Road Trip!

PB110012
Originally uploaded by sethsdisciple.

I took my nephew on a trip to see two of my favorite things in the world. Badger Hockey and Notre Dame football.

He is a sophmore in HS and is starting to look at schools. His pop went to ND, his mom went to ND, and he hadn't been in the stadium for a football game yet. I wouldn't be my father's son if I didn't take it upon myself to get him in there. Of course, it took my Dad digging up tickets for us, as well as my wife (8 months pregnant) letting me do it. She's a sweetie.

So we left Friday at about noon to make the 7 p.m. face-off in Madison. We passed some funny business on the road heading up. You see the strangest things driving through Illinois.





We got to Madison in time to grab a bite and head over for warmups. I love the UW band dearly. Anyone who worked anywhere near me at my old job no doubt heard the UW Band CD blaring through my earphones. There seemed to be some sort of student dance party going on during warmups.



Wisconsin, the number 5 team in the country, was playing Colorado College, the number 1 team in the country. 2-2 tie, but what a great game.



We stayed the night at my parents house in Milwaukee, before heading out at 6 a.m. for South Bend.

We got there in time to get to the bookstore and wander around campus a little.



And head over towards the Dome where a very nice gentleman posed us (he maneuvered us around pretty good).



We then headed over to see the band "step off," one of my favorite game day traditions. The guys in the kilts are called the Irish Guard, and essentially knock people out of the band's way when they march. Oh yeah, and they dance, but more on that later. To be in the Irish Guard you have to be 6' 4" or something like that. I think my neph would be a fine candidate.







Basically, the band plays a concert an hour and 15 minutes before the game. Then, about 50 minutes before the game, the march over to the stadium from the in front of the dome playing the Victory March and Hike, Notre Dame. But my favorite part is the drum cadences in between the songs. Tons of people (see pictures) like to be there and march with the band to the stadium...I know I do.

Then the game. What can I say? It was an ND game, and we did what we should do against Navy. Double them up. And then something really cool happened. After the game, when the Navy team went over to their students and band for the playing of "Anchors Away," the ND players walked over and stood respectfully behind them.



Here is why I love Charlie...he is a great football coach (until evidence proves otherwise), but he also seems to be teaching the players the right lessons. Like respect for the guys from the service acadamies who are about to sacrifice an awful lot for their country. I have never seen anything like that before, and it made me proud.

And then, the Irish Guard danced a victory clog. Which they only do when Notre Dame wins. If they lose, the band plays the same song, but the Guard just stands there. I love that. I know the picture is too big for the template, but you should really see this shit.



What a great weekend. And we were home that night. That is a lot of action for 36 hours.

And in the car getting onto the freeway coming out of South Bend, my Dad calls my cell and says "you know, you could still get to Madison for the game tonight." I think I have not achieved his level yet...maybe some day when Kathy and the litl' un can come along.