A Must See for Any College Football Fan
Written: Nov 27 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: A Great Atmosphere
Cons: Often Cold
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| joplinko's Full Review: Notre Dame Stadium |
The University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana has a rich legacy regarding their football team. Since the team originated in 1887, there have been 10 national championship seasons, and near 50 All-Americans, as well as six Heisman Trophy winners. Part of the rich legacy has been centered around the stadium in which the Fighting Irish have played in.
However, recently construction was done on the stadium so that the structure of the old stadium could be preserved, but expanded to provide more seating. The new stadium is merely a shell which really encompasses the walls of the old stadium. This preserves much of the old history of the stadium, while providing some new modern conviences. The stadium seats around sixty thousand people, and nearly always sells out.
I attended my first Notre Dame football game when I was thirteen years old. The Irish were playing Keyshawn Johnson and the USC Trojans. My dad and I arrived at the stadium very early, parking easily off campus about four hours before kickoff, and then we toured some part of the campus around the stadium. We saw some classic elements of Notre Dame's rich legacy of football. On the side of the library there is a large mural done of Jesus, with his arms spread wide looking towards the stadium, he is always kindly referred to as "Touchdown Jesus." Another piece of art that has taken on gridiron significance is a large sculpture of Moses, with his arm in the air holding up one finger. Students refer to the sculpture as "First Down Moses." Another stop that we made was at the Morris Inn, the hotel on campus. At the Morris Inn alumni and other visitors gather for food and drink before the game. The inn has large TVs that broadcast all other college games that are going on that day. Between all the sightseeing and nostalgia, the famous Notre Dame Marching Band and the Irish Guard, essentially the leaders of the band, are playing songs on the steps of Bond Hall, located near the Golden Dome. The game day atmosphere even many hours before the game is incredible, with the band playing the fight song, and the enormous crowds of people in Irish garb walking around campus. Tail gating is very popular at Notre Dame and the many students gather in the parking lot before the game to grill hot dogs and throw the football around for fun.
The stadium itself is impressive as well. The outside is slate gray and the structure has clean lines and a traditional bowl shape at the top. The is gold writing on the outside proclaiming the stadium to be that of the University of Notre Dame. For the enormous amount of people who attend the games, getting into the stadium is relatively easy, the lines are very short. Our seats for the USC game were in the corner of the endzone behind the marching band. It was a rainy, cold day in October. But when the Irish took the field the stands exploded with an gigantic roar. The crowd did not stop cheering until the Irish won four quarters later. The students of the University stand for the enitre game. They have their unique cheers on kickoff and when the Irish score a touchdown. Students hoist themselves on other students and do seven push ups in the air, though dangerous when thirty kids are doing push ups in the bleachers you can't help but be infected with the spirit of the Irish.
Also the leprachon and cheerleaders greatly add to the excitement of the game.
The facilities of the stadium were those of the older stadium, and were bathtub like. The lines during half time were very long, but during the game there weren't any. The stadium's vendors sell innumerable hats, shirts, programs, socks, glove, etc. of the Irish at reasonable prices. The food in the stadium is of good quality and the lines are usually not very long, outside halftime. Also the food is fairly priced as compared with the prices in NFL stadiums. Also, coffee and coco really serve to keep fans warm during the cold of the South Bend fall. Tickets were about 25 dollars for endzone seating, but become slightly more expensive as the seats get better.
The stadium and the team are a classic piece of collegiate football history. The enthusiasm of the fans and the atmosphere of the stadium, along with the rich tradition of the team make Notre Dame one of a must see for any college football fan.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
joplinko
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Location: Tampa, Fl.
Reviews written: 31
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