Utes Part 2 (11/12/10)

Greetings all. Friday on campus…

“I am an ND coaching legend by default…”

Upon returning to Armando’s to drop off some ND-Army tickets (very plentiful…go figure), the most successful living ND Men’s Basketball coach was there preparing for his shampoo and cut. Digger seems to associate me with Bruce Flowers (which is fine) and I associate him with big open collar shirts, gold chains and “Disco Night” at Senior Bar.

I asked him why ND seemed mired in the middle of the Big East and he huffed, “You’re from Philadelphia. Where did Wayne Ellington and Gerald Henderson go to college?” I responded UNC and Duke, of course. He continued, “25 years ago, those guys would have been attending ND. And that’s the difference today—our inability to recruit.”

He humbly concluded, “I am an ND coaching legend by default. Where are the players and the coaches since I left?”

Then, Digger took off his sweatshirt and next whipped-off his t-shirt as if he was on the beach—naked from the waist up.

(And I guess this makes sense to take your shirt off if you are getting your hair washed; why not?)

But this brought back flashbacks to 2009 ND Reunion Weekend when a group of us on a private tour of The Gug unsuspectingly stumbled upon Charlie Weis in the whirlpool. (That Blog was subsequently censored and taken down from the internet.)

Digger’s shampoo was completed and Armando worked his styling skills to shape the Dapper Digger we see regularly on ESPN (with shirt on).

Continuing to the ND Women’s basketball season opener against New Hampshire, ND jumped out to a 53-12 halftime lead. The highlight was the unfurling of the banner retiring Ruth Riley’s number and a tribute to the members of the 2001 National Championship team. Ruth was gracious for autographs and pictures.  She holds the distinction as the only woman to win and NCAA Championship, and Olympic Gold Medal and a WNBA Championship.

Ruth Riley at halftime

The Pep Rally was outside on The Green and was well-attended, especially by an influx of Utah fans. The crowd was treated to an appearance by Raghib “The Rocket” Ismail. He resisted mentioning the Heisman that should have been his. And who really remembers Ty Detmer?

On a beautiful Fall day, the campus was overrun by Utes. This could be like the Nebraska game several years ago with a sea of red if ND “fans” have sold their tickets to the enemy. We will know on game day if we see more than about 5000 Utah fans in the stands.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dillon Hall Rector Emeritus Fr. “Broadway” Joe Carey stops to see former Dillonites “Pro” Burke, Abe Kohler, daughter Katie and Mrs. Kohler—SMC ’81…4-year Varsity Monogram winner in Tennis and Basketball for the Belles.

By the way, what is a “Ute”?

I believe Fred Gywnn asked that of Joe Pesci in “My Cousin Vinny”.

“Your Honor…there were two utes…”

I have seen both Kyle Rudolph and Dayne Crist several times around campus in their golf carts and crutches.  At the beginning of this season, these roommates were an exciting tandem. Now they are shelved.

Dayne Crist (on right) being chauffeured

We closed the evening at Kildare’s Irish Pub. I cannot report that Joe & Jennifer Montana were there as they were several weeks ago when Pat Flynn and Brad Hendrix hosted them (as guests of Indiana Beer).

                                                            J & J at Kildare’s
But they know they are always invited to our tailgater at Joyce Lamp Post #3…as they attended and had a great time (by all accounts) for the Purdue game.  Great friends…great times.

Joe and pals enjoying pre-game

It’s time to sign-off to get some rest for the 5:30am alarm to set our tailgate at Joyce Lamp Post #3. And after seeing 100’s and 100’s of Utes over-running the campus, I’ll end with one of the great sequences from “My Cousin Vinny”:

Vinny Gambini: It is possible that the two yutes…
Judge Chamberlain Haller: …Ah, the two what? Uh… uh, what was that word?
Vinny Gambini: Uh… what word?
Judge Chamberlain Haller: Two what?
Vinny Gambini: What?
Judge Chamberlain Haller: Uh… did you say ‘yutes’?
Vinny Gambini: Yeah, two yutes.
Judge Chamberlain Haller: What is a yute?
[beat]
Vinny Gambini: Oh, excuse me, your honor…
[exaggerated]
Vinny Gambini: Two YOUTHS.

Peace-out.
GO IRISH!
Abe

 

 

Among the former gridiron greats on campus for the Utah game, the masses
parted when one of the all-time greatest ND defensive stars strode regally
through the Joyce Lot to visit friends. Luther (#20) Bradley was
All-American and All-Everything. He looks like he could still play–big,
strong and fit. And very friendly and out-going. He stopped and chatted for
awhile. What fans and grads of our era wouldn’t want to discuss the 1977
National Championship season with Luther?