There is a danger in caring about the University of Notre Dame. It is a danger that is compounded when you are a Notre Dame alumnus, as I am.
When others think that you are only yearning for "the good old days" at Notre Dame, it can mean something different than it means at other places. To many alumni and supporters of the University, "the good old days" conveys a sense of integrity which should not be sold lest once it is out the door, it will never come back.
Recent articles here have explored recent unhappy developments at Notre Dame and in the highly visible Fightin' Irish Football program, particularly the developing cases of students who allegedly cheat rather than take tests. It develops that some or all of these people may have never made the academic cut but got in because they were offered football scholarship money to become so-called "student athletes," whereas not long ago the Notre Dame Football team captain was a walk-on academic All American who did not lead the team so much as he exemplified it. See "'Show Me The Money,' Notre Dame. Show Me The Money," on October 4, 2014 and "Kelly's Gold ... continued," on September 27, 2014 and "Notre Dame Pays Money to Underwear Designer for Football Uniforms," on September 13, 2014 and "Notre Dame Gold Belongs on the Dome. Leave it," on August 21, 2014 and "What Hath Kelly and Jenkins Wrought at Notre Dame?," on August 30, 2014.
You see, even such comparisons can be laid open to the criticism that they only represent a desire to return to days that have passed. If the concept of Notre Dame football players achieving high marks in class as well as on the field has "passed," then let us stop calling the place Notre Dame in that case.
Let's call it Kelly's academically challenged Heroes. Catchy don't you agree? Seriously, Notre Dame has certainly not stopped being Notre Dame because of artificial turf or because of the price tags on high school uniforms even though there was no non-financial reason for either change.
If Notre Dame Football like the University itself is not held to a higher standard, however, and if they do not maintain their standards, then turn out the lights and put up a "for sale" sign. If that happens, then as the old saying that was popular during my tenure at Notre Dame (and for all I know, that was popular beforehand and has been popular afterward) has it, "Happiness is the Golden Dome in the rear-view mirror."
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