Notre Dame Spirit – Go Irish!

It’s game day! Tonight’s BCS football game at 8pm CT where the undefeated Notre Dame will play Alabama is a dream come true for Irish lovers around the world.

new Adidas cover photo

This game is especially meaningful for fans who cherish the true spirit of Notre Dame, which embodies hope, faith, family, excellence, integrity, and service. For example, the team will wear the initials “DS” in a shamrock on the back of their helmets to honor the student videographer, Declan Sullivan, who died tragically during practice in their 2010 football season. Declan’s family will cheer on the Irish at the game. To heal from their loss, the University and his family founded the Declan Drumm Sullivan Memorial Fund. It supports causes such as the Chicago based Horizons for Youth, which helps under-privileged children graduate from high school by providing need-based scholarships, a summer program, mentoring, and college preparation.

To spread the Notre Dame spirit and share the tradition with the next generation, I co-wrote a kids’ picture book The Notre Dame Spirit. My co-author and good friend, Kristin Lenhart, our illustrator, Katie Mountford, and I refer to our book as our labor of love that reflects our shared passion for the spirit of Notre Dame. Corby Publishing printed our book this fall. In fact, Regis Philbin loves his copy and recently shared, “This terrific book captures the magic of the Notre Dame spirit that mesmerizes you on a home game Saturday or anytime on campus. It inspires you to do your best and be your best. The book is so entertaining with so much to see and so much to learn, and such wonderful memories for the rest of our lives. I’m sending my copy to my grandchildren.”

This story about dreams and determination is universal to children. It is about believing in something bigger than yourself, which pushes you to strive for excellence and do your best. Notre Dame fans embrace that spirit.

My grandfather was a Chicago policeman who was larger than life. His Notre Dame pride magnified the school’s mystique. Ironically, I later learned my Grandfather did not attend Notre Dame. He identified with the hope it represents as do many others who are not alumni. It is no wonder so many people love Notre Dame. It was a thrill for me to attend the University, write a book about it and cheer them on always.

Our story captures the spirit of Notre Dame through the eyes of a determined boy searching for its meaning on a football Saturday. From the very beginning of the story we experience the pageantry and excitement of game day, which is followed by a surreal walk around the campus grounds as he continues his quest. Despite his best friend’s insistence it does not exist, will he find it? Order your copy of the book today, which is available at Corby Books (www.corbypublishing.com), and for sale on campus in South Bend and Chicago at the Notre Dame Book Store at 224 South Michigan.

Go Irish! Beat Bama!