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Friday Roundup: The “Let’s Buy Some History” Edition

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Steve Boda CollectionWaaaay back during the 2012 season, we helped promote “Strong of Heart” which featured Notre Dame Football statistician/historian, Steve Boda. Mr. Boda has left this mortal coil; however, the years upon years of data and history that he compiled for Notre Dame is now in limbo via eBay auction.

Andrewwinn, our newest staff member and the man giving you a daily dose of ND News every morning, took some serious initiative and set up a GoFundMe drive to secure the files. The goal: get enough pledges to secure the cash to buy this. Assuming we do, we will organize pick up of the files, digitize them, make them available for generations to come, and (most importantly) donate all of the originals to Notre Dame.

Now, if you swing by the actual eBay listing, you will notice that it is currently closed. We’ve been in contact with the seller and he is concerned that the buyer isn’t legit. He knows we are interested and knows about our campaign.

With all that said, here’s the deal: if you want to be a part of securing Notre Dame’s football history, pledge at the GoFundMe page. Please note, that I said “pledge” as your card won’t be immediately charged. There is a lot that can go awry here and we realize that. So if this falls through, for any reason, you won’t be charged a single penny.

Let me repeat that: if we don’t get the files, you aren’t charged for anything.

This is quite a unique opportunity and one that we are all very serious about pulling off. However, it’s one that we can’t pull off without your help. So spread the word and let’s see if we can’t do something crazy here.

The Roundup

Speaking of GoFundMe campaigns, a quick word about Savin’ Aven. It has been some time since I’ve given an update on Aven, that awesome kid in our sidebar. The Savin’ Aven benefit is this weekend and my wife and I are travelling this weekend to attend. Sadly, Aven won’t be in attendance as he has been in and out of the hospital since the campaign started and travel won’t be in the cards. However, despite the hospital visits, he is making progress. He has gained weight, been eating solid foods regularly, and has been in good spirits. We are all hopeful that future hospital visits will only be for the planned treatment going forward.

If you’d like to chip in for a final push (and yeah, I know that’s asking a lot on top of the ND files), you can do so here.

Aven, smiling and happy despite the battle he must fight.

Aven, smiling and happy

And now an exercise in linguistics. Charlie Strong disagrees that he kicked anyone off the Texas Longhorns last season. Instead, he claims he more or less politely showed them the door. I’m sure there wasn’t a push at all.

Are you ready for ALL the fat guy touchdowns? Baylor sure is and they believe a 400-plus lbs. TE is the ticket.

Here’s yet another sad exhibit of why we need to be incredible careful with players’ brains. Ryan Hoffman, a former North Carolina O-lineman, has now found himself homeless and battling mental issues that many, including himself, believe are a result of his playing days.

Jim Harbaugh: A Michigan (Super)Man. He assisted two women after their car flipped during a car accident.

Ohio State had to self-report a recruiting violation. This was thanks to a rogue text from a four year-old.

Jim Delany has just made the SEC the voice of reason. Mike Slive wants to table any consideration of the Big Ten’s silly “Year of Readiness” proposal.

And now your moment of Nix…

I’m expecting big things here, coach. Don’t let us down.

The Booze

I’m honestly at a loss here. This weekend I’m traveling to not just Aven’s benefit, but also a baby shower in celebration of baby Tex. I suppose the correct answer to “what booze” in this situation is all of it, but I am honestly not sure if I will have much control in this situation. For those readers out in the Midwest, I’ll be around the Springfield, Illinois area for most of the weekend then flying out of St. Louis on Monday and I’m more than welcome to suggestions of local brews. Beyond grabbing something at Schafly’s, I’m a bit at a loss for what to be on the lookout for.

Ryan Ritter
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About Ryan Ritter

Editor-in-Chief
Texan by birth, Irish by choice.

First-generation Domer and a former student manager, HLS podcast host, HLS Sim creator, Extra Life streamer, and technical problem haver. You can find more non-Notre Dame related writing on his Patreon.