame means calcium, right? Or potassium? Hell if I know, I'm a business major now.) To have a tenured, respected professor willingly set his classroom on fire, football had to be something more than a game, a sport.
But you already knew that.
On gameday, I was woken up by a pounding on my door only to have upperclassmen stroll in and give my roommates and I each a good-morning-it's-gameday-get-out-of-bed-and-start-drinking beer. A mere half hour later, the guys that used to live in the room dropped by with 24 of their closest friends named Budweiser. (Side note: I am, sadly, not living there anymore.) To have hallmates - old and new - pass out free beer, football had to be something more than a game, a sport.
But you already knew that.
One day, I had class in the Loftus Center (the indoor practice facility in the Gug for those unfamiliar), a trek from my room on an early Tuesday morning. What greets me as I walk through the tall wooden doors? Just a crystal ball and seven bronze stiff-arm looking statues. And there was every positional trophy you could think of. Outland? Check. Camp? Check. Maxwell? Check. Biletnikoff? Check. To have your storied tradition out in the open to normal students, football had to be something more than a game, a sport.
But you already knew that.
I will do my best to keep you informed and updated from campus even while her loyal sons are marching onward to get more beer.
By vegasmark August 22, 2011 - 10:50 pm
It sounds like you’ll fit in just fine here! Welcome, and GO IRISH!!!
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By trey August 22, 2011 - 11:12 pm
Other than we need to get you some better brewskies, solid opening post. Love that tag line at the end
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By The Biscuit August 22, 2011 - 11:36 pm
When at ND, I considered Bud an extravagance. #NattyLight
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By Nate August 23, 2011 - 12:27 am
Sounds like it was all free. And when you’re a student, free beer is good beer.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By Brad August 23, 2011 - 6:57 am
Correction.
Free beer is the BEST beer.
Cold beer is a close second.
Everything else is way down the list.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By Irish007 August 23, 2011 - 3:53 pm
Correction.
Free Beer is the Best.
Good Beer is Second.
Cold Beer is Third.
I’d rather have a good warm beer than a bad cold beer anyday.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By trey August 23, 2011 - 8:08 am
I understand fully and im in the same boat. Whilst At my alma mater, I too engaged in drinking some foul brew(sunk so low as to drink Corona) so i full completely understand the sacrifices one makes during his matriculation. Im just saying, he’s part of the HLS family so we need to make sure he’s treated appropriately. We have so few standards here, but drinking good beer is one of them.
Grantland, email me your address. Id like to send you a small care package.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By The Biscuit August 23, 2011 - 9:04 am
Illegal benefit! Hamilton and the Chicago Trib will be all over you!!!!
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By trey August 23, 2011 - 10:02 am
Just call me ‘Nevin’
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By Brad August 23, 2011 - 12:19 pm
Best not tell on him Biscuit. Snitches get stitches for talkin’ like bitches.
Word.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By Erik '04 August 23, 2011 - 3:58 pm
I realize that Corona is the taco-bell of Mexican beers, but I can’t believe you’re putting it in the same category as warm pi–I mean Natty Light.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By trey August 23, 2011 - 7:35 pm
Corona-Mexican p—
Natty-Nor’easterner p—
Seems pretty appropriate to me
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By Savage August 24, 2011 - 11:46 am
Does that make Keystone “Midwesterner p—”?
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By tjak August 22, 2011 - 11:36 pm
X-Man, welcome and I look forward to hearing more from you. All the best.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By TLNDMA August 23, 2011 - 4:34 am
So far, I like the way you think kid.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By Brad August 23, 2011 - 6:59 am
Welcome aboard, Grantland. It’ll be nice to have some insight from someone on campus who can feel the pulse of the student body. Most everyone else here is either some years out, or a South Bend local, or Subway up in NY. But nobody gets the same perspective as a current student.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By OderName August 23, 2011 - 7:25 am
Welcome GX. The best community around just got a little bigger and a little better.
Looking forward to the nostalgia you’ll bring to those of us who are 10, 20, 30 years or more removed from our Glory Days (does the ‘Backer still play that 5 times per night?)
Even better, you could use the Sideline as a place for non-football related happenings on (and off) campus.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By Brad August 23, 2011 - 12:19 pm
Actually, the ‘Backer plays a lot of Michael Jackson everytime I go there.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By OderName August 23, 2011 - 11:00 pm
Please God no. And no, that’s not blasphemy, it’s a legit prayer. Yes, as in Living on a Prayer, the only song played more at the Backer than Glory Days, during my Glory Days, at least.
And if you’re wondering, yes, my soon-to-be-born son, after my two daughters (Meagan and Katie) will be named Finnegan.
If you’re a product of ND around the turn of the century you know what I’m talking about.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By DY August 23, 2011 - 8:28 am
You’ve got my attention… Can’t wait for the season and stories/memories to begin once again.
GO IRISH!
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By Mark G August 23, 2011 - 11:00 am
The excitement on the campus about the football season was palpable when we moved both our daughters into their dorms this past weekend, and during the Frosh-O sessions.
Kelly spoke to the freshman at the end of the session on Sunday. I compare his brief comments to those of Charlie two years ago when our oldest daughter was a freshman. First, Kelly followed Muffett McGraw, and stood next to her and spoke to her after he spoke. Very un-Charlie like. Second, rather than talking about how great the team is going to be, etc., Kelly spoke about family and faith, and then introduced the cheerleaders and the band. Short, sweet and he will let the team do its talking on the field.
Looking forward to more of your reports from the campus.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By stewvee August 23, 2011 - 1:08 pm
Awesome. Welcome! And nothin wrong with The King of Beers, either.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By trey August 23, 2011 - 7:45 pm
Yes there is
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By Jeremy August 23, 2011 - 2:58 pm
Welcome, Grantland. Looking forward to the on-campus perspective!
By the way, for those still looking for ND tickets, alumni can get tickets through mynotredame.com for the S. Florida, Air Force, Navy, and BC games.
Alas, no Michigan State tickets available…
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By trey August 23, 2011 - 7:48 pm
I’ll see what i can find.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By Jeremy August 24, 2011 - 4:55 pm
Sweet. I am looking for 3 MSU tickets, in a perfect world, but will certainly take 4 or even 2 if avab. I will not pay more than face value, for the record, but I will pay a finder’s fee and service and handling and processing, whatever.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By The Subway Domer August 23, 2011 - 8:55 pm
I can’t believe you didn’t capitalize Her Loyal Sons in the last paragraph.
First Poot- now this… jeesh.
j/k Welcome to the club. We go shopping for rare sports coats on Wednesdays.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By NostraDomina August 24, 2011 - 8:12 am
Oh, A. Graham Lappin, what kooky hijinx will you think of next?
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By Grantland-X August 24, 2011 - 9:07 am
And boom goes the dynamite
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0