Here Come the Irish (cont'd)

meandered across the campus, until he came upon a statue of Moses, on the west side of Hesburgh Library.

Moses is striding forward, with his right hand overhead, forefinger pointed straight up to the heavens, proclaiming that there is one true God.  To Notre Dame fans, the name of the statue is obvious: “We’re No.1 Moses.”

With the sun setting, Cap retrieved his car and drove to Hammes Bookstore, on Notre Dame Blvd.  Inside, as the melodic “Here Come the Irish" floated from speakers above, he roamed the aisles, upstairs and down, checking out souvenirs and gameday gear.   But the afternoon's exploration had left him ravenous, and the Thursday night college game was kicking off, so he was soon on the road, in search of food and football.

TC headed back up 31 to Damon's, where with numerous huge screens and an audio control at his table, life was good.  As he woofed down a platter of babyback ribs and followed the action on the tube, he reviewed the day's discoveries and looked to Friday.

Back at the motel, the parking lot was filling up.  Irish fans were pouring in - gameday was on its way.  

Friday
Friday morning, Cap hit the exercise room and pool for an early workout, then headed to Sorin’s at the Morris Inn, for breakfast.  He parked in the Hammes Bookstore lot and took the short stroll to the Morris, next door.  Sorin’s Restaurant, bedecked in dark wood and white linen, is named after the University’s founder. 

Cap sat beside murals depicting the early Notre Dame campus, and scanned the menu.  He chose the Fighting Irish Breakfast of griddlecakes, eggs, ham, raisin toast, orange juice and espresso, downed it all, then took off for the Joyce Center.

He walked around the south end of the stadium, across Juniper, and into the Joyce.  Upstairs, he found The Sports Heritage Hall.  Display cases line the walls with trophies, vintage photos and memorabilia that tell the story of Fighting Irish football, and lead to the present. 

The Notre Dame football program is truly one of the elite programs in the nation.

It boasts a storied history and a rich tradition built on a record of winning against quality opponents, an independent status resulting in a nationwide following, and some of the most legendary and recognizable names associated with the game.

2005 was the first year for head coach Charlie Weis and the Fighting Irish Faithful are hopeful.  This could be their return to glory.  If not this year, then soon.  The Spirit Lives. 

The Irish Courtyard
Cap browsed the gift shops, upstairs and down, then left the Joyce and headed across the street to the east side of Notre Dame Stadium to the statue of Frank Leahy, legendary Irish coach who fielded dominant ND teams in the 40’s.

Leaving Leahy, he strolled around the north end of the House that Rock Built, and there it was - on the south wall of the Hesburgh Library, facing the stadium, the huge mosaic of Jesus with arms raised, as The Teacher.  The name of the picture is The Word of Life.  Jesus appears to be signaling a touchdown, and naturally, students years ago named the mural “Touchdown Jesus.”  Visible from inside the stadium, Touchdown Jesus has become a landmark familiar to fans nationwide as synonymous with the Notre Dame football scene.

Looking in the gate at the north end, he could see through the tunnel where the teams come out, and into the north end zone. Instinctively, he reached for his wallet and took it out – his game ticket. “Ticket in hand,” he murmured, and reassured, he was on his way.

Cap headed to The Huddle, bought a Coke and lounged under the trees in front of the Dome, reading newspapers - The Observer, South Bend Tribune and the USA Today - prepping for tomorrow's showdowns across the nation, until his stomach told him that it was time for food.

He headed back down Notre Dame Blvd. to the Morris Inn.  Built in 1950 with a $1 million dollar gift from Ernest Morris, a 1906 Notre Dame Law School grad, the Morris Inn is reserved in its entirety for Trustees on gameday weekends, and also is home to Leahy's Bar, across the hall from Sorin's Restaurant.

On Fridays and Saturdays of home football games, a large tent is erected out back in the Irish Courtyard, open to the public, serving food, soft drinks and cocktails.  He found a seat at a table with a group from Maryland, in for the game.  They were upbeat about the chances for an Irish victory, but passed on a disturbing piece of news: tomorrow's forecast was for rain.

Oh well, the outdoors is for football - and he could buy raingear – so bring it on.  That’s the thing about coming in early, he thought – even if gameday weather isn’t perfect, you have a good chance for nice weather on campus, another day.  And today was beautiful, clear and cool.  Two hot dogs, chips and a drink and he was good to go.

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