Notre Dame Trip Day #2: Game Day Festivities

"I really believe that Our Lady watches over this place. I feel I ought to stop in and say thanks, and also pray that she keeps watching over it." ~Father Theodore Hesburgh, former Notre Dame President

You know how sometimes when you are so excited about something, you build it up so much in your head that it can never live up to what you expect? Well, I was really worried that 27 years of dreaming about game day at Notre Dame would ruin the experience. I was so wrong....it was better than I could have ever imagined!

ND Friend and I woke up super early and made the drive from Chicago to South Bend. Then we arrived, and I got my first glimpse of Notre Dame! I tried to keep reminding myself to breathe so I would not pass out.

Anyway, even though we got on campus around 8:30, there were already a lot of people milling around. Our first stop was the bookstore, where I loaded up on Notre Dame gear for myself and the family for Christmas (family: at surprised when you open your gifts). You will notice a quick wardrobe change in the following pictures...I purchased my official ND hoodie at the store, but in the end, I think I like the one the ND friend lent more more. Go figure....buyer's remorse!

Then we just walked around and toured the beautiful campus. The campus itself is smaller than I expected, but is more beautiful in person than on tv. The buildings are all made of a yellow-ish brick color. It's surrounded by trees and two lakes, St. Mary and St. John.
This tour even included a stop at the building where Rudy lived while he was in school...which brought another reminder to myself to "keep breathing!"
I think my favorite place on campus was the Grotto. If you've seen Rudy, this is the outdoor area where Rudy goes to light a candle and pray to get accepted into Notre Dame. It's very peaceful and quiet and moving there. There are two quotes that I think bear sharing.

First, Father Hesburgh said, "Every university has a place where students hang out for their social life, libraries where they study, and playing fields where they play sports, but how many have a praying place?" I love this idea. While I was there, students would come in from running around the lake and stop in quickly to light a candle, say a prayer and be on their way. People come as they are---in running shorts, in suits, in football jerseys.....none of that matters. They simply come to pray.

If you ask me, we need more Grottos in the world.

Second, there is a plaque reciting a beautiful letter from a former student, Tom Dooley, who wrote from his death bed: "But just now . . . and just so many times, how I long for the Grotto. Away from the Grotto Dooley just prays. But at the Grotto, especially now when there must be snow everywhere and the lake is ice glass and that triangular fountain on the left is frozen solid and all the priests are bundled in their too-large too-long old black coats and the students wear snow boots . . . if I could go to the Grotto now then I think I could sing inside. I could be full of faith and poetry and loveliness and know more beauty, tenderness and compassion." After lighting my own candle and kneeling to pray myself, I understood this letter much more. After the Grotto, we headed to the Bascilica of the Sacred Heart. It was absolutly beautiful. The football team all comes over for Mass prior to heading to the stadium for games. Love that!
One of the most recognized landmarks at Notre Dame is the Golden Dome that sits atop the Main Building. Definite photo op on my list!
As we walked around the crowd started to build. But what was different than crowds at OSU on game day was that these people were as excited to see the campus and take pictures at various places as they were about the football game. It was like being in Times Square or some sort of tourist attraction rather than at a tailgate. The bagpipers and the band wondered around campus and played for all of the visitors. It was awesome.

We also went past the law school building. As I said on facebook, I was just one BIG scholarship from going there myself! Sigh. I suppose my life has worked out nonetheless.

We ended our tour at Touchdown Jesus. Another classic photo op.

And this was where we met up with the other New Mexico folks who were visiting! My friend, Mr. FFA, is a current student at Notre Dame. He and Little Brother were State FFA Officers together and he's one of Little Brother's best friends. So I was excited to catch up with him! Also in South Bend for the game was my friend High School Buddy and his dad. So we all got to chat and catch up and spend the day together.
We grabbed a quick steak sandwich for lunch (we're all ag kids from cattle ranches you know!) and headed to watch the Notre Dame band plan on the steps of Bond Hall. Turns out this was a game day tradition.

After that, we rushed to the Main Building to stand under the golden dome. All of the trumpet players from the band filed in the levels going up into the dome and played several songs, including the Notre Dame fight song. It was awesome.....if you ever go to a game at Notre Dame, this is easy to miss, but it's something you have to do!

And then....it was time. We headed over to the stadium for the football game. On the way, I dropped my ticket. Thank goodness some nice lady saw me do it. I would probably have had a nervous breakdown had I missed the game. Not having a heart attack was added that to my list of things to be thankful for that day!